1. A municipality, upon the approval of its governing body, may submit an application to the commissioner, in such form and containing such information as the commissioner may require, for state assistance payments toward the cost of a project which is within the state of New York and which is eligible for state assistance pursuant to this title.
2. The commissioner shall review such project application and may approve, disapprove or recommend modifications thereto consistent with applicable law, criteria, standards or rules and regulations relative to such projects.
3. Upon approval of a project application, a municipality shall enter into a contract, as further provided within this article, with the commissioner for state assistance payments toward the cost of such project to be received pursuant to this article.
4. No monies shall be expended for municipal waste reduction or recycling projects except pursuant to an appropriation therefor.