Section 102. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commission." The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
"Federal pipeline safety laws." The provisions of 49 U.S.C. Ch. 601 (relating to safety), the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-129, 93 Stat. 989), the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-355, 116 Stat. 2985) and the regulations promulgated under the acts.
"Gas." Natural gas, liquefied natural gas, landfill gas, synthetic natural gas and other gas as defined under the Federal pipeline safety laws.
"Hazardous liquids." Petroleum, a petroleum product, anhydrous ammonia and other hazardous liquids as defined under the Federal pipeline safety laws.
"Person." An individual, firm, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association, municipality, cooperative association or joint stock association, including any trustee, receiver, assignee or personal representative thereof. The term does not include a public utility.
"Pipeline." A part of the physical facilities through which gas or hazardous liquids move in transportation, including a pipe valve and other appurtenance attached to the pipe, compressor unit, metering station, regulator station, delivery station, holder and fabricated assembly. The term only includes pipeline regulated by Federal pipeline safety laws. The term does not include a pipeline subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
"Pipeline facility." A new or existing pipeline, right-of-way and any equipment, facility or building used in the transportation of gas or hazardous liquids or in the treatment of gas or hazardous liquids during the course of transportation. The term does not include a pipeline facility subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
"Pipeline operator." A person that owns or operates equipment or facilities in this Commonwealth for the transportation of gas or hazardous liquids by pipeline or pipeline facility regulated under Federal pipeline safety laws. The term does not include a public utility or an ultimate consumer who owns a service line on his real property.
"Public utility." The term shall mean:
(1) A public utility as defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions).
(2) A city natural gas distribution operation as defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 102.
"Transportation of gas." The gathering, transmission or distribution of gas by pipeline or the storage of gas.
"Transportation of hazardous liquids." The gathering, transmission or distribution of hazardous liquids by pipeline.
"Unconventional formation." A geological shale formation existing below the base of the Elk Sandstone or its geologic equivalent stratigraphic interval where natural gas generally cannot be produced at economic flow rates or in economic volumes except by vertical or horizontal well bores stimulated by hydraulic fracture treatments or by using multilateral well bores or other techniques to expose more of the formation of the well bore.
"Unconventional well." A borehole drilled or being drilled for the purpose of or to be used for the production of natural gas from an unconventional formation.