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- Absolute emissions
The total of our scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, as defined under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol
- ACS - Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme
Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme for Gas Businesses and Individual Gas Fitting Operatives. Any person or business wishing to do gas work has to prove their competence, after which they have also to register with the Gas Safe RegisterTM which from 1 April 2009, has replaced the CORGI gas registration scheme in Great Britain.
- Additionality
If an action leads to a genuine reduction in emissions, over and above business as usual, the benefit to the environment will be 'additional'. However, if an emissions reduction project would have happened anyway then no real difference to emissions would be made as a result and it couldn't be considered 'additional'. For example, if a consumer buys renewable energy which was going to be produced anyway, or invests in a carbon-offset project which was already going to happen, then the consumer is not helping to reduce emissions.
Debates over the additionality of projects are important to ensure that environmental claims make a genuine difference to emissions. Without this concept people might believe that they are benefiting the environment through their actions when actually they have no impact.
We offer a green tariff, Sustainable Energy, which is certified as creating an additional benefit to the environment by the Green Energy Supply Certification Scheme.
- Assets
Everything a firm owns.
- Auditor
An independent firm or person who checks the accounts against agreed standards.
- Bad debts
Amount owed to a firm by a customer that won't be recovered.
- Baseload
Baseload power is the minimum amount of power required to meet the demands based on reasonable expectations of customer requirements.
- bcf
bcf stands for billions of cubic feet of gas. The UK consumes over 3000bcf every year in homes, businesses and power stations.
- Borrowings
Bank overdrafts, loans and bonds issued in sterling and other major currencies with maturity dates between 2012 and 2033.
- Biomass
Biomass is one of the oldest sources of renewable energy; it is biological material that is derived from living or recently living organisms. For power generation, this is generally plant-based material such as timber based products in various forms or fast growing energy crops (e.g. willow, poplar and Miscanthus).
- Biomethane
Biomethane is a mixture of gases (predominantly methane) that are sourced from organic material, such as cattle slurry, food and household waste. Also known as biogas, it is produced by a process called anaerobic digestion, where bacteria breaks down the organic material. Biomethane from all sources will make a contribution to decarbonising the gas grid by delivering renewable heat to households through the existing gas network and central heating boilers. According to a study by National Grid, it could account for at least 15% of the domestic gas market by 2020.
- Bought ledger
Contains records about purchases.
- British Gas Energy Trust
The British Gas Energy Trust, which incorporates the Scottish Gas Energy Trust, is an independent Charitable Trust established by British Gas in 2004. The Trust receives funding solely from British Gas but operates independently, providing British Gas customers as well as the wider public with help in paying energy and other household bills as well as assistance in applying for grants. The Trust also funds voluntary sector organisations to provide money and fuel debt services.
Further details can be found at: www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk
- Capital
The money invested into a firm by shareholders.
- Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Carbon capture
This is the removal of CO2 from fossil fuels either before or after combustion.
Carbon storage
Sometimes called carbon sequestration, this is the long-term storage of carbon or CO2. In nature, large forests and oceans act as carbon 'sinks' and help to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Artificial sequestration, such as injecting CO2 into geological formations (often under the seabed), requires technology such as carbon capture and storage.
Estimates suggest that carbon capture and storage could reduce carbon emissions by 80-90% from a power station. Carbon capture and storage can be referred to as CCS.
- Carbon credit
A credit or permit from a greenhouse gas emissions reduction scheme, such as emissions trading, Joint Implementation (JI) or Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). See carbon trading.
- Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)
The CERT scheme ended in December 2012 and was an obligation on the major energy suppliers to improve domestic energy efficiency, which replaced the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC). Suppliers were required to deliver twice the energy savings under CERT as they did under EEC. The main objective of CERT was to achieve carbon reductions in order to tackle climate change but there was also a focus on delivering energy efficiency measures to low-income customers and to encourage behavioural change. The scheme originally ran from 2008-2011, but was extended until December 2012. This extension increased the carbon targets by a further 20%, and put in place minimum sub targets for installing insulation, and to target measures to the most vulnerable households. At the end of the scheme in 2012, British Gas narrowly missed the target by a shortfall of 1% which was subsequently delivered in early January. In January 2013, CERT was replaced by the UK Government's Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Green Deal, which focus on vulnerable customers.
- Carbon footprint
A carbon footprint is a measure of greenhouse gas emissions, usually expressed in carbon dioxide units. You can calculate the carbon footprint of a product, an individual or an organisation, for a single activity or over a period of time.
- Carbon intensity
Carbon intensity measures the volume of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of electricity generated. This allows you to compare the efficiency of two differently sized companies doing similar things, which a carbon footprint comparison would not.
We calculate our carbon intensity based on the average annual emissions from all wholly owned power generation assets and all other power generation assets from which Centrica is entitled to output under site-specific contracts.
- Carbon offsetting
Carbon offsetting involves calculating a carbon footprint and then investing in a project that reduces greenhouse gases emissions into the atmosphere by an equivalent amount. To be effective, an offset must be additional (See Additionality).
- Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC)
The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is a mandatory scheme to improve energy efficiency and therefore cut CO2 emissions in large public and private sector organisations. These organisations are responsible for around 10% of the UK's CO2 emissions. The scheme features a range of reputational, behavioural and financial drivers which aim to encourage organisations to develop energy management strategies that promote a better understanding of energy usage.
- Carbon trading
Carbon trading controls carbon emissions by putting a limit on total emissions from certain activities or sectors. This puts a price on carbon and creates a market whereby participants can trade their carbon allowances. Allowances are initially allocated, perhaps through a free distribution or through an auction. The carbon price provides an economic incentive to reduce emissions and allows for any reductions to take place at the lowest cost across the scheme. The limit on total emissions is adjusted periodically, see Carbon credit.
- Cash book
A record of a firm's cash and bank accounts.
- Clean coal technologies (CCTs)
CCTs make using coal as a power source more environmentally satisfactory. There are significantly higher greenhouse gas emissions for each unit of electricity produced by coal-fired generation than there are for alternative methods of generation. CCTs involve reducing the carbon emissions per unit of energy generated from coal.
- Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
CDM is defined within the Kyoto Protocol. The CDM rewards with Certified Emission Reductions (CER) investments in projects that reduce emissions in developing countries; each CER is each equivalent to one tonne of CO2. These CERs can then be used by industrialised nations to meet their emissions targets as part of the Kyoto Protocol. The CDM is governed by the UN's CDM Executive Board (CDM EB), which makes sure that accredited projects deliver real and enduring emissions reductions. Operators covered by the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) can use a limited number of CERs for their annual compliance with the Scheme.
- Climate Change Agreement
This is an agreement between the Government and a business user in an energy-intensive industry, where the user commits to reducing energy usage or carbon emissions in return for paying a lower Climate Change Levy.
- Climate Change Levy (CCL)
CCL was introduced by the Government in 2001 following the Kyoto Protocol, as part of its commitment to tax non-domestic energy use. The CCL aims to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. From April 2013, businesses that have Climate Change Agreements with the Government can start claiming CCL discount at the revised rate of 90% for electricity and 65% for other fuels. Other exemptions from the CCL include renewable electricity sold under a renewable source contract and energy sold to charities for certain activities. Gas and electricity suppliers are responsible for charging CCL to their business customers and then paying the Government.
- Combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT)
A combined cycle gas turbine uses a gas turbine generator to generate electricity and waste heat in the exhaust is recovered and is used to make steam to generate additional electricity via a steam turbine; this last step enhances the efficiency of electricity generation. All our gas-fired power stations are CCGT plants.
- Combined heat and power (CHP)
Combined heat and power (CHP) is a technology that generates electricity and heat at the same time. This is different to conventional power stations, where the heat produced is wasted.
- Commodity prices
The prices of raw materials and primary products for example wholesale gas.
- Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
The CESP obligation ran from 1 October 2009 and concluded in December 2012. The scheme was a joint funded initiative between Government, energy suppliers and power generators that targeted households in areas of social deprivation to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel bills. The programme was delivered through community-based partnerships between Local Authorities, community groups, and energy companies in a house-by-house approach to ensure energy-efficiency measures are best suited to an individual property or area. At the end of 2012, British Gas had delivered 3.5 million tonnes of lifetime carbon savings under CESP but due to bad weather, missed the CESP target and will complete the shortfall in 2013. In January 2013, CESP was replaced by the UK Government's Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Green Deal (see Energy company obligation and Green Deal).
- Cost of sales
Total cost of buying goods for resale.
- Counterparty
One of the opposing parties involved in a transaction.
- Credit rating
A rating from an independent institution that assess creditworthiness or the credit risk, and provides credit ratings that are publicly available and used by investors as well as analysts as a guide for investment decisions in regard to relative credit standing or strength. (examples of credit rating agencies, Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Service).
- Currency fluctuations
The ongoing changes between the relative value of the currency issued by one country when compared to a different currency. Currency fluctuations may appear as both upward and downward movements. Our profitability could be adversely affected because of currency fluctuations against pounds sterling, which is the reporting currency of the Group. Our main exposure is in US and Canadian dollars and euros.
- Current ratio
It is the ratio of a company's current assets to current liabilities. It is a general indication of the solvency of a company, the adequacy of its working capital, and its ability to meet day-to-day calls upon it.
- Customer-Led Network Revolution (CLNR)
Established in 2011, the CLNR is the UK's largest smart grid project of which British Gas is one of four lead partners. The £54m project established by the UK energy regulator Ofgem, will help electricity customers across the country to reduce their carbon emissions over a three year period and will assess the affect of low carbon and microgeneration technologies on the electricity grid in order to ascertain how key challenges can be overcome to support the development of smart grid technology and assist in creating a low economy.
