Glossary of terms (D-M)
[ Terms A-C] [Terms N-Z]
Degree Days: A measure of the coldness of weather to determine heating requirements. Degree days for a 24-hour period are calculated by adding the days high and low temperatures and dividing by two, and subtracting the result from a reference point, usually 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dekatherm (Dth): A unit of heating value used by some suppliers for billing purposes.
Demand: The rate at which natural gas is required for a certain period of time.
Distribution Charge: The fee for gas delivery service provided by a local distribution company when a customer buys gas from a supplier/marketer. If a customer buys the gas from a supplier/marketer, the local distribution company delivers the gas to them through its pipeline to the meter.
Deregulation: Removal or relaxation of rules or controls governing a business or service operation such as utilities.
Distribution Main: Lines, services and equipment which carry or control the supply of gas from the point of local supply to and including the customers meters.
End User: The natural gas consumer
FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The government body that exercises jurisdiction over interstate pipeline companies.
Firm Service: A non-interruptible gas contract required for all customers with essential human needs (e.g. hospitals, health-care facilities and residences).
Human Needs: End-user where life is threatened if natural gas for winter heating is not available, e.g., homes, hospitals, health-care facilities.
Imbalance fee: The charge assessed to a supplier/marketer when the amount of natural gas nominated (purchased)does not equal the amount of natural gas used.
Interruptible service: An agreement which allows the local distribution company to temporarily halt the distribution of natural gas to a customer whose marketer did not deliver the gas to Columbia, so that Columbia can meet the demands of its firm service customers
LIHEAP: Low income heating and energy assistance program. A federally funded program providing dollars to aid in heating homes of low-income eligible consumers.
LDC: Local Distribution Company which owns and operates the pipeline that delivers natural gas to the consumer.
Marketer: Any entity, other than the LDC, that sells natural gas to customers. Also known as a supplier or broker.
Mcf: 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas. A unit of measure for the volume of gas used.
Merchant Function: A packaged service where the utility supplies the natural gas and delivers the gas to your home. Currently this service includes the cost of gas, transportation, and delivery. Also known as bundled service.
Meter: The mechanical device that measures the amount of gas delivered.
Information provided by the A.G.A.
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