Whenever used in this part, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

“Department” means the department of budget and finance.

“Energy project” means any facilities for each single project or multiproject program of a project party, including a publicly owned energy cooperative, which is certified by the public utilities commission as being for the local furnishing of electric energy or gas; provided that any new generating unit for the production or generation of electric energy from fossil fuels shall not be considered an energy project for purposes of this part unless specifically authorized in any act providing for the authorization of the issuance of bonds pursuant to this part.

“Local furnishing of electric energy or gas” means providing property or land that is or will be:

(1) Depreciable property or land;

(2) Used to produce, collect, generate, transmit, store, distribute, or convey electric energy or gas, including without limitation, air or water pollution control facilities;

(3) Used in the trade or business of furnishing electric energy or gas; and

(4) Part of a system providing service to the general public of not more than two contiguous counties in the State.

“Project” means any energy project or telecommunications project.

“Project agreement” means any agreement entered into under this part by the department with the project party for the financing from the proceeds of special purpose revenue bonds of a telecommunications project or an energy project, including without limitation any loan agreement.

“Project party” means an electric or gas utility, including a publicly owned energy cooperative, serving the general public and that is regulated by the public utilities commission under chapter 269, or a telecommunications carrier or telecommunications common carrier, whether or not subject to regulation by the public utilities commission under chapter 269.

“Special purpose revenue bonds” or “bonds” mean bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued pursuant to this part.

“Telecommunications carrier” or “telecommunications common carrier” has the meaning defined by § 269-1.

“Telecommunications project” means any facilities for each single project or multiproject program for the provision of telecommunications service of a project party that is a telecommunications carrier or a telecommunications common carrier.

“Telecommunications service” has the meaning defined by section269-1.