- Depreciation
Loss of value of assets through wear and tear.
- Derivative financial instruments
A mechanism, such as an option, futures contract, or swap, of which the criteria and value are determined by those of an underlying asset such as a stock, currency, or commodity. Derivatives are used extensively in the hedging of financial and treasury risks.
- Distributed generation
This refers to electricity generation, usually on a relatively small scale, that is connected to the distribution networks rather than directly to the national transmission systems. At a community level this could include combined heat and power (CHP generation). At a domestic level, this could include solar panels.
- Diversify
Moving into another area of business.
- Dividend cover
Dividend cover takes into account all aspects of trading, tax and finance, from the ordinary shareholders' point of view. Dividend cover can also be calculated using cash flow in place of profit.
dividend cover =
Profit attributable to shareholders
divided by: Dividends
- Dividend yield
This measure shows shareholders how much income they receive in relation to the current share price. Analysts will sometimes predict dividend growth and calculate a prospective dividend yield.
dividend yield =
Gross dividend per share
divided by: Share price
- Dividends
Share of profits paid to shareholders twice yearly as an interim dividend and a final dividend.
- Earnings per share (EPS)
This is an important ratio, signalling the growth in earnings attributable to the ordinary shareholders for each share they hold. It must be disclosed at the bottom of the profit and loss account for listed companies such as Centrica.
Profit after tax
divided by: Weighted average ordinary shares in issue
- Economies of scale
These result in the company benefiting from a reduction in the average cost per unit.
- Emissions reduction units (ERUs)
ERUs are tradable credits awarded to emission reducing projects that take place under the Joint Implementation (JI) project. JI projects operate in a similar manner to those under the Clean Development Mechanism but take place in developed countries. One Emission Reduction Unit (ERU) equates to an emission reduction of one tonne of CO2 equivalent.
- Emissions trading (EU ETS)
The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) began in January 2005 and is a form of carbon trading using carbon allowances. The scheme covers around 45% of all EU emissions and includes power generation and industrial manufacturing plants across the EU, limiting the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions allowed. Each site must submit an allowance for every tonne of carbon dioxide emitted. We are a major trader in the scheme and a strong supporter of the ETS as we believe it remains the cornerstone mechanism for reducing emissions across the EU. Phase III of the EU ETS began in 2013 and will run until 2020. During this period, a centralised EU-wide cap on emissions will be set and the 'cap' will decline by at least 1.74% a year, so that emissions in 2020 will be at least 21% below their 2005 level.
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
In January 2013, ECO took over from the existing obligations made through the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), which expired in 2012. The ECO requires energy suppliers to improve the insulation of harder to treat properties in the domestic sector and to invest resources in reducing heating costs for vulnerable households. It will therefore continue to support the reduction of energy bills for fuel poor households which will play an important part in the UK meeting its carbon emissions and fuel poverty targets.
- Energy mix
The Energy mix refers to a composition of energy sources. If for example, an energy company had renewable, coal, gas and oil assets, these sources of energy would form their overall energy mix.
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPCs)
EPCs give information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The certificate provides an energy efficiency rating for the property on a scale of A to G, with A being the most efficient with lower running costs and G being the least efficient with higher running costs. EPCs also contain a recommendation report with suggestions to reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. Since 4 January 2009 all homes in the UK that are built, sold or rented require an EPC.
- Energy Ombudsman
The energy Ombudsman is an independent organisation set up to resolve disputes and disagreements between energy companies and their domestic and small business customers. The Ombudsman becomes involved in complaints in the following situations: 1) 8 weeks have passed after a complaint to an energy company has been made and it has not been sufficiently addressed; 2) the company has issued a final letter to say it will no longer be handling the complaint; 3) there have been difficulties in contacting the energy company and registering a complaint. For more information, see the energy Ombudsman website.
- Energy Services Directive (ESD)
The ESD aims to promote energy efficiency in the UK by developing a market for energy services and delivering energy efficiency programmes and measures to energy end users. The Directive's full name is the EC Directive on Energy End Use Efficiency and Energy Services. The ESD focuses on market actors and institutions rather than specific technologies or measures. It applies to providers of energy efficiency measures, energy distributors, distribution system operators and retail energy sales companies; and all energy users except those involved with the EU carbon emissions trading scheme.
The main requirements of the Directive are:
- national indicative energy savings target of 9% by 2017
- public sector to fulfil an exemplary role in meeting the target
- to place obligations on energy suppliers and distributors to promote energy efficiency
- requirements on metering and billing to allow consumers to make better informed decisions about their energy use
- Energy Retailers Association (ERA)
The ERA was formed in 2003 and represents the major electricity and gas suppliers in the domestic market in Great Britain. All the main energy suppliers, operating in the residential market, in Great Britain are members of the association.
The ERA works closely with government, NGOs, charities and other organisations in England, Scotland and Wales to ensure a coordinated approach to dealing with the key issues affecting our industry and the British consumer.
For further details - www.energy-uk.org.uk
- Equity assets
Shareholdings held in stock market listed companies.
- Equity share
Equity share refers to the proportion which Centrica owns. For example, we may take 100% of power from a facility but only own 50% it. That would make our equity share 50% and our offtake 100%.
- Essentials
Essentials is the name we give to the package of support measures available to our vulnerable customers. Following the launch of the government's Warm Home Discount Scheme (WHD) in 2011, this programme is now closed to new applicants and existing essentials customers transferred onto the mandatory WHD scheme, subject to eligibility. The programme included a discounted tariff and offers benefits assessments and access to free impartial debt advice, energy efficiency products and a range of extra help from our charity partners. Customers can also access free insulation. Further details are available on the British Gas website.
- Expenditure
Costs flowing out of the firm.
- Factoring
A method of financing in the recovery of debts.
- Fair Billing Charter
Launched in 2011, the Fair Billing Charter is designed to support UK small businesses by making improvements in accurate billing a priority. The Charter details the rights and responsibilities of both the customer and British Gas and advises business customers on how to be more 'energy conscious' in their fuel consumption and whether they are being billed correctly.
Further details can be found at: http://www.britishgas.co.uk/blog/articles/british-gas-launches-fair-billing-commitment-for-businesses-2
- Feed-in Tariff (FIT)
A FIT is a payment via energy suppliers to people who generate their own electricity through microgeneration technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines. It is intended to help finance the cost of small-scale, locally-generated power. See Ofgem's website for more information and latest rates: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/Environment/fits/tariff-tables/Pages/index.aspx
- Fixed rates
Interest rates on loans fixed for the period of the loan.
- Fuel cells
Fuel cells produce heat and electricity from hydrogen and air. Since the fuel cell relies on chemistry and not combustion, emissions from this type of a system are much smaller than emissions from the cleanest fuel combustion processes. These can be used for stationary power generation (microCHP), transport (replacing the internal combustion engine) and portable power (replacing batteries in mobile phones).
- Fuel Mix Disclosure (FMD)
FMD regulations oblige all UK suppliers to calculate and publish the fuel source (eg coal, gas, nuclear, wind) and indicative CO2 emissions of all the electricity they supply between 1 April and 31 March. This includes electricity generated by the supplier and electricity bought from other generators, either through contracts or in the marketplace. It is different to the proportion (mix) of energy sources that we use to generate electricity ourselves.
- Fuel poverty
The common definition of a fuel poor household is one which has to spend more than 10% of household income to achieve adequate heating (21 degrees Celsius in the living room and 18 degrees Celsius in other occupied rooms).
- Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (FPAG)
FPAG is comprised of senior representatives from organisations such as the energy industry, charities and consumer bodies. The core role of FPAG is to examine, monitor and report the effectiveness of current policies in reducing fuel poverty and to encourage the need for greater co-ordination and partnerships to tackle fuel poverty.
Further details can be found at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/partners/public_bodies/fpag/fpag.aspx
- Gas Safe RegisterTM
Gas Safe RegisterTM has replaced CORGI in Great Britain and the Isle of Man. See also ACS
By law, anyone carrying out work on gas installations and appliances must be on the Gas Safe RegisterTM. All British Gas engineers are on the Gas Safe RegisterTM and all registered engineers carry an ID card.
- Gearing
The ratio of a company's share capital to its debt.
- Green Deal
Introduced in January 2013, the Green Deal together with the Energy Company Obligation will replace the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), which ended in December 2012. The Green Deal will enable domestic and commercial customers to invest in energy efficiency improvements, which qualify under the initiative, for no upfront outlay by spreading the cost through instalments on their energy bills. British Gas has been an early supporter of the Green Deal and took place in a trial of the Green Deal programme in July 2011, with the launch of the Home Energy Plan. This enabled British Gas customers who paid by direct debit to take out low cost loans to invest in energy saving measures. From the pilot, British Gas gained valuable insights about how the Green Deal might operate, including the types of energy efficiency measures that customers prefer and how to simplify the scheme to encourage participation.
- Green Tariff
We have signed upto Ofgem's Green Energy Supply Guidelines which define a Green Tariff as one that delivers an minimum additional environmental benefit as well matching a customers' usage with electricity from renewable sources. This raises the standard of industry products, ensures genuine benefits for the environment and provides transparent and consistent information to reduce consumer confusion around tariff labelling.
Our Sustainable Energy tariff is certified as creating an additional benefit to the environment by the Green Energy Supply Certification Scheme, and matches each unit of electricity you buy with a unit of 100% British renewable energy.
