Section 142C. Other air pollution control districts similar to that established by section one hundred and forty-two B may be formed upon approval of the department. Each such district shall be composed of two or more political subdivisions of the commonwealth and of contiguous territory. Cities or towns wishing to form such a district shall make joint application to the department, requesting the department to approve such district and to effect the control of air pollution therein. The powers, duties, and rights of the department in the exercise of air pollution control in such districts and the manner in which funds shall be made available to it shall be as provided in section one hundred and forty-two B.