The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may continue in effect any general permit issued by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of this title for a period of twelve months beyond the expiration date for such permit, provided the commissioner publishes notice, not later than one hundred eighty days prior to the expiration date of such general permit of the intent to renew such general permit in accordance with any applicable provision of this title. Any such general permit continued in effect beyond its expiration date shall remain in effect until the commissioner makes a final decision on the renewal of such general permit, in accordance with the provisions of this title, provided such final decision is made on or before the twelfth month after the expiration date. If no final decision is made within such time period, such general permit shall expire. The commissioner may require the remittance of a registration fee in an amount not to exceed the existing registration fee for such general permit whenever a general permit is continued in effect beyond its expiration date in accordance with the provisions of this section. Nothing in this section shall affect the obligation of any person to register for a general permit pursuant to the provisions of this title in a timely fashion or to comply with any general permit issued by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of this title.