- Grid
The 'grid' refers to the electric grid, which is a network of transmission lines, transformers and more that delivers electricity from power plants to homes and businesses.
- Gross profit margin
Total profit made in a year as a percentage of sales. This ratio is deemed to be an important indicator of profitability, and comparisons can be made against companies selling similar items.
Since gross profit is defined as 'turnover minus cost of sales' this ratio will move if the relationship between these two variables changes. This could be due to changes in selling price, unit costs or product mix (where gross margins vary between different markets). The published information can only provide a superficial guide. Analysts will seek to further analyse this ratio into appropriate market segments.
Gross margin =
Gross profit
divided by: Turnover
- Hedging
Hedging occurs when a significant proportion of gas supply is bought in advance of consumption in order to guarantee future supplies of energy and to help manage price volatility.
- Hedging
Any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk, (the effect of fluctuations in the price of credit, foreign exchange or commodities on an organisation's profits, corporate value, investments, or liabilities). For example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change, using Hedging instruments such as forward contracts, forward rate agreement (FRA), swaps, futures, and options.
- Higher heating value (HHV)
The HHV (also known as the gross calorific value or gross energy) of a fuel is defined as the amount of heat released by a specified quantity (initially at 25 oC) once it is combusted and the products have returned to a temperature of 25 oC.
The higher heating value takes into account the latent heat of vaporisation of water in the combustion products, and is useful in calculating heating values for fuels where condensation of the reaction products is practical (eg, in a gas-fired boiler used for space heat). In other words, HHV assumes all the water component is in liquid state at the end of combustion (in product of combustion).
- Hire-purchase
Buying equipment through financing.
- Home Energy Plan
For further information on the Home Energy Plan, please refer back to the Green Deal definition.
- Income
Money from sales, or revenue flowing into the firm.
- Incorporated
A firm with a separate legal existence.
- Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC)
IGCC plants initially turn the feedstock into gas, which is then passed through a conventional combined cycle set up. IGCCs can be designed to use a range of raw fuel inputs, including coal, oil products and wastes.
- Interest cover
The ratio below is used to demonstrate how easily the company can service any debt it may have by showing how many times its profit exceeds the interest charge. In particular, when used along-side a review of how much the company has borrowed from banks, this ratio can highlight the company's exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. It is also possible that an 'interest cover' ratio may be calculated for cash flow, to see whether a company is generating enough cash to pay its interest costs.
Interest cover =
Profit before interest for period
divided by: Interest charge for the period
- Interest rates
The percentage charged by a bank or other financial organisation for borrowing money or earned by placing money on deposit.
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Founded in 1988, the IPCC is a scientific intergovernmental body founded by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It aims to provide an objective source of information about climate change to policy-makers by assessing the latest scientific, technical and socio-economic literature worldwide on the human causes of climate change. It is open to all member countries of WMO and UNEP and scientists from around the globe contribute to its work as authors, contributors and reviewers.
- Internal carbon footprint
We use the term 'internal carbon footprint' to describe the carbon emissions from our property energy use, company vehicles and business travel. The target does not cover emissions from power generation or oil and gas production, the reporting and management of which we treat separately. Our internal targets concentrate instead on those areas where the majority of our employees have the ability to influence results. This is important for engagement purposes and enables us to benchmark our operational performance against the majority of other businesses. The internal carbon footprint includes all in-scope assets and activities associated with the businesses within Centrica as at 31 December 2007, together with organic growth.
ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted standard for establishing an effective Environmental Management System (EMS). It aims to balance the need for profitability with best practice in terms of protecting the environment.
- Joint implementation (JI)
Joint Implementation is a Kyoto Protocol mechanism under which industrialised countries can invest in projects to cut emissions in other industrialised countries. This could include, for example, replacing an old coal-fired power plant with a cleaner gas-fired one. Reductions achieved under JI projects are awarded emissions reduction units (ERUs), which can be traded in the European Emissions Trading Scheme.
- Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol adopted on 11 December 1997, is an international agreement where participating nations have agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 1990 levels. The first commitment period spanned five-years between 2008-2012 from 1990 levels. All industrialised nations signed the Protocol but Australia only did so with a change of government in 2007, while the United States did not ratify it. Under the Kyoto Protocol, the European Union achieved the collective 5% reduction target, with the UK exceeding this by securing a 6% reduction in GHG. In addition to making absolute domestic carbon cuts, the Kyoto Protocol allows the use of flexible mechanisms to meet targets. These include Emissions Trading (ET), Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI). During the second commitment period which will run between 2013-2020, nations will aim to reduce GHG emissions by at least 18% below 1990 levels; however, the composition of Parties in the second commitment period is different from the first. A revised list of GHG will also be reported during this period.
- Leading and lagging indicators
Leading indicators measure activities, while lagging indicators measure outcomes. For example, the number of training workshops held would be a leading indicator and the number of incidents recorded would be a lagging indicator.
- Leasing
Renting equipment through financing.
- Levy Exemption Certificate (LEC)
A LEC is issued by Ofgem to accredited power stations for each megawatt hour of renewable source electricity that they generate. All business customers need to pay a climate change levy for electricity they use. However, they can get an exemption if the electricity comes from a renewable source. Business customers who wish to purchase electricity generated from renewable sources can enter into a renewable source contract with their electricity supplier. LECs act as proof that an equivalent amount of electricity has been generated according to the terms of the contract. That's why electricity sold with LECs comes at a premium.
If an electricity supplier cannot generate enough renewable source electricity, it can purchase LECs from other suppliers to meet its obligations. Suppliers must periodically notify Ofgem of the LECs they have allocated to the renewable source electricity supplied to business customers. LECs are used to show exemption from the Climate Change Levy (see Climate Change Levy).
- Liabilities
Everything a firm owes.
- Limited liability
Owners are not personally liable for debts.
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
When natural gas is cooled to a temperature of approximately -160 degrees Celsius at atmospheric pressure it condenses to a liquid called liquefied natural gas (LNG). This liquid takes up 600 times less the volume of the gas, making it possible to transport in container ships. Natural gas is composed primarily of methane (typically, at least 90%).
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
LPG is a gas, usually propane or butane, that is derived from oil and put under pressure so that it is in liquid form. It is often used to power portable cooking stoves or heaters and to fuel some types of vehicle, eg some specially adapted road vehicles and forklift trucks.
- Liquid assets ratio
The ability to meet short-term debts without selling stock.
Liquidity ratio =
Current assets
divided by: Current liabilities
- Liquidity
A firm's ability to meet short-term debts.
- Low carbon buildings programme (LCBP)
LCBP ran between 2006-2011 and was a UK Government programme that provided grant funding towards the cost of installing microgeneration and other low carbon technologies at certain types of properties. LCBP was phased-out and replaced with grant funding made through the Government's Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) scheme and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.
- Low carbon economy
Addresses the global challenges of diminishing fossil fuel reserves, climate change, environmental management and finite natural resources serving an expanding world population. To achieve a low carbon economy there needs to be a transition to the following:
- Energy should be produced using low carbon energy sources and methods - renewable and alternative energy sources, fuels and sequestration
- All resources (in particular energy) should be used efficiently - more efficient energy conservation devices, combined heat and power
- Wherever practical local needs should be served by local production - food materials, energy
- All waste should be minimised - reduce, reuse, recycle
- There is high awareness and compliance with environmental and social responsibility initiatives - industry, commerce and individuals.
- Marked-up price
The price after the company has added its own profit margin on to the cost of the goods.
- Microgeneration
Microgeneration refers to the production of heat and/or electricity on a small scale. Solar panels and microCHP boilers are examples of microgeneration.
- Micro combined heat and power units (Micro-CHP)
Usually fuelled on gas, although some can burn a range of other fuels, they produce power and heat from a single fuel source. A typical domestic sized micro-CHP unit will deliver the same comfort levels as a modern boiler, whilst reducing the emissions of a typical house by 25% or 1.5 tonne of CO2 per year.
- Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme
See ACS
- Nest / Nyth
Nest is the Welsh Government's fuel poverty scheme. It aims to help reduce the number of households in fuel poverty and make Welsh homes warmer and more fuel-efficient. Eligible recipients are those in Wales who are in receipt of a means tested benefit or are living in the hardest-to-heat homes. For more information see http://www.nestwales.org.uk/
- Net profit
The profit that is left after all expenses and deductions have been made.
- Net profit margin
Total profit minus cost made in a year as a percentage of sales. Since operating profit equates to 'gross profit minus operating costs' this ratio goes beyond gross margin to consider the impact of 'other expenses' as well. In addition to changes in volumes, selling price, unit costs or product mix, fluctuations in 'operating costs' will also affect this ratio.
Net margin is a key indicator of trading or operational performance.
Net margin =
Operating profit
divided by: Turnover
- Net Promoter Score (NPS)
NPS measures customers' responses to the question 'How likely would you be to recommend us as an energy supplier to a friend or relative (0-10)?' The score is calculated by the percentage of customers defined as promoters (scoring 9-10) minus the percentage defined as detractors (0-6). NPS are collected through customer feedback forms and telephone interviews conducted by a third party supplier. NPS for British Gas and Direct Energy are measured differently and are therefore not comparable.
- Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem)
Ofgem is the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets. Protecting consumers is their first priority by promoting competition, wherever appropriate, and regulating the companies which run the gas and electricity networks.
For further information, see www.ofgem.gov.uk
- Offshoring
Offshoring refers to outsourcing to another country.
