Accomplishments in FY1982 towards quantifying the energy potential of Michigan's organic soils (peat) are discussed. Five soil-geomorphic provinces have been delineated in the Upper Peninsula. Two were intensively sampled in 1981, and two in 1982. Results from 1982 investigations show that Province 2, initially believed to contain deposits totaling 570,000 acres, actually contains significantly fewer acres of organic soils, many of which are less than 4 feet thick to the underlying mineral matter. Province 5 also has smaller, thinner deposits than the available soil survey data suggested. The areas believed to have the greatest potential are in Province 3-Delta and Menominee counties, and that portion of Province 4 in Menominee County. Physical properties of organic soil materials from provinces samples in 1982 are presented. Only slight differences exist in the average ash contents between these areas. Most materials have ash contents in the 12 to 25% range. Two counties in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan were sampled in detail. Alpena County deposits were quite thin, averaging 64 centimeters (cm), while Roscommon County deposits averaged 120 cm. Neither county seems to contain large acreages that qualify as fuel-grade peat. Recently issued soils surveys for three other counties in the Lower Peninsula, Clare, Jackson, and Oakland, were sampled at a low intensity to demonstrate the use of this information source. It seems evident that, while photo-base soil surveys greatly facilitate locating deposits meeting surficial acreage requirements, many observations are needed to accurately measure the thickness of the organic soils. Some of these materials also contain excessive ash, especially near the surface of the deposits. 22 refs., 11 figs., 11 tabs.