Whenever the governor finds that emissions from the operation of one or more air contaminant sources is causing imminent danger to public health or safety, he or she may declare an air pollution emergency and may order the person or persons responsible for the operation of such air contaminant source or sources to reduce or discontinue emissions consistent with good operating practice, safe operating procedures, and source emission reduction plans, if any, adopted by the department of ecology or any local air pollution control authority to which the department of ecology has delegated authority to adopt emission reduction plans. Orders authorized by this section shall be in writing and may be issued without prior notice or hearing. In the absence of the governor, any findings, declarations, and orders authorized by this section may be made and issued by his or her authorized representative.