Energy Baseline

• Many infrastructure-related greenhouse gas emissions arise from energy use, though the degree depends on the type of infrastructure and local variables.
• Review your system’s energy utility bills, for example, the electricity bills for a wastewater treatment plant, to determine the energy consumption, fuel sources, and cost. 
• Review other records to determine “normalizing” data – such as population served, capacity of system (e.g. gallons per day), etc. 
• If this is not an option, work with your colleagues to estimate baseline energy consumption using equipment ratings and operating times.  List your assumptions, and consider them when you calculate the actual results later.

Where possible, break down the energy baseline as follows:

• By system (water distribution, wastewater treatment).
• By energy source (fuel oil, natural gas, electricity, biodiesel).
• By energy end use (heating buildings, lighting, pumps and motors, vehicles, heating water).