(1) A public hearing with reference to pollution control may be held before the department. Persons designated to conduct the hearing shall be described as presiding officers and shall be disinterested and technically qualified persons.

  (2) A copy of each permit, permit application, order, compliance plan and schedule of compliance, emissions or compliance monitoring report, sample analysis, compliance certification, or other report or information required under this part, rules promulgated under this part, or permits or orders issued under this part shall be available to the public to the extent provided by the freedom of information act, Act No. 442 of the Public Acts of 1976, being section 15.231 to 15.246 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

  (3) A person whose activities are regulated under this part may designate a record or other information, or a portion of a record, permit application, or other information furnished to or obtained by the department or its agents, as being only for the confidential use of the department. The department shall notify the person asserting confidentiality of a request for public records under section 5 of the freedom of information act, Act No. 442 of the Public Acts of 1976, being section 15.235 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the scope of which includes information that has been designated by the regulated person as being confidential. The person asserting confidentiality has 25 days after the receipt of the notice to demonstrate to the department that the information designated as confidential should not be disclosed because the information is a trade secret or secret process, or is production, commercial, or financial information the disclosure of which would jeopardize the competitive position of the person from whom the information was obtained, and make available information not otherwise publicly available. The department shall grant the request for the information unless the person regulated under this part demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the information should not be disclosed. If there is a dispute between the person asserting confidentiality and the person requesting information under Act No. 442 of the Public Acts of 1976, the department shall make the decision to grant or deny the request. After the department makes a decision to grant a request, the information requested shall not be released until 8 business days after the regulated person’s receipt of notice of the department’s decision. This does not prevent the use of the information by the department in compiling or publishing analyses or summaries relating to ambient air quality if the analyses or summaries do not identify the person or reveal information which is otherwise confidential under this section. This section does not render data on the quantity, composition, or quality of emissions from any source confidential. Data on the amount and nature of air contaminants emitted from a source shall be available to the public.