1026                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                       [CH. 712

age of gas; and the injection of gas into such underground storage
reservoir and the withdrawal of gas therefrom.

(c)   "Underground storage reservoir" means the stratum or strata
and the subsurface areas thereof which are, or are to be, used for,
or in connection with, underground storage of gas.

(d)   "Gas Storage Company" means any corporation of this State,
any other state, the District of Columbia, or of 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.

(e)   "Public body" means the State of Maryland or any political
subdivision thereof, or any commission, department, board, agency,
institution or bureau of, or created by, either the State of Maryland
or any political subdivision thereof.

695B.

Subject to the limitations and provisions contained in this sub-
heading, a gas storage company may acquire by eminent domain
the right to utilize for underground storage of gas, geological strata
lying not less than 800 feet below the surface of a maximum of 12,000
acres of land in Prince George's County; provided, that such 12,000
acres shall be within the area located (a) west of the highway desig-
nated as U.S. 301 (where presently located); (b) north of the Charles
County boundary line; (c) east of 76 degrees 56 minutes 30 seconds
west longitude; and (d) south of 38 degrees 45 minutes 45 seconds
north latitude. The use of eminent domain in any case under this
section shall be in the manner provided in Article 33A of the Public
General Laws of Maryland, the provisions of which Article are
hereby made applicable in any such case.

695C.

Subject to the limitations and provisions contained in this sub-
heading, a gas storage company may acquire, by negotiation and
agreement, the right to utilize for underground storage of gas,
geological strata owned by any public body and lying not less than
800 feet below the surface of land in Prince George's County, which
right every such public body is hereby authorized to grant for such
consideration as may be agreed upon with such gas storage company.
In the event such gas storage company and such public body cannot
agree upon such consideration, or if there is no public authority other
than the General Assembly which has power to enter into such
agreement, then such gas storage company may acquire such right by
eminent domain, in the manner provided in Article 33A of the Public
General Laws of Maryland for the taking by eminent domain of
private property for a public use, the provisions of which Article
are hereby made applicable in any such case. In any such case in
which the State of Maryland shall be made a party, service of process
may be had upon the Attorney General.

695D.

A gas storage company may acquire by eminent domain the rights
provided for in Sections 695B and 695C of this subheading, in geo-
logical strata lying not less than 800 feet below the surface of land