- Offtake
Offtake refers to the amount of electricity Centrica takes from a power station. For example, we may take 100% of power from a facility but only own 50% of it. Our offtake would be 100%, whereas our equity share would be 50%.
- Outsourcing
Subcontracting a service such as in-house catering, back office functions such as accounting or HR services, to a third-party company. The decision to outsource is often made in the interest of lowering cost, making better use of time and gaining advantages from companies with specialist skills.
- Overdraft
A predetermined credit limit from a bank.
- Power purchase agreement (PPA)
This is where we have a fixed arrangement to buy power from another energy supplier.
- Price/earnings (P/E) ratio
Measure that compares the earnings per share of a company to the market price of the company's shares. The earnings would normally be for a 12-month period. The share price would be for a particular day and thus it would not match the earnings period unless it were an average for that period.
This ratio can be used to gauge the perceptions of the market to holding shares in particular companies. The higher the P/E ratio, the more popular the share. P/E ratios are often quoted alongside share prices in the national newspapers.
Price/earnings ratio =
Share price
divided by: Earnings per share
- Profitability
A firm's income relative to expenditure. Profit before tax can be defined as 'operating profit minus losses on fixed asset sales plus net interest income'. This ratio therefore builds upon 'net margin' by also considering the impact of non-trading items on a business's profitability.
A declining figure in any of these three ratios suggests that potentially there is a problem. However, the reason for the decline must be ascertained through detailed analysis of all relevant aspects of the business before any conclusions can be drawn.
Profitability =
Profit before tax
divided by: Turnover
- Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs)
REGOs are electronic certificates attached to electricity produced from renewable sources across the EU. They were introduced in 2003 in response to the Renewables Directive, which aims to increase the amount of electricity generated in European Member States from renewable energy sources. The Directive requires Member States to issue a Guarantee of Origin, on request, for electricity produced from renewable energy sources.
In 2005 a new standard licence condition was introduced into electricity supply licences, obliging electricity suppliers to give their customers details of the mix of fuels used to produce the electricity supplied to them. Suppliers must show this on bills. REGOs (in some countries they are called Guarantees of Origin - GoOs) are issued in the UK as evidence that the electricity is generated from a 'renewable source', with one REGO representing one kilowatt/hour of electricity.
- Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
The RHI is a subsidy for the supply of renewable heat. From its launch in 2011, it has provided appropriate support for technologies such as biomass boilers and combined heat and power (CHP) for the commercial and industrial sector. The Government plans to expand the existing scheme to cover additional technologies and will also offer an additional domestic scheme for individual households. Final details will be announced in summer 2013 and the schemes will open for payment from spring 2014. The UK Government is committed to deliver 15% of total energy from renewables by 2020, and the RHI will help support this target and those on reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions.
- Renewables Obligation (RO)
The RO is the main government market mechanism to support renewable energy. The Obligation requires licensed electricity suppliers to source a specific and annually increasing percentage of the electricity they supply from renewable sources. It was introduced in 2002 and provides a substantial market incentive for all eligible forms of renewable energy.
- Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs)
ROCs are awarded to eligible renewable generators for each MWh of electricity generated. ROCs confirm that the power has come from renewable sources - for example, a wind farm. These certificates can then be sold to suppliers, in order to fulfil their Renewables Obligation (RO). Suppliers can either present enough certificates to cover the required percentage of their output, or they can pay a 'buyout' price for any shortfall. All proceeds from buyout payments are recycled to suppliers in proportion to the number of ROCs they present. The buyout price is set each year by Ofgem, and in 2012-2013 the Obligation stands at £40.71 per ROC (Source: Ofgem, Feb 2012, The Renewables Obligation buy-out price and mutualisation ceiling 2012-13). ROCs have increased the profitability of renewable energy generation as the certificates have an additional value over and above the price of electricity itself. The end date of the scheme has now been extended from the 31 March 2027, in England and Wales and Scotland until 31 March 2037, and in Northern Ireland until 31 March 2033.
- Renewable Source Contract
This is a contract where an electricity supplier agrees to supply electricity generated from renewable sources to a business customer. The contract contains a renewable source declaration. Renewable source electricity is exempt from the Climate Change Levy provided certain conditions are met.
- Renewable Source Declaration
This is a declaration made by suppliers that, in each averaging period, the amount of electricity supplied is not greater than the amount of renewable source electricity acquired or generated. It is one of the conditions for exemption from the climate change levy that a renewable source declaration is contained in each renewable source contract.
- Renewable Source Electricity
This is electricity generated from sources of energy other than fossil fuel and nuclear. Wind energy, small-scale hydro, tidal, wave and photovoltaics are all included. Supply of renewable source electricity under a renewable source contract is exempt from the Climate Change Levy (provided certain conditions are met).
- Reserves
Unused cash that a firm has available.
- Retained profits
Withheld dividend payments to shareholders.
- Return on capital employed (ROCE)
Percentage earnings on capital invested in the business by the shareholders. This measure is used to estimate the return the company has achieved on the assets it uses. The calculation uses average capital employed over a period (usually the financial year), attributable to funds provided by the shareholders. Average capital employed excludes interest bearing borrowings and cash deposits.
Profit before interest and taxes
divided by: Average capital employed
- Sales ledger
Contains records of customer accounts.
- Share capital
Money raised from selling shares to shareholders.
- Shareholders
Individual investors who own part of a limited company.
- Site-specific power purchase agreement (PPA)
This is where we have a fixed arrangement to buy power from a specific facility such as a wind farm or power station. We take site-specific PPAs into account when calculating our carbon intensity because we know the intensity of the facility from which we purchase the electricity.
- Smart energy
Smart energy technologies are designed to make people more aware of their energy consumption and to provide greater control over household costs. An example of smart energy technologies are smart meters, which provide real-time and historical visibility of energy use within the home. For more information, refer to the smart metering definition.
- Smart Grid
The 'grid' refers to the electric grid, which is a network of transmission lines, transformers and more that delivers electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. With the rise of digital and computerised products, the electric 'grid' has become stretched to capacity and in response, a smart grid is needed to meet growing electric demand. Working along side the electric grid, the Smart Grid will consist of controls, automation, new technologies and equipment to respond digitally, reliably and efficiently to withstand the UK's quickly changing electrical demands.
Further information can be found at: http://energy.gov/oe/technology-development/smart-grid
- Smart metering
Smart meters provide real time information on energy consumption to help consumers control and manage their energy use, which can save money and reduce emissions. By 2019, it is expected that every home will have a smart meter. The Government have mandated that all homes must have smart meters installed between 2014-2019.
In accordance with the Government's supplier-led Central Communications model, Centrica and other leading energy companies will have the responsibility for the installation and maintenance of smart meters but a central organisation will provide the communication links. This means smart meters will be rolled out by the energy suppliers and not the energy network operators. At the end of 2012, British Gas leads the industry in the installation of smart meters in homes and businesses. For more information, refer to the smart energy definition.
- Standard assessment procedure (SAP)
This is the methodology used for assessing the energy performance of buildings for Energy Performance Certificates (see EPCs).
- Total recordable injury rate (TRIR)
Recordable rate includes lost time cases, restricted work cases and medical treatment cases.
- Trademarks
The name or other symbol used to identify the goods or services from a particular organisation. A trademark that has been officially registered (Registered Trademark) is identified by the symbol 'TM' is legally protected and it (or a near copy) can not be use by other organisations.
- Triple bottom line
The triple bottom line measures an organisation's success in terms of economic, social and environmental factors.
- Turnover
Total revenue or income from sales.
The United Kingdom continental shelf (UKCS) comprises the areas of seabed and subsoil over which UK exercises sovereign rights of exploration and exploitation of natural resources. It is sometimes used interchangeably with the 'North Sea' but is geographically wider than that. According to UK Oil&Gas, the UKCS has the ability to provide the nation with 40% of its oil and gas demand in 2020 if investment there continues.
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The UNFCCC was established in 1992 as the international framework to agree strategies to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in relation to their impact on global climate. The key agreement of the Convention is the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was signed 1997. The Kyoto Protocol established a timetable for reductions in the emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs and other radiatively active gases, as well as a framework for increasing the sequestration of carbon by vegetation including forests and agricultural land.
- Vulnerable customers
A vulnerable customer is defined as one that is unable to safeguard their personal welfare or the personal welfare of other members of the household, for reasons of age, health, disability or severe financial insecurity.
- Warm Home Discount (WHD)
The Warm Home Discount scheme came into effect on 1 April 2011 and as of 8 July 2011, replaced British Gas' Essentials social tariff to new applicants. The is a four year, mandatory, UK Government programme run in conjunction with energy suppliers and aims to provide assistance with energy costs for vulnerable households across England, Scotland, and Wales. The programme is designed to replace all voluntary schemes run by energy companies and our Essentials customers will therefore gradually move onto this scheme. The scheme separates eligible households into two groups - the 'Core' group are the most vulnerable customers who automatically receive discount on their electricity bills while the 'Broader' group consists of a greater number of low-income households living with for instance, long-term illness, disabilities, or has a household member either over the age of 60 or with a child under five years of age. UK energy suppliers are required to spend a combined £276m in 2012/13, rising to £310m by 2014/15 to vulnerable customers through the programme.
Further details are available on the British Gas website.
- Water-stressed
We use a definition provided by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) which states that water-stress is experienced in regions where water availability does not meet the demands of human populations.
