| Independent System Operator (ISO) |
Default Power Service: A safety net service designed to provide energy for short periods of time. However, there is no limit on the length of time you may remain on this service. Default power service will always be available to ensure that consumers receive uninterrupted power when they switch from one energy supplier to another. If for any reason consumers are temporarily without an energy supplier or, in some cases, if they choose not to choose an energy supplier, they will automatically receive default power service.
Demand Side Management: This term refers to energy conservation and efficiency programs developed for and used by residential and business consumers to reduce their use of electric energy.
Disclosure: A requirement placed on energy suppliers to provide information to customers on their prices, terms of service, power sources, air emissions and environmental impacts.
Distribution: The process of delivering electricity from the electric distribution system to a consumer's home or business over local electric lines.
Divestiture: A process of removing a utility function, such as distribution or generation, from other utility functions by selling the ownership of assets related to that function. This is most commonly used in reference to a utility's sale of generating facilities.
Electric Distribution Company: A company regulated by the Commission that owns the poles and wires used to deliver power to a consumer. This company will continue to deliver electricity to homes and businesses and make repairs when the power goes out. These companies are the former local electric utilities.
Energy Conservation: Reducing the amount of energy used, for example, through the use of energy efficient lighting and appliances, turning off lights and appliances when not in use and using insulation and weather stripping. This may also be referred to as energy efficiency.
Energy Suppliers: Companies that sell energy to consumers in a competitive market. They may generate the power themselves or re-sell power generated by someone else. They may also be referred to as competitive energy suppliers, energy service providers, generation companies, power marketers and power brokers.
Generation: The process of making electricity. The term may also refer to energy supply.
Generation Company: A company that owns and/or operates and maintains power generation plants. May also be referred to as a power company.
Green Power: Environmental impacts from power plants differ greatly depending on how the electricity is produced and what pollution controls are used during production. "Green power" refers to electricity produced in ways that are generally considered to have less harmful environmental impacts.
Independent System Operator (ISO): The organization responsible for matching the electricity dispatched within the regional electric grid to the customer demand for electricity, to ensure customers receive uninterrupted power. The ISO operates on a regional basis, serving the New England states.
Kilowatt-hour (kwh): A basic unit for measuring energy. Typically, the amount you pay for energy is based on the number of kilowatt-hours you use per month.
Municipal utility: A utility owned and operated by a city or town for its residents, which is exempt from Commission regulation. Municipalities may choose to participate in the retail electric market or not. Municipal utilities exist in Ashland, Littleton, New Hampton, Wolfeboro and Woodsville.
Power Broker: An entity that acts as an intermediary for the sale of power.
Power Marketer: An entity that buys and sells power generated by others.
Public Utilities Commission: The state agency with responsibility for regulating public utilities in New Hampshire. The Commission will continue to regulate the rates charged by the electric distribution companies to deliver electricity to your home or business. The Commission will also monitor the electric industry to ensure safe, reliable service and provide consumer protection.
Stranded Costs: Costs resulting from financial obligations that a utility would not be able to recover in a competitive market.
System Benefits Charge: A charge on a consumer's bill from an electric distribution company to pay for the costs of certain public benefits such as low-income assistance and energy efficiency.
Transition Service: When consumer choice begins, consumers who do not immediately select an energy supplier will receive transition service. Transition service will only be available for a limited time. It is designed to allow consumers to become familiar with the competitive energy market before selecting an energy supplier.
Transmission: The process of delivering electricity from generation plants to the electric distribution system over high voltage power lines.
Unbundling: The separation of electric service into its components - generation, transmission and distribution. These components will be listed as line items on your electric bill or you may receive two separate bills, one for generation and one for the delivery of your electricity.
