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Appendix A — Glossary of Terms • Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) —an integrated system of smart meters, communications networks, and data management systems that allows communication between customers and utilities • Anaerobic digestion — a series of biological processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen; by-product is combustible biogas, which can be used to generate electricity or heat, or can be processed into renewable natural gas and transportation fuels • Building Benchmarking and Beyond (B3) — benchmarking program for public buildings in Minnesota to measure and monitor energy consumption, costs, and carbon emission through month and annual reports • Carbon Offset —a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions achieved in order to compensate for emissions somewhere else • Combined Heat and Power (CHP)— cogeneration of useful thermal and electrical energy • E-85 — high-level ethanol -gasoline blends containing 51%-85% ethanol. • Electric Vehicles (EVs) —vehicles that are powered by an electric powertrain • Fuel Switching— replacement of non-renewable fossil fuels with clean, renewable fuels • Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) — gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, including carbon dioxide, methane and chlorofluorocarbons • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) — rating system designed by the United States Green Buildings Council (USGBC) to evaluate the performance of a building and encourage market transformation toward sustainable design. • Million British Thermal Units (MMBtu) — a measure of the heat content of fuels or energy sources. • Net Zero Energy (NZE)— an energy -efficient building where, on a source energy basis, the actual annual delivered energy is less than or equal to the on -site renewable exported energy • Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) —energy saving measures receive project financing and are repaid as a separate item on the property tax assessment for a set time period • Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) —a market -based instrument that represents the property rights to the environmental, social and other non -power attributes of renewable electricity generation • Renewable*Connect—clean energy pricing program available to Xcel Energy residential and commercial customers, includes both solar and wind • Stretch Energy Code —an optional energy code that municipalities can adopt to meet a higher standard than the state's base energy code • Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)— multiple of centerline mileage and number of motorized vehicles that travel past a certain location during a specific period of time • WindSource® —a clean energy pricing program that allows Xcel Energy customers to pay a premium each month to get some or all electricity from wind energy