- Weightman report
Commissioned by the UK Government, the Weightman report was produced by HM Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations, Dr Mike Weightman, to asses potential UK implications following the tsunami and nuclear disaster at Fukishima in March 2011. The report was published in October 2011 and gave a clear endorsement of the UK's safety culture and current performance of the UK nuclear industry and confirmed the necessity of new nuclear builds. He made 26 recommendations to the nuclear industry regarding standards.
- Working capital
The difference between a firm's cash and its short-term debts.
- Zero Carbon Home
A zero carbon home is usually thought of as one that produces net zero carbon dioxide emissions in a year. Homes can form part of a low carbon site; they do not have to be built in isolation. Such homes are exempt from stamp duty when they are first bought.
- Zonal Appraisal and Planning (ZAP)
Zonal Appraisal and Planning is a non-statutory process that represents a strategic approach for identifying wind farm sites within the Zone through consideration of key issues, collection of environmental data across the zone, assessment of cumulative impacts and incorporation of stakeholder views at an earlier stage in development.
My Report
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To save a page, click the "Add+" button at the top of any report page.
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Your list of saved pages and notes will appear in this window.
Financial Statements
Group Income Statement
Year ended 31 December 2010
Download Excel version of the Group Income Statement (52Kb)
|Year ended 31 December
|Business performance
|Exceptional items and certain re-measurements
|Results for the year
|Business performance
|Exceptional items and certain re-measurements
|Results for the year
|Group revenue
|Cost of sales before exceptional items and certain re-measurements
|Exceptional items
|Re-measurement of energy contracts
|Cost of sales
|Gross profit
|Operating costs before exceptional items
|Exceptional items
|Operating costs
|Share of profits/(losses) in joint ventures and associates, net of interest and taxation
|9, 19
|Group operating profit
|Interest income
|Interest expense
|Net interest expense
|Profit/(loss) from continuing operations before taxation
|Taxation on profit/(loss) from continuing operations
|Profit/(loss) from continuing operations after taxation
|Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations
|9, 38
|Gain on disposal of discontinued operations
|9, 38
|Discontinued operations
|Profit/(loss) for the year
|Attributable to:
|Equity holders of the parent
|Non-controlling interests
|Earnings per ordinary share
|From continuing and discontinued operations:
|From continuing operations:
|Interim dividend paid per ordinary share
|Final dividend proposed per ordinary share
The notes form part of these Financial Statements.


text:
Date calculator: Add to or subtract from a date
This service enables you to add or subtract days, months and years to a date to calculate a past or future date.
Design changes: What is new and why?
From Monday, February 23, 1998
Added 49 months, 49 weeks, 119 days
Normalized to 4 years, 1 month, 462 days
Result: Saturday, June 28, 2003If the larger units (months/years) are added before the smaller units (days).
Alternative result: Monday, June 30, 2003If the smaller units (days) are added first
◀ Make adjustmentStart Again ▶
Make a new calculation
Help and example use
Date Calculators
- Date Calculator – Add or subtract days, months, years
- Add to or subtract from a date and time
- Duration between two dates – Calculates number of days
- Time and Date Duration – Calculate between exact times (not just dates)
- Birthday Calculator – Find when you are 1 billion seconds old
Related links
- Date/calendar related services – Overview
- Calendar Generator – Create a calendar for any year
- The World Clock – Current time all over the world
- Countdown to any date

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Thursday, November 1, 2012
East Shore Athletic Club is participating in Operation Gratitude this Halloween by collecting excess candy and sending it to our troops. All 13 East Shore locations will have a collection box at the front desk. Members and non-members are encouraged to bring in their extra Halloween candy between now and Monday, November 6th.
Approximately 66% of adults in the United States are overweight, with almost 30% categorized as obese.
We are working hard to help our community live a healthier lifestyle. We want to take away the temptation of eating too much of the left over candy and at the same time bring some happiness to our troops, its a win win. said Kate Wartner, Director of Corporate Wellness.
Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000 care packages to individually named US Service members deployed in hostile regions, to their children left behind, and to Wounded Warriors, Veterans and First Responders.
To find your nearest East Shore location to donate your candy, visit www.eastshoreac.com.
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text:
|59 posts found
Originally posted by fenistil
that's the big one I feel ANET had to decide when making this game.. how can they juggle DE's with a themepark style game. I said this in a couple other threads but say all DE's had much more "lasting" effects and what happens when you miss that big event where a dragon rampaged through a zone and destroyed half of it. People would be PISSED they didn't get to witness that epic battle. So it's a trade off and something they probably struggled with.. How do you make events feel natural but make it so the most amount of people playing the game can enjoy them.
I angered the clerk in a clothing shop today. She asked me what size I was and I said actual, because I am not to scale. I like vending machines 'cause snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at a store, oftentimes, I will drop it... so that it achieves its maximum flavor potential. --Mitch Hedberg
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Oh...another "your all just playing the game wrong" threads.
DE's are still boring after the honeymoon period with ANY game that uses them. Telling people they are "doing it wrong" isnt going to change DE's mechanically so that they are actually entertaining.
Some people refuse to accept the game for what it is...and are still grasping on to all the hype they created.
Originally posted by redman875
thanks for not watching the video and adding nothing to the thread.. video isn't saying you are "doing it wrong" sorry if that's the impression you got. It's there to help people get a perspective of how DE's chain and work because not everyone is aware of this.
I angered the clerk in a clothing shop today. She asked me what size I was and I said actual, because I am not to scale. I like vending machines 'cause snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at a store, oftentimes, I will drop it... so that it achieves its maximum flavor potential. --Mitch Hedberg
Novice Member
Joined: 1/10/11
Originally posted by redman875
Might want to watch the video and read what people actually are saying in this topic, you kinda look like your talking at the walls right now.
Novice Member
Joined: 1/31/04
Originally posted by Aerowyn
Sure your alt can have a different storyline, and maybe not run the same DE's. But the Hearts, Vistas, PoI etc... are all the same, just like in every other MMO. Alt's will be mind numbing in an extreme fashion, SWTOR was worse, WoW was better.
Back on topic. Trying to take GW2 slowly, but god's if you stub your toe you level. I have tried to finish every map I level in, so at L72 on my Necro now with ~40% map completion, have Tailoring to 400, Artificing to 391. Just how much more slowly can I take GW2? Any slower and I would be in a coma, lol.
Lately I have been running into a LOT of broken DE's, broken SP's and missing NPC's. (Is it REALLY necessary to have a vendor chase mobs far from its normal point??) Escorts that won't move, mobs going Invulnerable mid combat, these and other things can rapidly raise the frustration level and ruin the fun.
Originally posted by CyclopsSlay
i have several alts already and it's the best alt leveling experience I have had in a MMO because of how the event system works.. also wanted to comment on bugs I have had several events recently people thought were bugged but were not.. obviously there are bugs out there but one example is the gargatua spider in Harathi. The spider goes invulnerable and spawns a bunch of baby spiders then heals to full.. he actually does this 3 times before he will fall. Now I saw several people get fed up and leave after the second time because they thought it was bugged. Another example is in Lornars Pass there is a SP you reach from a cave. If you look at the map it looks like its inside a mountain.. You can run all over the mountain and even a level below but nothing is there.. I saw a couple people complain the SP was probably bugged. I then later found a ways down south was a cave enterance that led to the SP.. again obviously some events and SPs will have bugs but so far I have only ran into a couple.
I angered the clerk in a clothing shop today. She asked me what size I was and I said actual, because I am not to scale. I like vending machines 'cause snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at a store, oftentimes, I will drop it... so that it achieves its maximum flavor potential. --Mitch Hedberg
Novice Member
Joined: 9/22/11
Originally posted by Aerowyn
Of course it was design decison that had to be made and propably quite early because things like that decide how whole game will look like. To some degree even it's mechanics, how world / znones are designed, how progression is made and so on.
If you go for less "directing" players, less hand-holding. Make a game so people can miss things just because, or because they haven't been figuring things out, haven't been focused enough and so on and basically reward them for that with universal substantial things (in rpg's progress) then you will have more attentive, more cooperating, taking things slower playerbase. They would do that because in order to progress and complete things they would have to do it.
Of course by going that route you propably get smaller playerbase numbers especially initial one.
Don't get me wrong I am NOT advocating GW2 to change. I am just saying you cannot require what you require from players that either are not interested in lore, story and figuring things out by themself (group 1) or from players that are task oriented that will figure things out and not rush through content only or mainly if they can earn something substantial from it progress wise or that they have to behave like that.
Players that take things slow and are attentive ONLY to experience more story or another event - there is not much players like that.
Novice Member
Joined: 6/20/08
Originally posted by MindTrigger
Haha the NPCs will be holding a conversation, and anyone with minimal reasoning capabilities will see that the conversation is heading towards another quest. Of course most folks don't finish DEs in order to see NPCs talk (who cares about dialogue!!!), so they bolt off. I personally enjoy most of their conversations.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 2/14/11
Originally posted by Aerowyn
I trully prefer how it is done now.
GW2 was designed without hearts in the first place...and probably with a lot less of "hand holding" through the game....
I know some ppl (me included) need time to change the chip and forget about how we´re been playing MMOS lately...
But i really believe that "lack" of ads pumping in your screens telling you what to do next.... It´s a PLUS!
It´s also a guarantee of a good replayability since everytime you play or go through an area you can discover something you missed before for not paying that much attention. That would be lost with pumping adds....
I would love to see future expansions with new areas "hearts- free" & no hand holding...a bit like in Orr.
