(a) Applications for assistance under the program must demonstrate:

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(1) that the project is conceptually and technically feasible;

(2) that affected political subdivisions are committed to implement the project, to provide necessary local financing, and to accept and exercise the government powers necessary to the project;

(3) that operating revenues from the project, considering the availability and security of sources of solid waste and of markets for recovered resources or the availability of materials for waste reduction or reuse, together with any proposed federal, state, or local financial assistance, will be sufficient to pay all costs over the projected life of the project;

(4) that the applicant has evaluated the feasible and prudent alternatives to disposal, including using existing solid waste management facilities and facilities conducting waste reduction or reuse with reasonably available capacity sufficient to accomplish the goals of the proposed project, and has compared and evaluated the costs of the alternatives, including capital and operating costs, and the effects of the alternatives on the cost to generators;

(5) that the applicant has identified:

(i) waste management objectives in applicable county and regional solid waste management plans consistent with section 115A.46, subdivision 2, paragraphs (e) and (f), or 473.149, subdivision 1; and

(ii) other solid waste management facilities and facilities conducting waste reduction or reuse identified in the county and regional plans;

(6) that the applicant has conducted a comparative analysis of the project against existing public and private solid waste management facilities and facilities conducting waste reduction or reuse, including an analysis of potential displacement of those facilities, to determine whether the project is the most appropriate alternative to achieve the identified waste management objectives that considers:

(i) conformity with approved county or regional solid waste management plans;

(ii) consistency with the state’s solid waste hierarchy and section 115A.46, subdivision 2, paragraphs (e) and (f), or 473.149, subdivision 1; and

(iii) environmental standards related to public health, air, surface water, and groundwater;

(7) that the applicant has evaluated the project’s environmental impact on climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions; and

(8) that the applicant has reviewed the project’s impact on environmental justice areas, conducted stakeholder engagement, and assessed community input.

(b) The commissioner must require completion of a comprehensive solid waste management plan conforming to the requirements of section 115A.46, before accepting an application. Within five days of filing an application with the agency, the applicant must submit a copy of the application to each solid waste management facility, including each facility used for waste reduction or reuse, mentioned in the portion of the application addressing the requirements of paragraph (a), clauses (5) and (6).