Section 1147-I. Environmental applications, proceedings, approvals and permits

Any application in relation to the purposes of or contemplated  by this title heretofore filed, or any proceeding heretofore  commenced,
  by  the  county  or  any  agency  thereof  with  the state department of
  environmental conservation, the  department  of  transportation  or  any
  other  state  agency  or  instrumentality  or  with  the  United  States
  environmental  protection  agency  or  any  other  federal   agency   or
  instrumentality  shall  inure to and for the benefit of the authority to
  the same extent and in the same manner as if the authority  had  been  a
  party  to  such  application  or  proceeding from its inception, and the
  authority shall be deemed a party thereto, to the extent not  prohibited
  by any federal law. Any license, approval, permit or decision heretofore
  or  hereafter  issued  or granted pursuant to or as a result of any such
  application or proceeding shall inure to the benefit of and  be  binding
  upon  the  authority  and  shall  be  assigned  and  transferred  by the
  municipalities served by the authority or  any  agency  thereof  to  the
  authority,  unless such assignment and transfer is prohibited by federal
  law.