Novice Member
Joined: 6/20/08
Originally posted by CyclopsSlay
You can easily play 2, maybe 3, different character for most of the game without crossing over into the same maps, unless your original character went and explored most everything. SWTOR hurt.
Novice Member
Joined: 6/17/12
I think a simple fix would just be to add some indication that there are more steps in a chain. I personally think that the quest text for the DE should tell you what step you are on in a chain. For example, you could just add a (Chain 2/4) or even just (2/4) at the end of the text that would tell people that they are on the second stage of a four-part chain.
I am one of the players who finds it hard to find DE's. I only had 15k Karma when I hit level 80 yesterday despite having 61% Map Completion. I will admit that I spend a lot of time running around exploring and completing zones rather than standing in one place but even so I should have encountered far more DE's than I did. I find that I usually spend 10-15 minutes running around looking for a DE and then 2 minutes actually doing one (usually because I happen across it halfway through). I have done some fun chains (Foulbear Kraal in Fields of Ruin probably being my favorite) but not nearly enough.
Novice Member
Joined: 1/31/04
On Ehmry Bay, Gandarron Fields, 2 SP's, the underwater one with Willo/Millo, as well the one at the Lumbermill near Vigil Keep, did them both on my Ranger a few weeks ago, both have been awol for a week now. Sparkfly Fen, the underwater Shark SP sharks get stuck and won't become attackable, couldn't get it to start then an hour later it worked fine then another hour later people were shouting it was busted again.
Then the invuln troubles are with regular mobs, much of the game is on hill slopes, yet occasionaly a slight Z axis difference and the mob goes Invuln and resets, well partially resets.
No game is perfect, much as it may want to claim it is :) but things like these issues that get reported and no comment is forthcoming are a bit disheartening.
As well, couldn't they have found a better solution to some bugged item dropping than "That content is currently Disabled..."
Novice Member
Joined: 6/17/12
Originally posted by CyclopsSlay
There are lot of bugged SPs now and DEs are starting to get worse too. I think a big part of it is they have pulled back from their launch mentality and staffing so they haven't been patching as frequently which means the servers don't reset as often which makes the bugs stick around for much longer than they did a couple weeks ago when they were patching everyday.
Advanced Member
Joined: 8/22/08
Good video and I point I made when people were complaining about various issuess during early access
Novice Member
Joined: 5/10/06
That people don't stick around to watch the NPC talk runs counter to the going theory that players want storyline and themepark in MMOs.
So with all due respect to the video producer and supporters, no we're not playing it wrong. The simple scripted AI isn't a challenge, the stories are mostly boring, and the themepark world that you have only a mild and temporary influence over isn't interesting. For that we can watch a movie, and not bother with all the meaninless typing and clicking.
Novice Member
Joined: 10/01/09
You know what I think would help a lot? If GW2 offered an event chain completion bonus. It may be sad to some that such a bonus would be necessary to lure some people to play through whole chains, but I believe it is necessary nonetheless.
I think you can divide players into 3 categories in this regard: those who completely take their time and immerse themselves in the story while levleing, those who have learned to view it as "leveling" and, thus, only see events as a means to an end, and those who fall somewhere in between, who may want to enjoy the story of events, but who feel tugged away from the slower parts of dialogue by the lure of faster exp or events that are going on NOW elsewhere.
For the second type of player, you'll never get them to stop and absorb the story. And that's fine. They will play the game how they enjoy it. But for the 3rd group of people, adding a somewhat substantial chain completion bonus would help incentivize them to continue to seek out the next step in a potential chain, rather than rush onward to a new area.
Originally posted by Homitu
not a bad idea:) think a lot of the issues are they are trying to cater to both sides of the fence on this issue but obviously not enough on each it seems.. me personally would love to of played it before they even added the hearts into the game.. but if they didn't have the hearts many people would probably be going crazy about not being able to find quests to do and such.
I angered the clerk in a clothing shop today. She asked me what size I was and I said actual, because I am not to scale. I like vending machines 'cause snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at a store, oftentimes, I will drop it... so that it achieves its maximum flavor potential. --Mitch Hedberg
Novice Member
Joined: 3/23/10
There is a LOT more to the game if people stop to listen to the NPCs around them talking and then follow them. Found quite a few new events this way.
It may give that quest type feel to some of the people who feel the game lacks it.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 3/26/12
Originally posted by solarine
A problem is that GW2 wants to eat the cake but keep it too. It would have been better if they had focused on one paradigm and made an extensive tutorial. For instance, they could have removed almost all markers on the map for all players and instead make an extensive tutorial about how exploration can look like and how a DE and discovering its other "hidden" parts can look like. But, since they didn't have the balls to go that path, they have this messy compromise instead.


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Google Personalized Homepage tests a new way to display feeds. Instead of only showing the titles, Google displays a snippet from each item and the date. I think the layout looks too complicated and could be simplified by including the snippet in a tooltip, like Live.com does.
Note that you might not see this change in your personalized homepage yet.
{ Via Blogosoped Forum. Found by Niraj Sanghvi. }
Update: It seems that Google shows the full content of a post (at least for this feed and other FeedBurner feeds like Slasdot's), but it does a poor job at handling big images and long text. For most of the other feeds, they only show a snippet. Also, you won't see snippets for ATOM feeds (e.g.: Official Google Blog or any other Blogger blog that uses the default feed).
January 22, 2007
Google Personalized Home Shows Feed Snippets
This blog is not affiliated with Google.


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Effects of low level laser therapy (808 nm) on physical strength training in humansEffects of low level laser therapy (808 nm) on physical strength training in humans
Ferraresi C, de Brito Oliveira T, de Oliveira Zafalon L, de Menezes Reiff RB, Baldissera V, de Andrade Perez SE, Júnior EM, Parizotto NA.
Lasers Med Sci. 2010 Nov 18. [Epub ahead of print]
Recent studies have investigated whether low level laser therapy (LLLT) can optimize human muscle performance in physical exercise. This study tested the effect of LLLT on muscle performance in physical strength training in humans compared with strength training only. The study involved 36 men (20.8±2.2 years old), clinically healthy, with a beginner and/or moderate physical activity training pattern. The subjects were randomly distributed into three groups: TLG (training with LLLT), TG (training only) and CG (control). The training for TG and TLG subjects involved the leg-press exercise with a load equal to 80% of one repetition maximum (1RM) in the leg-press test over 12 consecutive weeks.
The LLLT was applied to the quadriceps muscle of both lower
limbs of the TLG subjects immediately after the end of each training session. Using an infrared laser device (808 nm) with six diodes of 60 mW each a total energy of 50.4 J of LLLT was administered over 140 s. Muscle strength was assessed using the 1RM leg-press test and the isokinetic dynamometer test. The muscle volume of the thigh of the dominant limb was assessed by thigh perimetry. The TLG subjects showed an increase of 55% in the 1RM leg-press test, which was significantly higher than the increases in the TG subjects (26%, P=0.033) and in the CG subjects (0.27%, P < 0.001).
The TLG was the only group to show an increase in muscle performance in the isokinetic dynamometry test compared with baseline. The increases in thigh perimeter in the TLG subjects and TG subjects were not significantly different (4.52% and 2.75%, respectively; P=0.775). Strength training associated with LLLT can increase muscle performance compared with strength training only.
Wonder what made the 16 year old Chinese girl outswim her male counterpart? The Chinese have been studying this for years and are in the forefront of this research. These lasers are already used to help heal muscular injuries but they can also be used to increase functional strength while reducing the possibility of injuries.
Makes me wonder if any fighters are using this.
Studies have shown up to 25% increase in muscle strength when used in a regimen after a training session.


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So when the craving hits – whether that uncontrollable urge to measure, blend, stir, whisk or that crazy need to eat something sweet and homemade (all the time, as my husband never fails to remind me) – I turn to something simple, fast and easy. I love my one-bowl cake recipes, whether my brother's Spicy Carrot Snack Cake or one of my amazing, please-everybody Chocolate Cakes, my Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or my latest discovery, Lemon Pecan Quick Bread with a swirl of jam down the center. Nothing fancy, no imaginative masterpiece, just simple and sweet, comforting and good. Staple ingredients that I have on hand at all times, measure the dry, measure the wet, whisk and in the oven and do some ironing or writing while it bakes. The hardest part of each of these recipes is the waiting until it is done and cooled enough to slice and enjoy.
And this is where Abby Dodge comes in. I love Abby. Call it friendship, call it admiration and respect, call it a girl crush, call it what you will, I love Abby. Yes, she and I are friends and I've had the great good pleasure to spend face time with her in both Paris and New York, the time in between punctuated by the occasional phone call. She is warm and funny, so kind and generous. Friend and mentor. But don't think that I promote her cookbooks because she is a friend. I would never offer empty praise nor would I make promises to my readers and fellow baking aficionados about something that I myself didn't absolutely love. Abby is an astonishingly talented baker and creates desserts and cake and treats that are often incredibly simple to make yet hit the spot every time – delicious, perfect, satisfying and homey.
I am the happy owner of three of Abby's cookbooks – The Weekend Baker, Desserts 4 Today and Mini Treats & Hand-Held Sweets and I love baking from them. Her Espresso Chocolate Cake with Mocha Mascarpone is a stunner and more than worthy of any celebration! Her Creamy Espresso Pudding soothes the coffee lover in me every time. Her Raspberry Blueberry Coffee Cake is tender and delicate with the sweet tang of fresh berries, a family favorite for breakfast. And her Nutella Fudge Brownie Bites? Do I even need to explain? I have come to have complete faith in Abby's recipes; I know each will work and each will make my very hard-to-please family smile. And eat.
