What are SLVWD's sources of greenhouse gas emissions?
As the chart below shows, SLVWD's largest source
of greenhouse gas emissions is electricity, which is used mostly
to operate our deep-water wells. SLVWD purchases our electricity
from PG & E, which includes both fossil-fuel and alternative
energy sources in its mix. Clearly, well-pumping is our largest
source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Comparing SLVWD’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions
from 2006, 2007 & 2008
The chart above shows the District’s greenhouse
gas emissions over the past three years, by source. 2008 emissions,
shown in yellow, include estimates for the Felton water system
for the entire year (a reporting requirement), even though the
District acquired that system in September 2008.
Mobile combustion
Note that mobile combustion from the District’s
vehicle fleet has increased slightly from year to year, especially
with the addition of the Felton system in 2008. This was primarily
due to increased driving to service the Felton area.
Stationary combustion
The District’s emissions from stationary combustion
are generated by natural gas and fuels to run generators. Note
that these emissions have remained relatively low and about the
same from 2006-2008.
Purchased electricity
Clearly, electricity is the source of most of the
District’s greenhouse gas emissions, and emissions have increased
significantly from 2006 through 2008. The large majority of the
District’s electricity, which is purchased from PG&E,
powers groundwater pumping and booster bumps.
Since 2006 was a wet year, groundwater pumping started
relatively late in the season, and demand was not as high.
Since 2007 was a very dry year, groundwater pumping
started relatively early in the season, and demand was high.
2008 was also a dry year, but not as dry as 2007.
Even though the District used about the same amount of electricity
in 2008 as it did in 2007, its greenhouse gas emissions increased
dramatically. This increase was the result of PG & E’s
change in its mix of electricity sources for that year, a factor
which the District has no control over.
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