(a) This section applies to natural gas electric generation facilities as identified and communicated to the secretary by the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development as sites that may be suitable for one or more natural gas electric generation facilities in accordance with § 5B-2N-1 et seq. of this code, or as identified by an applicant for a construction and operating permit for one or more natural gas electric generation facilities.

(b) The secretary shall take all reasonable steps to expedite consideration of permit applications utilizing sites designated by the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development as a site suitable for use as a natural gas electric generation facility and communicated to the secretary in accordance with § 5B-2N-1 et seq. of this code. Such steps shall include:

(1) An initial determination of whether the identified site is in compliance with national ambient air quality standards and the West Virginia State Implementation Plan; and

(2) Evaluation of whether there is sufficient data, meteorological and otherwise, that would allow acceptable modeling of the impacts of emissions from a natural gas electric generation facility, and if not, inform the Department of Economic Development where to initiate construction of sampling and measuring devices to acquire such data at the site.

(c) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this article, the secretary shall act on a permit for a natural gas electric generation facility which is determined to be a major stationary source within a reasonable time, not to exceed 270 calendar days, and for a minor stationary source, 90 days, after the secretary determines that the application is complete. The secretary must determine whether an application is complete within 30 days from the date the permit application is filed with the secretary and communicated to the permit applicant.