I recently went scrambling desperately through The Weekend Baker for something chocolate. My son was complaining that there was nothing to eat for breakfast, no snack waiting when he got home from class. He is as persnickety and fussy as they come, and for him I needed something that he calls "plain", which translates as: nothing fancy, no creamy additions, no odd bits and strange flavors. Something that is familiar, that he recognizes. You see what I am up against? He's lucky, because I just happened to be craving, for some inexplicable reason, chocolate cupcakes. Sometimes, those odd cravings just hit, don't they? Happily, I discovered something called Emergency Blender Chocolate Cupcakes in the index and saw that, indeed, they were super easy and fast to make. Since simplicity and plain are the keywords around here and I knew that I would be topping those cupcakes with no frosting or whipped cream, I would definitely not be pushing a single red cherry down into the batter or hiding a rounded teaspoon of homemade Salted Butter Caramel Sauce (something I always seem to have hanging around these days) inside the center of each cupcake, I had to think in another direction, find something to make them special. So I made them into mini Bundts. And they were perfect.
And Mini Treats & Hand-Held Sweets (100 Delicious Desserts to Pick Up and Eat) arrived on my doorstep just as the last Chocolate Cinnamon Bundtlet disappeared (I do believe he ate the last four all at once). I had just made Abby's Brown Butter Apple Hand Tarts from her most recent #BakeTogether – a recipe based on one from Mini Treats. I wanted to make something son, husband and I would love and I selected Almost-Instant Yellow Cupcakes. Which I refer to as Better-Than-Mix Yellow Cupcakes! Again, these were together in a flash. Abby suggests frosting these cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Frosting but I topped mine with our favorite Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. The cupcakes, like the Chocolate Cinnamon Bundt Cakes, are perfect! Dense and moist without being gooey or sticky, tender and so full of flavor that no frosting will hide the vanilla tastiness. I don't often make cupcakes and rarely make vanilla cupcakes, but I cannot get enough of these. I haven't eaten anything so delicious for ages! Yes, yes, I should write something much more poetic, descriptive, evocative, but how can I think anything other than "ooooooh mmmmmmm" as I am pushing one fabulous cupcake into my mouth after another they are that good?!
"Serving up dessert from this Mini Treats & Hand-Held Sweets means no plates, no forks, no spoons – no kidding." explains Abby. "Easy-to-make and even easier-to-serve desserts that will dazzle" is the aim of Mini Treats & Hand-Held Sweets and Abby, as usual, hits it on the nose. The cookbook is filled with great recipes: Double-Trouble Chocolate Cupcakes, Streusel-Topped Double Cherry Slab Pie (the next on my own list), Lemon Meringue Pie Poppers, Mini Mocha Roll Cakes, Blood Orange and Creamy Tangerine Pops, White Chocolate-Cherry Popcorn to name a very few. And Abby, as she does in all of her cookbooks, gives extremely precise instructions that will give even the beginning baker confidence and great results, fun suggestions for twists to change up and personalize each treat, and her own Kitchen Wisdom oozing with her long experience.
Abby's Emergency Chocolate Cupcakes and these Almost-Instant Yellow Cupcakes should be at the top of your baking repertoire, both perfect when you need a fast, easy, versatile and extraordinarily delicious treat, snack, breakfast or dessert. For more of Abby's great recipes visit her blog.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy as a gift from The Taunton Press but the decision to post a review and all opinions are my own. The decision to bake as much as I do from Abby's cookbooks is my own as well.
From Mini Treats & Hand-Held Sweets by Abigail Johnson Dodge
1 ¼ cups (lightly spooned in the measuring cup and levelled with a knife) flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 tsps baking powder
½ tsp salt
6 Tbs (3 oz) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
½ cup water
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 yolk from a large egg, at room temperature
1 Tbs vanilla extract
Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) – I have an unusually hot oven so I set mine to 180°C). Line 12 regular-sized (2 ¾-inch diameter) muffin cups with paper or foil liners (I used silicone cupcake cups).
Put the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium or large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
Put the melted butter, water, egg and yolk and vanilla in a small bowl and whisk until well blended. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and whisk until well blended and smooth, about 1 minute.
Portion the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. (I poured the batter into a large measuring cup with a spout, which makes pouring easier and neater.) Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 14 to 16 minutes. Move to a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. Carefully remove the cupcakes from the pan, set them on a wire rack and let cool completely.
Frost as you please. Eat as many as you like, in thoughtful moderation and saving some to share.


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Review: Apple Aluminum Remote Control for iPhone and iPod Dock, Apple TV, and iTunes
Apple quietly introduced a new Apple Remote [$19.00 - Apple Online Store link] along with the updated iMac, Mac Mini, Magic Mouse, and Apple TV 3.0 last month. Not to be confused with the Apple-produced Remote app [Free - iTunes link], which allows an iPhone or iPod touch to control an Apple TV or iTunes, the Apple Remote is a hardware accessory that not only controls the aforementioned Apple TV or iTunes (and Front Row!) all on its own, but can also control an iPhone or iPod touch when they're placed in the -- sold-separately -- Apple Universal Dock [$49.00 - Apple Online Store link]
So, how new is it, why would an iPhone or iPod touch need a hardware remote anyway, and most importantly, how does it perform? Read on after the break!
New as in Ish
If we define new as revolutionary, like some of the leaks suggested, than this is hardly a "new" remote. Indeed, the Remote app for iPhone and iPod touch already fulfills that revolutionary roll, and does so well. If we define new as in it's aluminum and black, matching Apple's new design motif, and has an extra button, then, okay, it's new-ish.
But that still leaves us with -- why would any iPhone or iPod touch user with that free app even want a separate, physical, uni-tasker, hardware remote in the first place?
Think Apple TV on the Go
No, seriously, with the Apple Universal Dock (which really doesn't still come with the old white remote, does it Apple?!) and its built in IR receiver, combined with an Apple Composite AV Cable [$49.00 - Apple Online Store link] or Apple Component AV Cable [$49.00 - Apple Online Store link], your iPhone or iPod touch becomes an Apple TV. Only portable.
Total Cost of Pwnership
Now it won't take the Wolfram Alpha app to tell you that each piece of the above equation costs, well, as much as the Wolfram Alpha app. We're talking fifty bucks for the dock and fifty for one of the cables -- so that's $100 to start. Add in an Apple USB Power Adapter [$29.00 - Apple Online Store link] so you don't drain your battery while you play, and we're talking $130. That's more than half the price of an Apple TV -- and that doesn't count the cost of the iPhone or iPod touch.
But lugging an Apple TV around would, pointedly, suck, and portability and convergence have their price, don't they? (Even if portability in this case means lugging an extra dock, cable, and remote).
Oh, Yes. The Remote
Back to business. Assuming you want to rent or buy iTunes movies and take it over to your friends' and/or family's to watch, and you have the dock and cable, and you don't like the idea of jumping up and running over every time you want to play, pause, or change media, then how good is the Apple Remote at keeping you on the couch?
Pretty good.
It's essentially the same as the previous old, white Apple Remote, though it's longer, sharper edged, made out of sturdier aluminum, and has an easier battery access door on the bottom. It's major change, cosmetics aside, is that the play/pause button has been separated from the select button and placed down below, off-centering the menu bottom and taking a place to the right of it on the side.
That's an... odd choice coming from Apple. And for iPhone users it likely adds little functionality, since unlike the Apple TV, there's no iPhone interface for selecting media on your TV while continuing to watch/listen to something else. (Or selecting it at all, even on the iPhone/iPod touch as you can press the remote arrows on a menu screen to your heart's content and it just. won't. scroll!)
Let me explain that better (would that Apple had actually implemented it better so I wouldn't have to). On the Apple TV, with the old Apple Remote, you could start a song, but if you wanted to look for another song in a another playlist, you had to hit the select button to choose that playlist, and since the select button was the same as the play/pause button, how would it know if you actually wanted to pause the music, or just keep browsing while the music kept playing. With the new Apple Remote, those buttons and hence behaviors are distinct, and you can use menu to drill up and select to drill down, without having to simultaneously end the current track while still browsing for the next. (But it's actually worse than that, since while browsing the play/pause button can pause the music, but not play it again, so much for better...)
iPhone and iPod touch via the IR dock enjoy none of this functionality (such as it is), so the new button is pretty much the same as the old from a usage point of view. (Exactly the same, play/pause and select both play/pause!). Perhaps that still-in-limbo iPhone 3.2 update can add that to it's to-do list?
Also, with the sharper angles on the new Apple Remote, that tired old cliche about "feeling great in the hand" reminds me why it's not so tired. Depending on your hand size, the new version may not feel anywhere as great as the old.
Enough. Bottom-line This.
More curious than compelling, the new Apple Remote certainly better meshes with the latest Apple aesthetics, even if it's functionality remains decidedly last gen.
If you already have an old plastic Apple Remote, and you're not a fashionista with $15 in-pocket, determined to have something to match your latest iPhone and Mac, there's no need to get the new Apple Remote.
If you are said fashionista, or you have an Apple TV or use Front Row a lot on your Mac, and think that little button tweak will save you a lot of musical frustration, then go for it. $15 is less than you'd spend at some fast-food joints these days.
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Reader comments
Review: Apple Aluminum Remote Control for iPhone and iPod Dock, Apple TV, and iTunes
RON JEREMY IS a fashonista....15$ samollies isn't to bad, I'd be willing to switch for the newer style..
