(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the department shall not issue a permit to install or an operating permit to a municipal solid waste incinerator unless the municipal solid waste incinerator is located at least 1,000 feet from all of the following:

    (a) A residential dwelling.

    (b) A public or private elementary or secondary school.

    (c) A preschool facility for infants or children.

    (d) A hospital.

    (e) A nursing home.

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a municipal solid waste incinerator that existed prior to June 15, 1993, or to the modification; alteration; expansion, including, but not limited to, the addition of 1 or more combustion units and any accompanying features or fixtures; or retrofit of such a municipal solid waste incinerator after June 15, 1993, regardless of whether the activity requires a permit.

    (3) For the purposes of this section, a municipal solid waste incinerator existed prior to June 15, 1993 if either of the following applies:

    (a) It was issued a permit to operate or a permit to install for installation, construction, modification, alteration, or retrofit prior to June 15, 1993, unless it was denied a permit to operate prior to June 15, 1993.

    (b) It is located at a geographical site at which 1 or more incinerator units incinerated waste during the 6 months prior to June 15, 1993.