The presiding officer in any oral hearing shall conduct a fair hearing, develop a record that will contribute to informed decisionmaking, and, within the framework of the Commission's orders, have the power necessary to achieve these ends, including the power to:
Take action to avoid unnecessary delay and maintain order;
Dispose of procedural requests;
Question participants and witnesses, and entertain suggestions as to questions which may be asked of participants and witnessess;
Order consolidation of participants;
Establish the order of presentation;
Hold conferences before or during the hearing;
Establish reasonable time limits;
Limit the number of witnesses; and
Strike or reject duplicative or irrelevant presentations.
Where the Commission itself does not preside:
The presiding officer may certify questions or refer rulings to the Commission for decision;
Any hearing order may be modified by the Commission; and
The presiding officer will certify the completed hearing record to the Commission, which may then issue its opinion on the hearing or provide that additional testimony be presented.