Definition of terms
Service classification
Rate 1, Small Residential Service
Available to any residential customer who receives service through a single meter for one or two dwelling units.
Rate 2, General Service
Available to residential, commercial and industrial customers who consume an average of 41,000 therms per month or less.
Choices for You (Rider CFY)
Available for customers to purchase natural gas from a supplier other than the utility. North Shore Gas
continues to charge for delivery of the natural gas.
Usage
Types of Meter Readings:
Actual
Reading taken by the company.
Customer
Reading taken by the customer.
Estimate
Reading estimated by the company based on weather and previous usage patterns.
Pressure Correction Factor
A factor used to compute the quantity of gas when it is delivered at higher than normal pressure.
BTU Factor (British Thermal Unit)
A factor used to convert measured gas volumes into the heating value of the gas.
Therms
For billing purposes, the volume of gas used multiplied by the BTU Factor.
Charges
Delivery Charge
Consists of the fixed charge, volumetric distribution charges and a storage charge.
These charges pay for the costs of delivering gas to customers.
Fixed Charge
The daily Fixed Charge does not change based on the amount of natural gas you use.
It includes a Customer Charge and charges set by the State of Illinois to fund weatherization,
energy assistance, renewable energy grants, and adjustments allowed by Illinois Public Acts
96-0033 and 99-0906.
Gas Charge
A charge that pays for the cost of gas supplies purchased for customers.
Energy Efficiency Program
A charge that pays for the costs related to energy efficiency and on-bill financing programs as
allowed by Illinois Public Act 96-0033.
Environmental Charge
A charge that pays for the cleanup from past manufactured gas operations.
Franchise Cost Adjustment
A charge for municipal franchise agreements.
Volume Balancing Adjustment
A charge or credit that stabilizes the revenue collected through the distribution charge.
Governmental Agency Compensation Adjustment
An adjustment for governmental fees and added costs, excluding franchise costs.
Storage Service Charge
A charge that is assessed to sales customers that pays for the costs related to providing
base rate storage services.
Storage Banking Charge
A charge that is assessed to transportation customers that pays for the costs related to
providing base rate storage services.
UEA-Gas Cost Adjustment
A charge for sales customers that pays for gas supply related uncollectible accounts expense.
Storage Gas Charge
A charge that is assessed to transportation customers to pay for gas cost related storage expenses.
Tax Cost Adjustment
A charge or credit that is passed along to customers for the Variable Income Tax Adjustment
and Invested Capital Tax Adjustment Riders.
Low Income Discount Credit
ICC-directed bill credit provided to eligible low-income customers.
Low Income Discount Adjustment
A charge assessed to recover the subsidy from the Low Income Discount Credit.
Taxes
Municipal Tax
Imposed by some municipalities on current charges before taxes.
Municipal Gas Use Tax
Imposed by some municipalities on a per therm basis on gas that is purchased from an alternative
supplier and is not subject to the Municipal Tax.
State Tax (Illinois Gross Revenue Tax)
Mandated by the State of Illinois to fund the Illinois Commerce Commission.
State Gas Revenue Tax
Mandated by the State of Illinois, either 5% of current charges before taxes or 2.4 cents per therm,
whichever is lower.
State Gas Use Tax
Imposed by the State of Illinois on a per therm basis on gas that is purchased from an alternative supplier
and is not subject to the State Gas Revenue Tax.
Other charges
Service Activation Charge
For initiating gas service.
Reconnection Charge
For reconnecting gas service when it has been discontinued.
Energy Efficiency Loan
For third party loan payments related to the on-bill financing program as allowed by Illinois Public Act 96-0033.
Late Payment Charge
For payments not received by the Payment Due Date. 1.5% of the unpaid balance is applied to the next bill.
Payment options and plans
Credit Card and Electronic Check Payments
Call 866-295-0086.
Paper-free billing
Receive and view your bills online. Enroll at northshoregasdelivery.com.
Budget Billing
Spreads your total annual bill more-or-less evenly over the year. Your monthly bill will adjust occasionally,
depending on your usage and gas prices.
Automatic Payment
Deducts payments from a checking or savings account.
Financial assistance
Share the Warmth
Provides heating assistance grants to eligible customers. Call the Community Action Partnership of Lake County
at 847-249-4330.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Provides heating assistance grants to eligible customers. Call the Community Action Partnership of Lake County
at 847-249-4330.
Safety warnings
Visit northshoregasdelivery.com for more safety information.
Flex Connectors
Replace uncoated brass flexible connectors with newer stainless steel or plastic coated brass connectors to
prevent possible fire, explosion and death.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Install a CO detector and change the batteries two times per year
Call Before You Dig
Striking underground natural gas lines can cause gas leaks, fires and explosions. Call JULIE at 811, 48 hours
before you dig to have lines marked.
Illinois Commerce Commission
As a natural gas utility, North Shore Gas is regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
You can learn more about the ICC, and view their rules, at www.icc.illinois.gov. If you have a question or complaint,
please contact North Shore Gas first. If your issue remains unresolved, you then may contact the ICC's
Consumer Services Division at 800-524-0795.
