Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no municipality, local government unit, or state department or agency, except the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality as set out in § 23-18-506, may require any approval, consent, permit, certificate, or other condition for the construction, operation, or maintenance of a major utility facility authorized by a certificate issued pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter. Nothing in this subchapter shall prevent the application of state laws for the protection of employees engaged in the construction, operation, or maintenance of the major utility facility.