(1) "Cooperative" means a corporation organized under, or otherwise subject to, chapter 81 of this title.

(2) "Electric facilities" means any facilities necessary or incidental to the generation of electric power and energy or the transmission thereof, including electric generating units, electric generating plants, electric transmission lines, plant sites, rights-of-way, and real and personal property and equipment, and rights of every kind useful in connection therewith.

(3) "Municipal electric utility" means any city, town, village, or department thereof, within this State, authorized to and engaged in the manufacture, distribution, purchase, and sale of electricity in this State.

(4) "Utility," except as otherwise required by the context in which used herein, is intended to refer to cooperatives, municipal utilities, as herein defined, and private electric utilities. (Added 1977, No. 97.)