§2602 Definitions

Summary

Gives short meanings for important words used in the Act. Each word below is named and then explained in one short line. Antitrust laws — the main federal antitrust and related trade statutes listed in the Act. Class — a group of electricity customers with similar usage. Commission — the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Electric utility — any person or government body that sells electricity. Electric consumer — any person or government body that buys electricity to use, not to resell. Evidentiary hearing — a public, recorded proceeding where people can present and challenge evidence; federal agencies follow parts of title 5 and other entities should follow similar rules when appropriate. Federal agency — an executive agency under federal law. Load management technique — any method (not time-of-day or seasonal rates) that lowers peak demand, such as remote control systems, interruptible service, storage, or load-limiting devices. Nonregulated electric utility — any utility not regulated by a State. Rate — any price, charge, rule, practice, or contract for selling electricity to a customer. Ratemaking authority — power to set or change rates. Rate schedule — the listing of rates a utility charges. Sale — includes any exchange of electric energy. Secretary — the Secretary of Energy. State — a State, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico. State agency — a State or its subdivision or an agency of either. State regulatory authority — the State agency that sets utility rates (or the Tennessee Valley Authority where it has that power). State regulated electric utility — a utility whose rates are set by a State regulatory authority. Integrated resource planning — a utility planning process that compares all resource options (new plants, purchases, conservation, cogeneration, renewables) and considers reliability, risk, and verifiable, long-term savings to get reliable service at the lowest system cost. System cost — all direct, measurable net costs of an energy resource over its life, including production, delivery, waste, and environmental compliance. Demand side management — includes load management techniques.