Effective energy management in wastewater treatment plants involves understanding and controlling the specific costs of energy use. To save money, energy efficiency measures should be tailored to the plant's electricity costs. Developing a detailed cost profile over time helps in evaluating conservation options accurately. The focus should be on conserving energy, gathering load data, and using it to manage costs effectively. Adding instrumentation and considering internal electric generation can help in load management and reducing peak loads. Evaluating modest load deferral options is also important. A cost-based energy management approach allows for a combination of conservation and efficiency measures to work together effectively.