(a) (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this article or the Public Utilities Article, on application to the Public Service Commission for a certificate of public convenience and necessity associated with power plant construction in accordance with § 7-207 of the Public Utilities Article, the Commission shall notify immediately the Department and the Department of the Environment of the application. (2) The Commission shall supply the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of the Environment with any pertinent information available regarding the application. (3) The Department of the Environment shall treat the application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity as an application for: (i) Appropriation or use of waters of the State under Title 5 of the Environment Article; and (ii) A license for dredging and filling under Title 16 of the Environment Article. (b) (1) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, within 6 months after the Commission deems an application complete: (i) The Secretary shall require the Department of Natural Resources to complete an independent environmental and socioeconomic project assessment report and any additional required study and investigation concerning the application; and (ii) The Secretary of the Environment shall require the Department of the Environment to study and investigate the necessity for dredging and filling at the proposed plant site and water appropriation or use. (2) (i) In accordance with the Commission's procedural schedule for an application and subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, within 6 months after the Commission deems an application complete, the Secretary and the Secretary of the Environment jointly shall submit to the Commission: 1. The results of the studies, investigations, and reports required under paragraph (1) of this subsection; 2. A recommendation that the certificate should be granted or denied and the factual basis for the recommendation; and 3. Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, recommended licensing conditions for the construction, operation, or decommissioning of the proposed facility. (ii) 1. A licensing condition submitted under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph that relates to wetlands, stormwater management, or erosion and sediment control must be consistent with the wetland, stormwater management, and erosion and sediment control requirements in the Environment Article. 2. A licensing condition submitted under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph that relates to wetlands, stormwater management, or erosion and sediment control may not exceed the authority of the Department of the Environment. (3) The Commission may waive a deadline under this section: (i) For good cause; or (ii) On agreement of the parties to the proceeding. (c) The submissions made to the Commission under subsection (b)(2) of this section shall be: (1) Open for public inspection; and (2) Presented jointly by the Secretary and the Secretary of the Environment, or their designees, at the hearing held by the Commission in accordance with Title 7, Subtitle 2 of the Public Utilities Article.
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