|
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Biomass Energy
The energy made from organic matter that is released when chemical
bonds are broken by microbial digestion, combustion, or decomposition.
Biomass energy is produced from dedicated crops grown for energy
production or through the use of organic waste.
Back to top |
|
Customer
Choice
The term used to describe the competitive market in which consumers
are allowed to choose the company that supplies their electricity
or natural gas. It is also referred to as "retail choice"
and "competition."
Back to top |
|
Deregulation
When government lifts the restrictions on a particular industry
or marketplace to encourage competition and ultimately bring savings
to the customer. In the case of energy services, a deregulated environment
means that non-utility providers are permitted to serve customers,
giving them the ability to choose natural gas and/or electricity
suppliers.
Back to top |
|
Distribution
The flow of electricity from transmission
facilities to homes and businesses.
Back to top |
|
Electric
Competition
When electric customers have the option to choose the company that
supplies the energy they use.
Back to top |
| |
Electricity
Power produced by changing other forms of energy such as fossil
fuels, nuclear or renewable energy into electric current.
Back to top |
| |
Energy
The measure of the quantity of units used in a given time period
measured in kilowatt-hours for electricity and therms for natural
gas.
Back to top |
| |
ESCO
(Energy Services Company) Non-utility provider of electricity and/or
natural gas.
Back to top |
| |
FERC
(Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) The Federal agency, which
regulates the rates charged by public utilities and is responsible
for regulating interstate electric power transmission and the sale
of electric power for resale.
Back to top |
| |
Fossil Fuel
Fuel, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, formed in the earth from
plant or animal remains.
Back to top |
| |
Generation
The process of producing electricity by converting other forms of
energy into electricity.
Back to top |
| |
Green
(see Renewable Energy)
Back to top |
| |
Kilowatt-hour
(kWh)
The standard unit of measure for electric energy. One kilowatt-hour
is one kilowatt of electricity supplied for one hour.
Back to top |
| |
Natural
Gas
A combustible mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons used as a fuel for
heating, cooking and generating hot water.
Back to top |
| |
Provider
of last resort
The legal obligation of utilities, to provide service to any customer
who requests it at any time. Also known as “default service
provider.” In the context of Customer Choice, a utility assigned
to this obligation must serve customers who have chosen to receive
service from an alternative electric supplier and for any reason
seek to return to utility service.
Back to top |
| |
Public Service
Commission (PSC)
The government agency with authority over utilities operating in
its political jurisdiction.
Back to top |
| |
RECs
(Renewable Energy Certificates) represent the environmental attributes
of the power produced from renewable energy projects. Customers
can buy them from a competitive energy marketer or energy services
company (ESCO).
Back to top |
| |
Renewable
Energy
The energy generated from sources that renew with nature, such as
wind, water, solar, and biomass used to produce cleaner electricity.
Back to top |
| |
Slamming
The unauthorized switching of service between companies, without
the customer's consent to be switched.
Back to top |
| |
Supplier
Any person or company that sells electric generation and/or distribution
services to retail customers. The term "supplier" may
include an aggregator, a broker, a distribution company, an ESCO,
or an electric utility.
Back to top |
| |
Surge
A very brief but extreme burst of extra energy, which can occur
on AC power lines, signal, telephone, or data lines. They are generated
every time wires, motors or electrical.
Back to top |
| |
Therm
A very brief but extreme burst of extra energy, which can occur
on AC power lines, signal, telephone, or data lines. They are generated
every time wires, motors or electrical.
Back to top |
| |
Transmission
The flow of electricity over high voltage wires from power plants
to local distribution lines.
Back to top |
