Con Edison - The Power of Green

Green Glossary



	Click on the term to view the description. Acid Rain Rain (and snow) that contains a heavy concentration of sulfuric and nitric acids. Acid rain can contaminate lakes, rivers, and streams; harm wildlife; damage crops; and corrode buildings and other structures. Afforestation Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained forests. Air Pollutant Any natural or artificial substance in air that could, in high enough concentration, harm humans, animals, vegetation, or material. Air pollutants can be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, gases, or any combination thereof. Air Quality Standards Standards set by law that may not be exceeded for selected pollutants in ambient air. These standards set limits on the amount of pollutants that industries and motor vehicles can emit. Airborne Particulates Fine liquid or solid particles in the air such as dust, smoke, emissions from industrial processes, products from burning wood, coal, and engine fuels, and reactions to gases in the atmosphere. Ambient Air Outside, open, or unconfined air. Anthropogenic Of, relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature. Usually used in the context of greenhouse gas emissions produced as a result of human activities. Best Available Control Technology (BACT) Technology that meets or exceeds the most current technology available to reduce or minimize pollution. BACT is required under the federal New Source Review (NSR) permitting program to ensure that new or modified power plants, industrial boilers, and factories will be as clean as possible and won’t significantly worsen air quality. Biodegradable The ability of a substance to be broken down physically and/or chemically by microorganisms. Wood, for example, is biodegradable, while plastics are not. Biodiversity The number and variety of organisms in the ecological complexes in which they naturally occur. It includes different ecosystems, species, and genes that must be present for a healthy environment. Wide biodiversity is conducive to the development of all species. Biomass Energy Energy derived from wood, wood wastes, other organic wastes, landfill gas, and animal and human wastes. Biosphere The part of the Earth and its atmosphere that can support life. Brownfields A property whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse is complicated by actual or potential environmental contamination. By-product Something produced in an industrial or biological process in addition to the principal product; a secondary or unexpected or unintended result. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) An odorless, colorless greenhouse gas created by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), solid waste, trees, and wood products. It is also created by some chemical reactions, such as the manufacture of cement. Human-generated CO₂ makes up about 80 percent of all human-made greenhouse gas emissions and is the main cause of climate change. Carbon Dioxide Equivalent A measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential (GWP). Carbon dioxide equivalents are commonly expressed as "tons of carbon dioxide equivalents." The carbon dioxide equivalent for a gas is derived by multiplying the tons of the gas by the associated GWP. Carbon Footprint A measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide equivalents. Carbon Monoxide A colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas commonly created during combustion. Carbon Sequestration The removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees and plants, for example, absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and store the carbon. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) were at one time biomass and continue to store the carbon until burned. Carbon Tax A charge on fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) based on their carbon content. When burned, the carbon in these fuels becomes carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a significant greenhouse gas. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Stable, artificially created chemical compounds containing carbon, chlorine, fluorine, and sometimes hydrogen. CFCs, used primarily to facilitate cooling in refrigerators and air conditioners, deplete the stratospheric ozone layer that protects the Earth and its inhabitants from excessive ultraviolet radiation. CFCs are strong greenhouse gases. Climate Change Any significant change in measures of climate, such as temperature, precipitation, or wind, lasting for an extended period (decades or longer). Climate change may result from: Natural factors, such as changes in the sun's intensity or slow changes in the Earth's orbit around the sun. Natural processes within the climate system (e.g., changes in ocean circulation). Human activities that change the atmosphere's composition (e.g., through burning fossil fuels) and the land surface (e.g., deforestation, afforestation, urbanization, and desertification). See also "Global Warming." Closed-loop Recycling When a used product is recycled into a similar product; a recycling system in which a particular mass of material is remanufactured into the same product (e.g., glass bottles into glass bottles). Cogeneration The use of a heat engine or a power station to simultaneously generate both electricity and useful heat. Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb (CFL) An efficient form of lighting that uses 75 percent less electricity than a standard bulb and lasts up to 10 times longer. Comparative Risk Analysis An environmental decision-making tool used to systematically measure, compare, and rank environmental problems or issue areas. The process typically focuses on the risks a problem poses to human health, the natural environment, and quality of life, and results in a list or lists of issue areas ranked in terms of relative risk. Compost A mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter, including food wastes and paper and yard wastes, and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land; to convert organic matter to compost. Condensing Furnace/Boiler A furnace or boiler that condenses the water vapor produced in the combustion process and uses the heat from this condensation. Condensing gas furnaces or boilers are generally 10 to 15 percent more efficient than conventional units. Conservation Preservation and protection of something, especially natural resources. Contaminant Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance that has an adverse effect on air, water, or soil. Cradle-to-Cradle