off-ramp
n.— «Authors of the initiative recognized the flaw and, during the campaign to pass the measure, agreed to make improvements if it passed. After it passed, Xcel Energy and the initiative backers worked with state legislators to cap financial impacts from the standard to no more than 1 percent above what customers would pay if conventional resources were added to the system instead of renewables—an “off-ramp” as it is called.… Similarly, Minnesota’s renewable energy standard contains “off ramps” in the event that costs for renewable energy become too high, but we believe we can meet the aggressive, 30-percent standard in a financially prudent manner.» —“Wind energy quote out of context” by Steve Roalstad Park Rapids Enterprise (Minnesota) Feb. 6, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
There was a time when William Shakespeare was just another little seven-year-old in school. Classes in his day were demanding — and all in Latin. A new book argues that this rigorous curriculum actually nurtured the creativity that later flourished...
John in Omaha, Nebraska, wonders about a phrase that encourages someone to attend an event or risk being left out or feeling uncool: be there or be square. Don’t fall for the fake etymology about people wearing boxes on their heads! Ditto for...