As used in Chapter 70, Article 6 NMSA 1978:

A. "underground storage" means storage of natural gas in a subsurface stratum or formation of the earth;

B. "natural gas" means natural gas either while in its original state after withdrawal from the earth or after it has been processed by removal of component parts not essential to its use for light and fuel;

C. "native gas" means gas that has not been previously withdrawn from the earth;

D. "division" means the oil conservation division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department;

E. "commission" means the oil conservation commission;

F. "natural gas company" means any person, firm or corporation engaged in the distribution, sale or furnishing of natural gas to or for the public and subject to regulation by the New Mexico public utility commission under the Public Utility Act or any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of transporting natural gas and subject to regulation by the federal energy regulatory commission under the Natural Gas Act; and

G. "public body" means the state or any department, board, commission, bureau, institution, public agency, county or political subdivision thereof, including bodies corporate, bodies politic, municipal corporations, school districts, conservancy districts and quasi-municipal corporations of all kinds.

History: 1953 Comp., § 65-9-2, enacted by Laws 1963, ch. 139, § 2; 1977, ch. 255, § 68; 1987, ch. 234, § 66; 1993, ch. 282, § 42.

The 1993 amendment, effective June 18, 1993, substituted "that" for "which" in Subsection C and "New Mexico public utility commission" for "New Mexico public service commission" in Subsection F.

The 1987 amendment, effective July 1, 1987, in the opening clause, substituted "Chapter 70, Article 6 NMSA 1978" for "this act"; in Subsection D, substituted "energy, minerals and natural resources" for "energy and minerals"; in Subsection F, substituted "federal energy regulatory commission" for "federal power commission"; and made minor changes in language throughout the section.

Public Utility Act. — See 62-13-1 NMSA 1978 and notes thereto.

Natural Gas Act. — The federal Natural Gas Act is codified as 15 U.S.C. § 717 et seq.