(a) The joint review team is authorized to waive application of any state or local statutes, regulations, or requirements enacted or promulgated after the commencement of construction of a major energy project, unless the general assembly explicitly prohibits such waiver. No waiver pursuant to this section shall take effect unless:

(1) The team finds that the waiver is necessary to ensure timely and cost-effective completion and operation of the facility; and

(2) The team, after consultation with the agency responsible for implementing the statute, regulation, or requirement to be waived, finds that the waiver will not unduly endanger public health or safety.

(b)

(1) For the purposes of this section, “commencement of construction” means that the owner or operator of a major energy project has obtained all necessary preconstruction approvals or permits required by state or local laws or regulations and either has:

(A) Begun or caused to begin, a continuous program of physical on-site construction of the facility, including site clearance, grading, dredging, or land filling in preparation for the fabrication, erection, or installation of the building components of the facility; or

(B) Entered into binding agreements or contractual obligations, which cannot be cancelled or modified without substantial loss to the owner or operator, to undertake a program of construction of the facility to be completed within a reasonable time.

(2) For the purpose of this subsection (b), interruptions resulting from acts of God, strikes, litigation, or other matters beyond the control of the owner shall be disregarded in determining whether such construction is continuous.