When discussing environmental issues, technical terms can sometimes be intimidating and confusing. That’s why OUC has defined some frequently used words, technologies and jargon you’re likely to hear when talking about the environment.

Biodiesel fuel: A clean-burning alternative fuel produced from renewable resources such as new or used vegetables oils, animal fats and recycled cooking grease. Biodiesel produces fewer emissions compared to petroleum diesel.

Cap and Trade: A system that sets mandatory limits on pollution. The emissions allowed under the cap are divided into individual permits, and companies that reduce emissions can sell pollution credits to companies that cannot meet their allowance.

Carbon footprint: The effect human activities have on climate in terms of total amount of greenhouse gases produced. Typically measured in units of carbon dioxide emitted per year.

Carbon offset: The process of balancing a unit of carbon dioxide emissions with a product that saves or stores an equivalent amount of CO2. Carbon credits can be purchased through online retailers and trading platforms

Greenhouse gas: Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide gases and water vapor present in the atmosphere that trap heat from the sun and warm the Earth. They occur naturally and are also emitted when fossil fuels are burned

Hybrid vehicle: A vehicle that uses a combination of gasoline and electricity for propulsion, increasing efficiency and thereby reducing emissions.

Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC): A cutting-edge technology that turns coal into a synthetic gas that is burned to produce electricity. The IGCC process substantially reduces certain emissions as compared to conventional coal-fired power plants and increases the amount of electricity that can be generated from a given amount of coal.

Landfill gas: Gas that is produced when organic waste materials naturally decompose in a solid waste landfill. The gas can be collected and used as a fuel for generating electricity.

Net metering: Method of measuring the energy produced and consumed at a home or business. For an OUC customer who generates more than is used, the surplus electricity will run the meter backward and any monthly excess will be credited to the customer's account.

Renewables: Generally refers to electricity supplied by energy sources that are naturally and continually replenished, such as wind, solar power, geothermal, hydropower and land fill gas.

Solar photovoltaic: A device that converts sunlight directly into electricity.