Electric Utility Glossary

Current Meter Read

The meter reading at the end of the period for which the customer is being billed

Previous Meter Read

The meter reading at the beginning of the period for which the customer is being billed

kW – Kilowatt

The standard unit for measuring electricity demand, equal to 1,000 watts

kWh – Kilowatt-hour

The standard unit for measuring electricity energy consumption, equal to 1,000 watt-hours

Energy Charge

Any charge, other than a tax or other fee, that is assessed on the basis of the customer’s energy consumption

Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor

A charge approved by the Public Utility Commission to recover the electric utility’s cost of providing energy efficiency programs

Power Cost Recovery Factor (PCRF)

A charge approved by the Public Utility Commission to recover the electric utility’s cost of purchasing the power needed to provide electricity to our members

Fuel Charge

A charge approved by the Public Utility Commission for the recovery of the utility’s costs for the fuel used to generate electricity

Meter Number

The number assigned by the utility to the customer’s meter

Meter Charge

A charge approved by the Public Utility Commission for metering a customer’s consumption

Miscellaneous Gross Receipts Fee

A fee assessed to recover the miscellaneous gross receipts tax imposed on utilities operating in an incorporated city or town having a population of more than 1,000

Municipal Franchise Fee

A fee assessed to compensate municipalities for the utility’s use of public rights-of-way

Advanced Metering Charge

A charge to recover the costs of an advanced metering system

Nuclear Decommissioning Fee

A charge approved by the Public Utility Commission to provide funds for the decommissioning of nuclear-generating sites.

PUC Assessment

A fee assessed to recover the statutory fee for administering the Public Utility Regulatory Act

Sales Tax

Sales tax collected by authorized taxing authorities, such as the state, cities, and special purpose districts