Maybe its shape is something to the efFect of what the next gen iPHONE will look like, if so the RON JEREMY LIKES....
@ Ron Jeremy
I don't think that apple will make the next iPhone out of aluminum.
Hmm. They should of made it shorter. I don't even know where my plastic remote is, I'm gonna loose this one too.
I think they should of made it with Bluetooth. That might require a larger battery but I guess.
@Cardfan I use a Harmony One for the Apple TV at home, and the Apple Remote for the Mac, especially when traveling.
a stocking stuffer at best. with the iPhone / iPod app and the ability to program my TV's STB option via the iR remote config on Apple TV, i'm not that desperate to replace the apple remote i have. but i guess it is nice to see some Apple TV related hardware get a tweak since the Apple TV isn't getting any love... or is it?
Apple: Just add IR to the iPhone/iPod Touch and BE DONE WITH IT! ;-)
this ipod touch remote looks really cool and cute. its so portable that i would love to show it off to my friends. i think it will be really easy to use and having a wheel with it will do most of the work on 1podtouch easily. i got lots of information about itune from 1pod touch


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|l to r - Annette Clark, Jerry Clark, Iva Sawyer, Bob Sawyer
This picture of my grandparents (on the right) and their friends has always amused me. It was taken in 1925, shortly after they were married in Portland, OR. They seem awfully dolled up for a picnic or park outing, yet the setting seems to indicate that's exactly where they were.


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PRESTONSBURG — A Floyd County grand jury released indictments this week against Ronald and Loretta Wright in the shooting death of Famer Halbert.
The Wrights were arrested in March, after Famer Halbert was shot and killed at his home. According to police records, the Wrights had been visiting at the home of the Halberts before the shooting occurred. Famer's wife, Lorene, was also shot and wounded during a struggle for the Wrights' gun. Seven of the Halberts' grandchildren were in the residence at the time of the shooting.
Ronald Wright has been indicted for one count of murder, one count of attempted murder for allegedly shooting Lorene, and seven counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for "manifesting an extreme indifference to human life" for the Halberts' children, by engaging in conduct which posed a danger of death or serious physical injury.
Loretta Wright was indicted for one count complicity to commit murder, one count complicity to attempted murder, and seven counts of complicity to first-degree wanton endangerment.
An order to appear was issued by Floyd County Circuit Court Judge John David Caudill on Thursday. The Wrights are both scheduled to be arraigned in Floyd Circuit Court at 9 a.m., Tuesday. Both Loretta and Ronald Wright remain in custody on $500,000 cash bonds.


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Elkin's Main Street Advisory Board's façade grants for 2012 have been completed, and there is a fresh look to some of the businesses that reside in older, historical buildings.
The MSAB offers downtown businesses opportunities to improve the exteriors of their buildings to help the image of Elkin's downtown Historical District. Each spring, downtown businesses are encouraged to apply for the façade grant, which helps toward a portion of their expenses. Options can include fresh paint on the buildings, new windows or doors, awnings, or almost anything permanent that improves the exterior of the building.
Elkin Antiques and Collectibles Mall on South Bridge Street improved the location by bringing back the brick façade to its original condition, carefully removing old paint on the bricks. The business also improved the parking lot, fencing and signage.
The Upper Yadkin Valley Habitat for Humanity on Market Street improved the front of the building by replacing the old awnings with new, crisp, blue ones.
Kennedy Auto on East Main Street gave the signage an updated look by removing the metal awning, pressure cleaning and painting on the front of the building, replacing floor and carpeting at the store front window and fixing tile that had become loose.
Foot-Heels Shoe & Boot Repair cleaned the signage front and replaced old, rotting letters with new ones.
The return on the funding commitment this last round of $4,000 yielded more than $12,000 in improvements.
"The MSAB and I are excited to be able to roll out this program again next Spring," Laura Gaylord, the Town of Elkin's Main Street & Community Manager said. "The façade grants will also include opportunities for business owners to allow murals on the sides of their buildings. If you know of a talented muralist who might be interested in submitting a proposal, please contact me at 336-794-6469."
The search is on, and applications will be accepted in early Spring 2013.
Gaylord stated, "We are trying to do all we can to improve the facades with contributed funds. To sustain this program we will need to find a community foundation or business sponsor to potentially match the funds we contribute. I am looking forward to talking to any visionaries interested in being a part of downtown Elkin's revitalization, whether it be to renovate, or contribute to the fund."


text: Fyrinnae's Arcane Magic Eyeshadows are specialized colours with a highlight that changes hue depending on how the light hits it (closer to or further from a light). Different light sources may show different shades, too (they do not show as well in sunlight as artifical light, and some may not appear to change at all). Please note that the Arcanes will probably look a little different in photos than in person because of the light-change effect.


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|Home > Guides > Core Developers Guide > Accessing application, session, request objects
The framework provides several access helpers to access Session, Application, Request scopes.
All the JEE scope attribute maps can be accessed via
We can also access the
HttpServletRequest and
HttpServletResponse objects themselves through
ServletActionContext. In general this isn't recommended as it will tie our action to the servlet specification.
ServletRequestAware or
ServletResponseAware, combined with the
"servletConfig" interceptor, is an alternative way to access the request and response objects, with the same caveat.
Request and session attributes are accessed via OGNL using the
#session and
#request stack values.
#attr stack value will search the
javax.servlet.jsp.PageContext for the specified key. If the
PageContext doean't exist, it will search the request, session, and application scopes, in that order.


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Financial Aid FAQ
What is financial aid?
Financial aid is funding to assist in paying for your student's college education. Gift aid and self-help aid are two categories of financial aid. Gift aid comes in the form of grants and scholarships and does not have to be repaid. Self-help comes in the form of loans and employment. Financial aid at Kent State University is awarded to students based on financial need and/or merit. A student may have a combination of grants, loans, scholarships and employment for a financial aid award.
What financial aid does KSU offer? How do I contact the Financial Aid office?
There are four basic types of financial aid: scholarships, grants, loans, and Federal Work Study. Find out more by visiting the Financial Aid Office at the Geauga Campus or going online: http://www.geauga.kent.edu/admissions/financialaid/index.cfm. Any financial aid questions can be directed to Donna Holcomb, Financial Aid Advisor, via phone 440-834-3737 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
How does my student apply for financial aid?
Students may apply for financial aid by going to the federal government's FAFSA website located at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
What is a FAFSA?
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid and it is the almost universal application for financial aid, including loans, grants, college work-study and other federal and state programs. It is often required before a student can be considered for scholarships as well. FAFSA can only be submitted online.
What happens after my student applies?
Once Kent State University receives your students' financial aid application results from the federal processors, we determine their eligibility based on their financial need. At that point the student's record runs through our automated processing programs and an Initial Financial Aid Award Notification letter is mailed to the student. As subsequent adjustments are made to their financial aid notification, an email will be sent notifying them of any changes.
How is my student's financial aid award determined?
The federal government has established a formula which determines the expected family contribution, or EFC, and can be found on the top-right corner of the Student Aid Report (SAR). This formula, which is used by colleges and universities throughout the country, estimates your family's financial strength in order to determine the amount your family should be able to contribute to the cost of education for the academic year. Family income, assets, size of the family, number in college, as well as an allowance for retirement are among a few of the items evaluated by this formula. The expected family contribution (EFC) is subtracted from the cost of attendance to determine financial need. Once this is determined, the financial aid office is able to determine the types and amounts of federal, state, local and institutional aid your student is entitled to receive. These include both need and non-need based aid. Once the awards have been determined, the student is mailed an official financial aid notification, often called an "award letter".
- Expected Family Contribution
= Financial Need
When should my child start the financial aid process?
Please refer to the timeline below:
September - December
Start a Scholarship Search. Try the FastWeb scholarship database. They may also try the Kent State University Scholarship database. Guidance counselors, the local community, church organizations, libraries, and places of employment are also good places to find scholarships. The Student Financial Aid Office offers assistance on how to start the search as well as publications to help your student get started.
September - December
Early January - Mid February
When they receive the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor, make sure they read it carefully and check it
March - April
Student Financial Aid Office. Initial Financial Aid Award Letters are mailed to admitted first-year
students who have completed all necessary paperwork.
If additional funding is needed after receiving the financial aid award, your student may contact the
Student Financial Aid Office for alternative sources of funding.
April - June
July - August
Kent State University offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for students enrolled at the Kent Campus and the Regional Campuses. Scholarship awards are based on a variety of criteria. Selection of winners will be made based on academic merit, demonstrated financial need, field of study, participation in a specific program, organization or activity, and/or any combination of the above. Visit the online scholarship resources for more information. There are additional scholarships available to those attending college. For external scholarships, go online to www.fastweb.com. Your student's high school guidance office, local community service organizations, churches and employers are other good sources to check for scholarships.
What if my family has a special circumstance that will affect how much we can pay?
Students who have special circumstances (i.e. loss of income, high medical expenses, etc.) should contact Donna Holcomb, Financial Aid Advisor at 440-834-3737 or email@example.com. Each inquiry at Kent State University at Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center will be reviewed for any allowable changes that may help your student afford the cost of education.
Will my student receive the same amount of financial aid next year?
If your family situation remains the same with regard to income, number in the family, number in college, and assets, and as long as we receive the results of your FAFSA data by March 1, then you can expect that your financial aid should be approximately the same amount. However, your student's loan limits will change depending on their grade level and their dependency status. In addition, your student must re-apply for financial aid every year they wish to be considered.