Gas : A naturally occurring gas; a mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases found in porous geological formations found within the earth.
Gasohol : Mixture of gasoline and ethanol derived from fermented agricultural products containing at least nine percent ethanol. Gasohol emissions contain less carbon monoxide than those from gasoline do.
Gasoline : A highly volatile, flammable mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum.
Generation and Transmission Cooperative (G&T) : A power supply cooperative owned by a group of distribution cooperatives. G&Ts generate power or purchase it from public or investor-owned utilities, or from both.
Generator : A facility that emits pollutants into the air or releases hazardous waste into water or soil. Also, any person who produces regulated medical waste or whose act first causes such waste to become subject to regulation
Geothermal : Literally, heat from the earth; energy obtained from the hot areas under the surface of the earth. Examples are geysers, molten rocks and steam spouts.
Geothermal/Ground Source Heat Pump : A heat pump with underground coils to transfer heat from the ground to the inside of a building.
Global Warming: An increase in the average temperature of the earth's surface. This increase in temperature usually precedes an increase in greenhouse gases, sometimes called the greenhouse effect. These gases are released from burning gas, oil, coal, and wood.
Grassed Waterway : A natural or constructed watercourse that is shaped or graded in vegetation for the disposal of runoff water without erosion.
Grassroots : Used to describe local or person to person groups that develop usually outside of political organizations. A typical grassroots effort might include a door to door education and survey campaign.
Grazing : The use of grasses and other plants to feed wild or domestic herbivores such as deer, sheep and cows.
Green Building : A building using energy, water, materials and land in a much more efficient manner than are buildings which are built to code. Such environments are healthier for the people living and working in them. Such sustainable buildings are cost-effective, and actually require fewer dollars for operation and maintenance.
Green Design: A design, usually architectural, conforming to environmentally sound principles of building, material and energy use. A green building, for example, might make use of solar panels, skylights, and recycled building materials.
Green Energy : A popular term for energy produced from renewable energy resources or, sometimes, from clean (low-emitting) energy sources.
Green Marketing : Selling green energy.
Greenhouse : A building made with translucent (light transparent, usually glass or fiberglass) walls conducive to plant growth.
Greenhouse Effect: The process that raises the temperature of air in the lower atmosphere due to heat trapped by greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone.
Greenhouse Gas: A gas involved in the greenhouse effect.
Greenway : Undeveloped land usually in cities, set aside or used for recreation or conservation. Also, a linear park
Grid : A network of power lines or pipelines used to move energy.
Ground Fish: Fish that constantly live on or near the sea floor. Ground fish are also called bottom fish or demersal fish.
Ground Water : Fresh water found beneath the Earth's surface, usually in aquifers, which supply wells and springs. Ground water is a major source of drinking water.
Wilson Community College | P.O. Box 4305 • 902 Herring Avenue | Wilson, NC 27893 | Phone: (252) 291-1195 | Fax: (252) 243-7148