Invoicing Terms

4 CP (4 Coincidental Peaks)

The 4 CP Demand applies to the transmission system related components of the TDU charges for ESI IDs with IDR meters. The 4 CP Demand is the average of the customer’s integrated 15 minute kW (or kVA) demands at the time of the monthly ERCOT system 15 minute peak kW demand for the months of June, July, August and September of the previous calendar year. The Retail Customer’s 4 CP Demand will be updated effective on January 1 of each calendar year and remain fixed throughout the calendar year.

Actual kW

The peak kW demand recorded by an electric meter for the billing service time period.

Adjusted Federal Income Tax Credit for Ike Restoration (ADFIT)

TDU credit for deferred federal income tax benefits associated with Hurricane Ike restoration costs (only applicable in CenterPoint’s service territory).

Adjustments

Changes made to your billed amount to correct errors from previous billing periods.

Advanced Meter Charge

A charge assessed to recover a TDU's charges for Advanced Metering Systems, to the extent that they are not recovered in a TDU's standard metering charge. Acceptable abbreviation: Advanced Meter.

Balance Forward

The amount you owe on your previous bills.

Base Charge

A charge assessed during each billing cycle without regard to the customer’s demand or energy consumption.

Billing kW

The peak kW plus adjustments for power factor and/or TDU ratchet.

Competition Transition Charge (CTC)

A charge assessed to recover a TDU’s charges for non-securitized costs associated with the transition to competition. Acceptable abbreviation: Competition Transition.

Contract Account Description

A customer defined description (entered online) for the account.

Customer Charge

TDU charge for the cost of billing REPs for the electric service of their customers.

Distribution System Charge

Charge that covers the TDU costs of transporting electricity from transmission facilities over distribution lines and through transformers to a customer’s service lines.

Demand Charge

A charge based on the rate at which electric energy is delivered to or by a system at a given instant, or averaged over a designated period, during the billing cycle.

Energy Charge

A charge based on the electric energy (kWh) consumed.

Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor (EECRF)

A charge assessed to recover a TDU’s costs for energy efficiency programs, to the extent that the TDU charge is a separate charge exclusively for that purpose that is approved by the Public Utility Commission. Acceptable abbreviation: Energy Efficiency.

Energy Tax

Those taxes specifically related to the Energy Charges.

ESI ID (Electric Service Identifier)

An identifier that the industry uses to uniquely identify the home, business or guard light location.

ESI ID Description

A customer defined description (entered online) for the ESI ID.

Hurricane Cost Recovery Factor

This is a charge from your TDU to cover the cost of repairs and restoration from hurricanes.

kW

Kilowatt, the standard unit for measuring electricity demand at a given instant, equal to 1,000 watts. [kW = watts/1000]

kWh

Kilowatt-hour, the standard unit for measuring electricity energy consumption over a period of time, equal to 1,000 watt-hours. [kWh = (watts x hours)/1000]

Late Payment Penalty

A charge assessed for late payment in accordance with Public Utility Commission rules.

Metering Charge

A charge assessed to recover a TDU’s charges for metering a customer’s consumption, to the extent that the TDU charge is a separate charge exclusively for that purpose that is approved by the Public Utility Commission.

Miscellaneous Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) Reimbursement

A fee assessed to recover the miscellaneous gross receipts tax imposed on retail electric providers operating in an incorporated city or town having a population of more than 1,000. Acceptable abbreviation: Gross Receipts Reimb.

NCP (Non-Coincidental Peak)

Applies to ESI IDs that use less than 700kW (or KVA). The NCP is synonymous with peak kW demand for a billing period.

Nuclear Decommisioning Charge

A charge assessed to recover a TDU’s charges for decommissioning of nuclear generating sites. Acceptable abbreviation: Nuclear Decommission.

Power Factor %

Power Factor is a measure of how effectively energy is used. Ideal power factor is 100% but most facilities typically have a power factor between 65% and 90%.

Previous Payments

Payments received related to bills issued for prior billing periods.

PUC Assessment

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

Rate Case Surcharge

TDU surcharge that reimburses the TDU for their expenses and the expenses of other interveners required to be paid by the TDU to participate in a rate case.

Sales Tax

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

Swing Charges

Settlement charges related to the quantity of kWh greater or less than the swing band identified in the contract for electric service.

Storm Recovery Charge

This is a charge from your TDU to cover the cost of repairs and restoration from storms.

Storm Recovery Tax Credit

A credit from your TDU for deferred federal income tax benefits associated with storm restoration costs.

System Benefit Fund

This is a required TDU charge that helps fund low-income assistance, customer education, and energy efficiency programs.

System Restoration Charge

TDU charge for the recovery of costs for replacing and repairing electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Ike (CenterPoint only).

Taxes

Taxes related to the Energy Charges on your bill.

TDU (Transmission Distribution Utility)

The utility that owns or operates the equipment or facilities that transmit or distribute electricity to your location. The TDU is also responsible for reading your meter, and setting prices related to your Distribution Company Charges (if applicable).

TDU Delivery Charges

The total amounts assessed by a TDU for the delivery of electricity to a customer over poles and wires and other TDU facilities not including discretionary charges.

TDU Tax

Tax related to the TDU Charges.

Total Amount Due

Total amount that you currently owe TXU Energy. It includes any unpaid amount from your previous statement plus the Total Current Charges (Customer Charge, Energy Charge, Sales Tax, and additional charges such as Late Fees, Surcharges, and Deferred Payment Plan Balance).

Total Bill Amount

The total owed (energy charges, delivery charges, and associated taxes) for a particular time period.

Transition Charge (TC1 & TC2)

This is a charge from the TDU to recover costs for moving from a regulated market to a competitive market. This charge is based on actual energy use.

Transmission Cost Recovery (TCRF)

Charge that covers the incremental cost of changes to the transmission system. TDUs are allowed to make changes to the TCRF twice a year on March 1st and September 1st. TCRF charges are reconciled when the TDU files for a complete rate case.

Transmission Distribution Surcharges

One or more TDU surcharge(s) on a customer's bill in any combination. Surcharges include charges billed as tariff riders by the TDU. Acceptable abbreviation: TDU Surcharges.

Transmission Service Charge

Charge that covers the cost of transporting electricity from generators over high voltage transmission lines to distribution facilities.

Transmission System Charge

TDU charge that covers the cost of transporting electricity from generators over high voltage transmission lines to distribution facilities.

Usage

The quantity of kWh used during a particular time period.