(a) The department shall evaluate and select potential sites for hazardous waste management facilities in the state. In evaluating and selecting sites for management facilities, the department shall consider at least the following factors:
(1) economic feasibility, including proximity to concentrations of generators of the types of hazardous waste likely to be proposed and permitted for management;
(2) intrinsic suitability of the sites;
(3) federal and state pollution control and environmental protection regulations;
(4) the risk and effect for local residents, units of government, and the local public health, safety, and welfare, including such dangers as an accidental release of waste during transportation to a facility or at a facility, water, air, and land pollution, and fire or explosion;
(5) the consistency of a facility with, and its effect on, existing and planned local land use and development; local laws, ordinances, and permits; and local public facilities and services; and
(6) the adverse effects of a facility at the site on agriculture and natural resources and opportunities to mitigate or eliminate the adverse effects by stipulations, conditions, and requirements relating to the design and operation of a management facility at the proposed site.
(b) The department shall adopt regulations that
(1) interpret and clarify the factors listed in (a) of this section; and
(2) establish procedures for processing, reviewing, and approving or disapproving applications for the siting and operation of privately owned hazardous waste management facilities.
(c) The department may authorize the siting and operation of privately owned hazardous waste management facilities in accordance with factors and requirements established under this section.
(d) The department shall hold public hearings in each house district in which a hazardous waste management facility site is proposed to be located. The department shall give reasonable public notice of the time, date, and place of each public hearing at least 30 days before the hearing. The public shall be afforded an opportunity at each hearing to submit written and oral testimony concerning a potential site.
(e) In this section, “intrinsic suitability” of a site means that, based on existing data on the inherent and natural attributes, physical features, and location of the site, there is no known reason why a waste management facility that may be located in the site could not reasonably be expected to qualify for a permit under AS 46.03.302.