Glossary of Terms
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Btu British Thermal Unit
Cf Cubic Feet
Ccf 100 Cubic Feet
Mcf 1,000 Cubic Feet
Th Therm
Dth Dekatherm
MMBtu 1,000,000 Btu
AFUE
(Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency); an estimate of annual fuel usage. For a typical house under average conditions. The estimate is based on computerized procedures required by the U.S. Department of Energy. From manufacturers' certified tests of specific models of heating units.
AGA
American Gas Association
Aggregation
The process by which several smaller gas customers are grouped together under a supplier to meet the minimum consumption requirement. The group allows the supplier to request and deliver gas for the group rather than each customer.
Allocating Capacity
The process of assigning a quantity of pipeline capacity to individual customer to meet their peak day requirements.
Balancing
The matching of gas deliveries with actual consumption over a defined time period.
BTU
One Btu is the quantity of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit from 58.5 to 59.5 degrees under standard pressure of 30 inches of mercury at or near its point of maximum density. One Btu equals 252 calories, 778 foot pounds, 1,055 joules or 0.293 watt hours.
BTUH
British Thermal Unit per Hour
Bundled Service
Providing a unit of gas to the customer at a price that includes the cost of gas and all associated transportation, balancing and storage costs to deliver it.
Capacity
The volume of gas which can be moved through the pipeline or stored in a storage facility over a period of time. The amount pipeline capacity reserved for a customer is determined by contract.
City Gate
The transfer point at which upstream pipelines connect to the Corning Natural Gas distribution system.
Conversion Factors
The following are the units of measure and natural gas equivalents in British thermal units (Btu). One Btu is the quantity of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit from 58.5 to 59.5 degrees under standard pressure of 30 inches of mercury at or near its point of maximum density. One Btu equals 252 calories, 778 foot pounds, 1,055 joules or 0.293 watt hours.
1 Cubic Foot (Cf) = 1,000 Btu = .0103Th
100 Cubic Feet (Ccf) = 100,000 Btu = 1.03Th
1,000 Cubic Feet (Mcf) = 1,000,000 Btu = 1.03 Dth
DCQ
Daily Contract Quantity, the amount of gas necessary for a customer's daily needs. The DCQ is calculated by Corning Natural Gas for each aggregate group on a monthly basis.
Degree Day
A measure of the coldness of the weather experienced, based on the extent to which the daily average temperature falls below a reference temperature, usually 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dual Fuel Capability
A customer's ability to convert to another source of fuel on short notice.
Excess Upstream Capacity
Pipeline capacity over and above what is required to satisfy customer's peak day needs.
Firm Capacity
Upstream pipeline capacity reserved to meet customer's peak day needs. Firm capacity may be classified as either recallable or non-recallable. Non-recallable capacity cannot be interrupted. Recallable capacity may lose its "firmness" at some point in time and be interrupted.
Forecasting
A process to estimate a customer's future consumption needs for some future time period.
Franchise
The service territory within which Corning Natural Gas has been permitted to operate.
Hedging
A method of minimizing the impact of price changes
Hub
Location where pipelines intersect enabling the trading, transportation, storage, exchange and lending of natural gas.
Human Needs Customer
Any customer who supplies a critical service for which energy service cannot be interrupted (e.g. hospital, nursing home, etc.). A customer who uses gas for heating who cannot accept an interruption in service because such an interruption would constitute a serious threat to human life.
Imbalance Trading
A process by which gas customers can acquire gas from, or sell gas to, other customers to minimize or avoid Cash-out. One would want to reconcile their actual gas usage through imbalance trading first. The intent of imbalance trading is to balance gas deliveries with gas consumption.
LDC
Local Distribution Company, a company which provides the distribution service from the city gate to customer premises. Corning Natural Gas Corporation is an LDC.
Market-Based Rates
Rates set, by class or individually, against the price of the next available competitive alternative.
Nomination
The process of scheduling gas deliveries to an LDC city gate.
Nomination/Delivery Control
The process by which a customer's gas needs are defined, communicated, schedules, and monitored via a collaborative effort by customer's supplies and Corning Natural Gas.
OFO
Operational Flow Order, an order issued by the utility to invoke a series of tight operating conditions so as to insure the reliability of the gas system.
Peak Day
Any date when greatest gas use is expected.
Processing
Removing excess moisture and erroneous hydro-carbons from the natural gas to a point where it is deemed suitable for transport on the pipeline.
Production
The process of removing natural gas supplies from gas well and introducing it into a pipeline or gathering system.
SEER
(Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio); for cooling, the ratio of Btuh divided by Watts for the entire cooling season.
Service Agreement
The contract between a customer or supplier and Corning Natural Gas which specifies the service provided, and the responsibilities with respect to a particular tariff.
Service Classification
The identification code assigned to identify a type of customer service as defined by the tariff.
Tariff
The document which defines the terms and conditions of service as filed and approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Tariff Gas
The additional gas sold to a customer if the total amount of gas needed exceeds their original estimate.
Throughput
The sum of volumes of gas sold and volumes of gas transported for customers.
Transition Costs
Costs being passed on to utilities from interstate pipeline companies as a result of the federally-mandated restructuring of the natural gas pipeline industry.
Transportation Gas
The movement of gas for third parties through pipeline facilities for a fee.
Unbundled Service
The separation of services, such as transportation, storage and gathering, with rates charged that reflect cost of each service.
Underground Storage
The injection of large quantities of natural gas into underground rock formations for storage during period of low market demand and withdrawal during periods of high market demand.
Weather Normalization
A clause in utility rates which adjusts customer costs to reflect normal temperatures. If temperatures during the measured period are warmer than normal, customers receive a surcharge. If temperatures during the measured period are colder than normal, customers receive a credit.