As used in this act:

    (a) “Commission” means the public service commission.

    (b) “Gas” means natural gas, flammable gas, or gas that is toxic or corrosive.

    (c) “Person” means an individual, firm, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association, municipality, cooperative association, or joint stock association, and includes a trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative of such an entity.

    (d) “Pipeline facilities” includes, but is not limited to, new and existing pipeline rights-of-way, and any equipment, facility, or building used in the transportation of gas or the treatment of gas during the course of transportation.

    (e) “Transportation of gas” means the gathering, transmission, or distribution of gas by pipeline or the storage of gas. Transportation of gas does not include the gathering of gas in rural locations that lie outside the limits of an incorporated or unincorporated city, town, village, or other designated residential or commercial area such as a subdivision, business or shopping center, community development, or similar populated area that the commission may define as a nonrural area. Transportation of gas includes gathering lines located in or occupying the property of schools, hospitals, churches, parks, or similar public places.