This article does not apply to any development in existence or in possession of applicable state or local licenses to operate or under construction on January 1, 1970, or to any development the construction and operation of which has been specifically authorized by the Legislature prior to May 9, 1970, or to public service corporation transmission lines, except transmission lines carrying 100 kilovolts or more, nor does it apply to the renewal or revision of leases of parcels of land upon which a structure or structures have been located as of March 15, 1972, nor to the rebuilding or reconstruction of natural gas pipelines or transmission lines within the same right-of-way. For purposes of this paragraph, development that reuses a building and associated facilities in existence on January 1, 1970 is exempt from review under this article. When determining if development meets the definition of "development of state or regional significance that may substantially affect the environment" and therefore is subject to review under this article, the department may not consider development in existence on January 1, 1970 that is exempt from review pursuant to this paragraph. When reviewing a proposal for development of state or regional significance that may substantially affect the environment under this article, the department may not consider in the review any development in existence on January 1, 1970 that is exempt from review pursuant to this paragraph. [2011, c. 551, §1 (AMD).]