Timo Mehtälä, a first-term Member of Parliament from the Centre Party, has joined a heated discussion on social media regarding peat. He pointed out that the discourse is saturated with claims from various political factions, notably the Finns Party and the National Coalition Party. Mehtälä stresses the importance of addressing facts rather than opinions circulating online. This debate was ignited by recent critiques from Finance Minister Riikka Purra of the previous government's energy policies concerning peat, which prompted a strong reaction from Centre Party member Antti Kurvinen.

In his communication, Mehtälä provides a detailed overview of the current status of peat as an energy source, noting that many heating plants are moving away from peat usage due to high costs associated with emissions trading rights. Since the implementation of the EU emissions trading system in 2005, costs have risen significantly, impacting the economic viability of peat as an energy source. Mehtälä argues that the share of peat in Finland's overall energy production is under two percent, while its contribution to electricity generation is even below one percent.

The debate surrounding peat is particularly significant in Finland due to its unique energy needs and the ongoing discussions on sustainability and reducing emissions. As the nation transitions towards greener energy sources, the conversation about peat's role reveals deeper tensions between economic considerations and environmental responsibilities. Mehtälä’s intervention highlights the necessity of substantiating claims with data before making judgments about the future of energy policies in Finland, reinforcing the critical role that informed debate plays in political discourse.