Glossary of Terms

Choosing a supplier for utility service is similar to baking a cake. Knowing the ingredients makes doing the shopping a lot easier.

This glossary of terms will be your list of ingredients, letting you know the meaning of the common terms used in choosing a gas supplier.

Take some time to look over these definitions and keep this information handy when talking to a gas supplier or checking out a gas supply contract.

Click here for a comprehensive copy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's Glossary of terms.

Burner Tip
The point at which natural gas is used - such as a furnace, water heater or range.

Chapter 56
The PUC regulations that govern metering, billing and collections for residential gas and electricity service.

Ccf
100 cubic feet of gas. This is a measure of gas usage.

City Gate
The point where gas is delivered from a supplier/marketer to the local distribution company.

Commodity Charges
The charges for basic gas supply service which is sold either in cubic feet or dekatherms.

Customer Charge
A monthly charge to cover such local distribution company costs as maintaining lines, meter reading and billing.

Distribution Charge
The charges for the delivery of natural gas from the point of receipt into the natural gas distribution company's distribution system.

Dth
(Dekatherm)A measure of the heat content value of gas. Gas usage is determined by multiplying the Mcf used by the heat content value of the gas.

Gas Cost Adjustment Charges
The amount billed or credited each month to account for differences between projected and acutal gas supply costs of the natural gas distribution company.

Mcf
1,000 cubic feet of gas. This is a measure of gas usage.

Natural Gas Distribution Company (NGDC)
The owner of the gas lines and equipment necessary to deliver natural gas to the customer.

Natural Gas Supplier
An entity that sells natural gas to customers that is delivered through the distribution lines of a natural gas distribution company.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC)
The state regulatory agency that provides oversight, policy guidance and direction to public utilities and suppliers.

Storage
Placing natural gas into an underground facility for removal and use at a later date.

Transmission
The moving of natural gas through the interstate pipeline system for delivery to the natural gas distribution company.