The recognition by water utilities of their contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions and climate change through consumption of energy produced by fossil
fuels is one driver for water utilities to reduce energy consumption. The
recognition is driven by the adoption of climate policies by states and regions
across the United States. These actions include the development of regional GHG
reduction markets, the creation of state and local climate action and adaptation
plans, and increasing renewable energy generation. Currently at least 18 states
have GHG emission targets, which are emission reduction levels that states
set out to achieve by a specified time. There are also at least half a dozen
regional initiatives that encompass intra-state areas. Over the past few years,
a number of the regional initiatives have begun developing systems to reduce
carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, increase renewable energy
generation, track renewable energy credits, and research and establish baselines
for carbon sequestration.
The increasing
cost of energy and increasing energy consumption are additional drivers for
drinking water and wastewater utilities to reduce energy consumption. Energy use
at drinking water utilities can represent a major component of operating costs,
consuming as much as 35 percent of a utility’s annual operating budget. Energy
costs continue to increase with unstable energy prices and increased energy use
by utilities. Drinking water utilities continue to implement advanced treatment
processes such as nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, ozonation, and ultraviolet
radiation. Advanced treatment processes are often necessary to meet the
requirements of more stringent drinking regulations and to treat source waters
of marginal quality, but are inherently more energy-intensive than conventional
treatment.