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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.
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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."
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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.
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Distribution
The flow of electricity from transmission facilities to homes and businesses.
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Electric Competition
When electric customers have the option to choose the company that supplies the energy they use.
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Electricity
power produced by changing other forms of energy such as fossil fuels, nuclear or renewable energy into electric current.
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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.
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ESCO
(Energy Services Company) Non-utility provider of electricity and/or natural gas.
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F.E.R.C.
(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.
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Fossil Fuel
Fuel, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, formed in the earth from plant or animal remains.
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Generation
The process of producing electricity by converting other forms of energy into electricity.
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Green
(see Renewable Energy)
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Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
The standard unit of measure for electric energy. One kilowatt-hour is one kilowatt of electricity supplied for one hour.
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Natural Gas
A combustible mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons used as a fuel for heating, cooking and generating hot water.
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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.
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Public Service Commission -(PSC)
The government agency with authority over utilities operating in its political jurisdiction.
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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).
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Renewable Energy
The energy generated from sources that renew with nature, such as wind, water, solar, and biomass used to produce cleaner electricity.
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Slamming
The unauthorized switching of service between companies, without the customer's consent to be switched.
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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.
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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.
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Therm
The standard unit of measure for natural gas energy.
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Transmission
The flow of electricity over high voltage wires from power plants to local distribution lines.
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