Section 421.20  Definitions

For purposes of this Part, the following definitions shall apply:

            "Act" means the Public Utilities Act [220 ILCS 5].

            "Alternative retail electric supplier" or "ARES" has the same meaning as defined in Section 16-102 of the Act [220 ILCS 5/16-102].

            "Biomass power" means any resource that derives its power primarily from the combustion of dedicated crops grown for energy production and organic wastes.

            "Carbon dioxide" means the chemical compound with each single carbon atom combined with two oxygen atoms.

            "Coal-fired power" means any resource that derives its power primarily from the combustion of coal.

            "Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission.

            "Electric utility" or "utility" means a public utility as defined in Section 3-105 and Section 16-102 of the Act [220 ILCS 5/3-105, 16-102].

            "High-level nuclear waste" means nuclear fuel that has been removed from a nuclear reactor.

            "Hydro power" means any resource that derives its power primarily from the flow or falling of water.

            "Low-level nuclear waste" means radioactive waste not classified as high-level radioactive waste, transuranic waste, spent nuclear fuel, or byproduct materials as defined in Section 11e(2) of the Atomic Energy Act (42 USC 2021). This definition shall apply notwithstanding any declaration by the federal government or any state that any radioactive material is exempt from any regulatory control.

            "Natural gas-fired power" means any resource that derives its power primarily from the combustion of natural gas.

            "Nitrogen oxides" are chemical compounds with each single nitrogen atom combined with one or more oxygen atoms.

            "Nuclear power" means any resource that derives its power primarily from the fission of atoms.

            "Oil-fired power" means any resource that derives its power primarily from the combustion of oil.

            "Other resources" means any known resource that derives its power primarily from sources or processes not described in this Section.

            "Solar power" means any resource that derives its power primarily from the sun.

            "Sulfur dioxide" means the chemical compound with each single sulfur atom combined with two oxygen atoms.

            "Unknown resources purchased from other companies" means any resource that is neither owned nor operated by the utility or ARES and that derives its power from a source or process that cannot be identified by the utility or ARES, after making all efforts to the maximum extent practicable to identify the source or process that produces the power.  This maximum extent practical standard is beyond a good faith showing and requires an electric utility or ARES to be prepared to make a compelling showing that it is absolutely not practical to obtain and provide the information in question.  Such a compelling showing may be made by demonstrating that all reasonable steps to obtain and provide the information have been made.

            "Wind power" means any resource that derives its power primarily from the flow of wind.