Glossary
b.
Biogas
A mixture of gases produced by the decomposition of organic matter like agricultural waste and plant material.
British Thermal Units (BTU)
The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
c.
Callective
A natural gas marketing company. Callective buys gas from energy producers and marketers and in turn sells that gas to consumers.
Carbon Footprint
The amount of greenhouse gases generated by your actions, including all of the carbon emissions that enter the atmosphere from your individual decisions.
Centrum Cubic Feet (CCF)
A unit of measurement used to calculate the volume of natural gas consumed or delivered. One CCF is equal to the volume of 100 cubic feet. Although natural gas is often measured in therms, using CCF makes it simpler to calculate the volume of gas delivered. One CCF is equal to about 1.025 therms, so both units can be converted between each other easily.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
An alternative fuel produced by compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure. It can be used in place of gasoline, diesel fuel, and propane, mainly as a fuel for transportation or storage.
CPUC
California Public Utilities Commission.
d.
Deregulation
The removal of regulations or restrictions in an industry. For natural gas, this means you have the power to choose where your energy comes from.
f.
Fixed-Rate Plan
A rate that stays the same during a specific contract period.
Fracking
The process of drilling into the earth and using a high-pressure water mixture to release natural gas from rock formations for energy use.
l.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state for ease and safety of storage and transport. LNG is normally warmed to become natural gas for heating, electricity generation, and other industrial uses, or kept as a liquid as an alternative transportation fuel.
m.
MCF
A unit of measurement used to report the volume of natural gas consumed or delivered. The “M” stands for “thousand” and “CF” stands for “cubic feet.” One MCF is equal to 1,000 cubic feet, or about one million BTUs (British Thermal Units).
n.
Natural Gas
A fossil fuel consisting largely of methane. Natural gas is colorless and odorless in its natural state and, when burned, primarily produces carbon dioxide, water vapor, and small amounts of nitrogen oxides.
p.
Pacific Gas & Electric Company
The utility regulated by the CPUC. PG&E distributes natural gas on behalf of Callective and other marketers, maintains the gas pipeline system, and responds to leaks and other emergencies.
r.
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)
Natural gas created from renewable sources instead of fossil fuels. An example is gas from decomposing waste in landfills. After cleaning, this biogas becomes RNG and can be used like conventional natural gas, except it comes from renewable sources rather than fossil fuels.
Residential Customer / Consumer
Premises at which natural gas is consumed primarily for personal, family, or household use.
s.
Shale
Sedimentary rock that forms when silt and clay-size mineral particles are compacted and broken into thin, parallel layers.
Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG)
A type of gas created from coal through thermo-chemical conversion that can be used as a substitute where there may be a shortage of natural gas.
t.
Therm
A unit of heat energy. One therm is equivalent to 100,000 British thermal units (BTUs).
v.
Variable Rate Plan
A rate that fluctuates with the market during a specified contract period.
