Sec. 5. An operator may enter into agreements for maintenance or other services under this article with the authority, the department, or other state agencies. The authority may:
(1) with the assistance of all applicable state agencies, establish a unified permitting and licensing process for the processing and issuance of all necessary permits and licenses for projects under this article, including, but not limited to, all environmental permits and business and tax licenses; and
(2) provide other services for which the authority is reimbursed, including, but not limited to, preliminary planning, environmental certification (including the procurement of all necessary environmental permits), and preliminary design of projects under this article.