In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Department” means the Department of the Environment. “Gas” means natural gas, whether or not processed by the removal of component parts not essential to its use for light, heat, power, or manufactured gas of any combination or mixture. “Gas storage company” means any corporation of this State, any other state, the District of Columbia, or the United States, which is engaged in supplying gas to local consumers in this State and which desires to engage in the underground storage of gas in this State in whole or in part for either direct or ultimate distribution to its consumers. “Public body” means the State, any political subdivision, or any unit of, or created by, either the State or any political subdivision. “Underground storage” or “underground storage of gas” means the storing of gas in a geological stratum or strata beneath the surface of the earth, together with all operations necessary or convenient therefor including but not limited to the following: acquisition, preparation, alteration, maintenance, utilization, and operation of an underground storage reservoir for the storage of gas together with the injection of gas into the underground storage reservoir and its withdrawal therefrom. “Underground storage reservoir” means the stratum or strata and the subsurface areas which are or are to be used for, or in connection with, the underground storage of gas.