Describes a material or product that is recycled into a new product at the end of its defined life. Decay Rate The rate of declining emissions of a product over time. Deep-well Injection Deposition of raw or treated filtered hazardous waste by pumping it into deep wells, where it is contained in the pores of permeable subsurface rock. Deforestation Practices or processes that result in the conversion of forested lands for nonforest uses. Deforestation is one of the major causes of climate change because the burning or decomposition of the wood releases carbon dioxide, and trees that once removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are no longer present. Demand-side Waste Management Process whereby consumers use purchasing decisions to communicate to product manufacturers that they prefer environmentally sound products packaged with the least amount of waste, made from recycled or recyclable materials, and containing no hazardous substances. Dioxin Any of several environmentally polluting organic compounds that occur especially as by-products of various industrial processes, like manufacturing pesticide and paper, and incinerating waste. Disposal Final placement or destruction of toxic, radioactive, or other wastes; surplus or banned pesticides or other chemicals; polluted soils; and drums containing hazardous materials from removal actions or accidental releases. Disposal may be accomplished through use of approved secure landfills, surface impoundments, land farming, deep-well injection, ocean dumping, or incineration. Ecology A branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environment. Ecosystem An interconnected and symbiotic grouping of animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms that sustains life through biological, geological, and chemical activity. Embodied Energy The amount of energy used in the construction, production, and transportation of materials. Emission Controls Any measures that reduce emissions into air, water, or soil. The most effective emission controls involve the redesign of the process so less waste is produced at the source. Common emission controls are wastewater treatment plants, stack scrubbers, and in-plant, solid-waste reduction programs. Emission Factor Quantity of a substance or substances released from a given area or mass of a material at a set point in time; e.g., milligrams per square meter per hour. Emissions The release of gases, liquids, and/or solids from any process or industry. Liquid emissions are also referred to as effluents. Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) The energy output of an appliance related to its energy consumption. The higher the number, the more efficient the appliance. EnergyGuide Label A yellow label on most new appliances that tells you how much electricity the appliance uses and estimates how much it will cost to operate. The EnergyGuide label helps compare the efficiency of different major appliances. More information about the EnergyGuide label is available at www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/shopping_guide.html. ENERGY STAR® A joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that identifies energy efficient products and practices. ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances use 10 to 50 percent less electricity than standard models. A list of ENERGY STAR-qualified products is available at www.energystar.gov. Environmental Footprint The environmental impact of a company or other industrial entity determined by the amount of depletable raw materials and nonrenewable resources it consumes to make its products, and the quantity of wastes and emissions that are generated in the process. Traditionally, for a company to grow, the footprint had to get larger. Today, finding ways to reduce the environmental footprint is a priority for leading companies. Environmental Impact Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from human activity, industry, or natural disasters. Estuary A bay or inlet, often at the mouth of a river, in which large quantities of freshwater and seawater mix together. These unique habitats are necessary nursery grounds for many marine fishes and shellfishes. Exposure Radiation or pollutants that come into contact with living organisms, most commonly through the skin, mouth, or by inhalation, and present a potential health threat. Fly Ash A powdery material made up of tiny glass spheres and consists primarily of silicon, aluminum, iron, and calcium oxides. It is a byproduct of burning coal at electric generation plants. Fossil Fuel Coal, oil, and natural gas: fuels derived from long-buried decomposed plants and animals. Fossil fuels provide more than 85 percent of all the energy consumed in the United States, nearly two-thirds of our electricity, and virtually all of our transportation fuels. Burning fossil fuels creates greenhouse gases, the principal cause of global warming and climate change. Geothermal Power Electricity derived from heat found under the Earth’s surface. Resources of geothermal energy range from the shallow ground to hot water and hot rock found a few miles beneath the Earth's surface, and down even deeper to the extremely high temperatures of molten rock called magma. Geothermal power is clean and sustainable. Global Warming An average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth's surface, which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns. Global warming has a variety of causes, both natural and human induced, but most often refers to the warming caused by human-generated greenhouse gas emissions. See also "Climate Change." Green Design A design, usually architectural, incorporating environmentally sound principles of building, material, and energy use. A green building, for example, might use solar panels, skylights, and recycled building materials. Green-e A national, independent, consumer-protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green-e certifies and verifies renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation products. Green-e Energy is a voluntary certification program for renewable energy. More information is available at www.green-e.org. Green Power Electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind, sun, water, or biomass. Generating green power doesn’t produce greenhouse gases. Green Roof A roofing system that consists of vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. Green roofs can be used in many applications, including industrial facilities, residences, and offices. They are widely used for their storm-water management and energy-savings