### Question
What does baseline mean?


### Answer
**Baseline** has the following meaning in *42 U.S.C. § 7651a*:

> the annual quantity of fossil fuel consumed by an affected unit, measured in millions of British Thermal Units ("mmBtu's"), calculated as follows:


(A) For each utility unit that was in commercial operation prior to January 1, 1985, the baseline shall be the annual average quantity of mmBtu's consumed in fuel during calendar years 1985, 1986, and 1987, as recorded by the Department of Energy pursuant to Form 767

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 7651a*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 85-AIR POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL > SUBCHAPTER IV&ndash;A-ACID DEPOSITION CONTROL**

