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Glossary of Terms

Not familiar with a term?  We've got you covered!

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

G

Gas

That state of matter which has neither independent shape nor volume. It expands to fill the entire container in which it is held. It is one of the three forms of matter, the other two being solid and liquid. 

Gas Central Furnace and Boiler Efficiency Measures

The annual efficiency ratings of furnaces and boilers based on average usage, including on and off cycling as determined by standardized Department of Energy test procedures.

Gas Central Furnace and Boiler Efficiency Measures

The annual efficiency ratings of furnaces and boilers based on average usage, including on and off cycling as determined by standardized Department of Energy test procedures.

Gas Cost Reconciliations (GCR)
The GCR is the reconciliation done each year to determine the amount under-collected or over-collected for the gas cost portion of the customers' bill during the year. That total amount is then divided by the projected sales for the next year and all customers see that result as the GCR Factor on their bill for the next 12 months.
Gas Demand Side Management Cost Adjustment Factor (G-DSMCA)

The G-DSMCA factor is used to recoup the cost of energy efficiency programs that Black Hills Energy expends in CO gas territories, such as furnace and water heater rebates. This small fee is approved each year by CO Gas Utilities Board and is applied to each Therm of gas consumed.

Gas Hedge Factor

A line-item fee on customers' invoices that helps protect against skyrocketing wholesale prices of natural gas. Black Hills Energy passes the actual cost of gas directly to customers without a mark-up in price.

Gas Imbalance

a. Producer/Producer - When one or more producers sell or utilize a volume of natural gas in excess of their gross working interest. b. Pipeline/Pipeline - When a pipeline receives a volume of natural gas and redelivers a larger or smaller volume of natural gas under the terms of a transportation agreement. c. Producer/Pipeline - When a producer delivers a volume of natural gas that is larger or smaller than the volume of natural gas that the pipeline redelivers for the producer’s account to another party.

Gas Inventory Charge (GIC)

A forward-looking mechanism for the current recovery of take-or-pay costs, established in Commission Order No.500. Section 2.105 sets forth the general guidelines for GICs. The GIC is intended to recover costs, on a current basis, associated with contractually committing gas service tailored to meet the customer’s nominations. GIC’s generally fall into two categories. Some GIC’s are cost based, that is, they are designed to recover certain identified costs, subject to a reconciliation mechanism. Other GIC’s are market based or market responsive. Market Based GIC commodity charges are based upon a measure of the current market price for gas. Market Based GIC demand charges are generally designed to recover any premiums which must be paid above the current market price for long term gas supply commitments. GIC charges generally are assessed either based on a customer’s nominated contract demand (Demand Based GIC) or on the amount by which the customer’s takes are less than a percentage of its nominations (Deficiency Based GIC). Prior to receiving authority to implement a Market Based GIC mechanism, the Commission must first find that the pipeline is operating in a market that is sufficiently competitive and that the pipeline’s firm transportation service is comparable in quality to its firm sales service. See COMPARABILITY OF SERVICE. 

Gas Research Institute (GRI)

An organization sponsored by a number of U.S. gas companies to investigate new sources of supply and new uses (applications) for natural gas.

Gas Systems Reliability Surcharge (GSRS)

Under statutes passed in 2006, Kansas natural gas utility companies are allowed to file a request to recover certain costs and earn a return on investments that have been made since each company’s last rate case. Eligible projects include those associated with maintaining a safe, reliable system. Also considered are the costs for relocating lines due to road projects, etc.

Gas Transported for Others

That volume of gas owned by another company received into and transported through any part of the transmission or distribution system under a transportation tariff. 

Gas, Manufactured

A gas obtained by destructive distillation of coal, or by the thermal decomposition of oil, or by the reaction of steam passing through a bed of heated coal or coke, or catalyst beds. Examples are coal gases, coke oven gases, producer gas, blast furnace gas, blue (water) gas, and carbureted water gas. Btu content varies widely. 

Gas, Natural

A naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and nonhydrocarbon gases found in porous geologic formations beneath the earth’s surface, often in association with petroleum. The principal constituent is methane. 1. Dry. Gas whose water content has been reduced by a dehydration process. Gas containing little or no hydrocarbons commercially recoverable as liquid product. Specified small quantities of liquids are permitted by varying statutory definitions in certain states. 2.Liquefied (LNG). See LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS. 3. Sour. Gas found in its natural state, containing such amounts of compounds of sulfur as to make it impractical to use, without purifying, because of its corrosive effect on piping and equipment. 4.Sweet. Gas found in its natural state, containing such small amounts of compounds of sulfur that it can be used without purifying, with no deleterious effect on piping and equipment. 5. Wet. Wet natural gas is unprocessed natural gas or partially processed natural gas produced from strata containing condensable hydrocarbons. The term is subject to varying legal definitions as specified by certain state statutes. (The usual maximum allowable is 7lbs./MMcf water content and .02 gallons/Mcf of Natural Gasoline.) 

Gathering Agreement

Agreement between a producer and a gathering system operator specifying the terms and conditions for entry of the producer’s gas into the gathering system. 

General Rate Schedule Adjustment (GRSA) or General Rate Adjustment (GRA)

A fixed base rate schedule increase of 7.976% for all electric service customers in Colorado. This rate increase remains in effect until Black Hills Energy’s next rate case. The rate increase does not apply to charges determined by the Energy Cost Adjustment (ECA) or Demand Side Management Cost Adjustment (DSMCA). This may be listed on customer bills a General Rate Adjm. II.

Gross Available Capacity (GAC)

The capacity at which a unit can operate with a reduction imposed by a derating.

Gross Dependable Capacity (GDC)

The gross maximum capacity (GMC), modified for seasonal limitation over a specific period.

Gross Maximum Capacity (GMC)

The maximum capacity of a unit sustainable over a period of time, unmodified by seasonal or other deratings. 

Did You Know?

You should inspect, clean or replace your air filter if it looks dirty every 30 days. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and be harmful to your equipment.

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