As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

“Authority” means the Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority established pursuant to this article.

“Coal mine methane” means methane gas captured and produced from an underground gob area associated with a mined-out coal seam that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere.

“Developer” means any private developer of an energy development project.

“Energy development project” means any activity that generates, produces, or stores energy, any energy efficiency system, and any supporting ancillary activities located within Southwest Virginia and includes interests in land, improvements, and ancillary facilities and research, development, commercialization, and deployment activities designated by the Authority to the nonprofit collaborative.

“Nonprofit collaborative” means a multi-site nonprofit innovative energy technology testbed established as a collaborative effort of the Department of Energy, the Authority, and the Authority’s business partners to support the Authority’s purpose through energy technology research, development, commercialization, and deployment.

“Southwest Virginia” means the region of the Commonwealth designated as Southwest Virginia in § 22.1-350.

“Southwest Virginia Energy Park” means the nonprofit collaborative.