potential, as well as their aesthetic benefits. Greenhouse Effect The warming of the Earth's atmosphere as a result of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. A natural phenomenon that makes life possible on Earth, the greenhouse effect is exacerbated by the increase in human-generated greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide. Human-generated greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Any gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. The main GHGs caused by human activities are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆). Human-generated GHGs – particularly CO₂, which makes up about 80 percent of all human-made GHG emissions – are the main cause of climate change. H-axis Washing Machine (Tumble Washing Machine) A front-loading washing machine that uses a tumble-action washing method. These machines have been shown to use much less energy and water, and cause less wear and tear on clothes, than top-loading machines. Habitat The natural home of an animal or plant, or the sum of the environmental conditions that determine the existence of a community in a specific place. Heat Pumps Heat pumps extract heat from either the air or ground and transfer that heat by circulating a refrigerant through a cycle of alternating evaporation and condensation. The cycle can be reversed for cooling. The efficiency of an air-source heat pump varies tremendously with climate, while ground-source heat pumps take advantage of stable ground temperatures to deliver consistent performance. A heat pump is generally twice as efficient as a standard furnace. Hydrocarbons (HC) Chemical compounds that consist entirely of carbon and hydrogen. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Powerful greenhouse gases emitted as by-products of industrial processes and used in manufacturing. HFCs, perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) are fluorinated gases that are sometimes called high global warming potential (GWP) gases because of their potency. Hydroelectric Power Electricity generated by falling water. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) The condition of the air inside buildings, including the extent of pollution caused by smoking, dust, mites, mold spores, radon, and gases and chemicals from materials and appliances. Integrated Waste Management The complementary use of a variety of practices to handle solid waste safely and effectively. Techniques include source reduction, recycling, composting, combustion, and landfilling. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) A scientific body established by the United Nations Environment Program and the World Meteorological Organization to provide objective information about climate change. The IPCC assesses the latest scientific, technical, and socioeconomic literature produced worldwide relevant to climate change. Hundreds of scientists all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC as authors, contributors, and reviewers. More information is available at www.ipcc.ch. Kilowatt-hour (kWh) The work performed by one kilowatt of electric power in one hour. The unit on which the price of electrical energy is based. A 100-Watt light bulb operating for 1,000 hours would use 100 kWh. Landfills (Sanitary) Disposal sites for nonhazardous solid wastes spread in layers, compacted to the smallest practical volume, and covered by material applied at the end of each operating day. Landfills (Secure) Disposal sites for hazardous waste, selected and designed to minimize the chance of release of hazardous substances into the environment. Life Cycle of a Product All stages of a product's development, from extraction of fuel for power to production, marketing, use, and disposal. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Natural gas that is liquefied by reducing its temperature to minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit. Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel, producing fewer emissions than coal or oil. Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) Ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, normal butane, butylene, and isobutane produced at refineries or natural-gas processing plants, including plants that fractionate raw natural gas plant liquids. Load Management Utility activities designed to influence the timing and amount of electricity that customers may use. Load Shifting A type of load management that shifts electricity use from periods of peak to off-peak demand. Manufactured Gas Plant A facility that operated throughout the United States from the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s to provide gas for lighting, heating, cooking, and other purposes. The facility used a variety of processes to make gas by heating coal and/or oil. A by-product of this method is known as coal tar. Mass Spectrum Characteristic fingerprint of a substance, which makes its identification possible. Methane (CH₄) A colorless, nonpoisonous, flammable greenhouse gas emitted during the production and transportation of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil). Livestock and other agricultural practices and the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills also emit methane. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that apply to outdoor air throughout the country. Natural Gas A fossil fuel made up of a mixture of gases, primarily methane. Natural gas is naturally odorless and colorless: for safety reasons, natural gas companies add a chemical odorant so leaking gas can be detected. Nitric Oxide (NO) A gas formed by combustion under high temperature and high pressure in an internal combustion engine, and then converted by sunlight and photochemical processes in ambient air to nitrogen oxides. Nitric oxide is a precursor to ground-level ozone pollution, or smog. Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x) The generic term for a group of highly reactive gases, all of which contain nitrogen and oxygen in varying amounts. Nitrogen oxides are air pollutants emitted when fuel is burned at high temperatures, as in a combustion process. The primary manmade sources of NO_x are motor vehicles, electric utilities, and other industrial, commercial, and residential sources that burn fuels. Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) A powerful greenhouse gas emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, especially the use of commercial and organic fertilizers, and from the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and solid waste. Nonrenewable Energy Energy derived from fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), which exist in limited quantities on the Earth. Nonrenewable Resource A resource that cannot be replaced in the environment (i.e., fossil fuels) because it forms at a rate far slower than its consumption. Nuclear Power Electricity generated using uranium fuel, consisting of solid ceramic pellets, through a process called fission. Nuclear power does not produce greenhouse gas emissions but does produce highly toxic radioactive wastes. Open-loop Recycling A recycling system in which a product made from one type of material is recycled into a different type of product (e.g., used newspapers into toilet paper). The product receiving recycled material itself may or may not be recycled. Organic Compound Vast array of substances typically characterized as principally carbon and hydrogen, but that may also contain oxygen, nitrogen, and a variety of other elements as structural building blocks. Ozone Depletion Destruction of the Earth's ozone layer, which can be caused by the photolytic breakdown of certain chlorine- and/or bromine-containing compounds (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons), which catalytically decompose ozone molecules. Ozone Hole A thinning break in the ozone layer. Designation of the amount of such depletion as an "ozone hole" is made when the detected amount of depletion exceeds 50 percent. Seasonal ozone holes have been observed over the Antarctic and Arctic regions, part of Canada, and the extreme northeastern United States. Ozone Layer The protective layer in the atmosphere about 12 to 15 miles above sea level that absorbs some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays and reduces the amount of potentially harmful radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. Ozone A gas that occurs both in the Earth's upper atmosphere and at ground level. Ground-level ozone is an air pollutant that is harmful to breathe and damages crops, trees, and other vegetation. It is a main ingredient in smog. The stratosphere or "good" ozone layer extends upward from about six to 30 miles and protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Particulate Matter Very small pieces of solid or liquid matter such as particles of soot, dust, fumes, mists, or aerosols that pollute the air. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) A powerful greenhouse gas emitted as a by-product of industrial processes and used in manufacturing. PFCs, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) are fluorinated gases that are sometimes called high global warming potential (GWP) gases because of their potency. Petroleum A fossil fuel, also called oil, that is liquid under normal conditions of temperature and pressure. The term includes petroleum-based substances comprising a complex blend of hydrocarbons derived from crude oil through the process of separation, conversion, upgrading and finishing, such as motor fuel, jet oil, lubricants, petroleum solvents, and used oil. Photochemical Oxidants Air pollutants formed by the action of sunlight on oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons. Photochemical Smog Air pollution caused by chemical reactions of various pollutants emitted in the presence of sunlight. Photovoltaic (PV) A technology that converts light directly into electricity. Pollution The action of or condition of contaminating the environment with human-made waste. Pollution Prevention Reducing or eliminating waste at the source by modifying production processes, promoting the use of nontoxic or less toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques, and reusing materials rather than putting them into the waste stream. Propane A normally gaseous hydrocarbon; a colorless paraffin gas that boils at a temperature of 143.67 degrees Fahrenheit. It is extracted from natural gas or refinery gas streams and used for home heating and cooking. Reclamation Restoration of materials found in the waste stream to a beneficial use that may be other than the original use. Recycling A process by which materials that would otherwise become solid waste are collected, separated, or processed and returned to the economic mainstream to be reused in the form of raw materials or finished goods. Relative Humidity Ratio of the amount of water vapor in air at a specific temperature to the maximum capacity of the air at that temperature. Renewable Resource A resource that can be replenished at a rate equal to or greater than its rate of depletion; nonfossil fuels such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass, and water. Resource Conservation Practices that protect, preserve, or renew natural resources in a manner that will ensure their highest economic or social benefits. Sanitary Sewers Underground pipes that carry off only domestic or industrial waste, but not storm water. Source Reduction The design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials to reduce the amount or toxicity of waste in an effort to reduce pollution and conserve resources (e.g., reusing items, minimizing the use of products containing hazardous compounds, extending the useful life of a product, and reducing unneeded packaging). Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) A heavy, malodorous gas that can be condensed into a clear liquid; used to make sulfuric acid, bleaching agents, preservatives, and refrigerants; a major source of air pollution resulting from combustion of coal and oil. Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF₆) A colorless, powerful greenhouse gas used primarily in electrical transmission and distribution systems as a dielectric medium. SF₆, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are fluorinated gases that are sometimes called high global warming potential (GWP) gases because of their potency. Sustainability Practices that would ensure the continued viability of a product or action well into the future. Sustainable Development An approach to economic progress that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Thermal Pollution The addition of heat to a body of water that may change the ecological balance. Threshold Limit Value The concentration of an airborne substance to which an average person can be repeatedly exposed without adverse effects. Toxic Capable of having an adverse effect on an organism; poisonous; harmful or deadly. Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Organic substances capable of entering the gas phase from either a liquid or solid form. Waste to Energy Burning of industrial waste to provide steam, heat, or electricity. Sometimes referred to as waste-to-fuel process.