(a) Whenever the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection is required to hold a hearing prior to approving or denying an application upon receipt of a timely filed petition signed by at least twenty-five persons pursuant to sections 22a-32, 22a-39, 22a-42a, 22a-45a, 22a-94, 22a-174, 22a-208a, 22a-349a, 22a-361, 22a-363b, 22a-371, 22a-378a, 22a-403, 22a-411, 22a-430 and 25-68d, or any regulation of the Connecticut state agencies provides that the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall hold a hearing prior to approving or denying an application upon receipt of a timely filed petition signed by at least twenty-five persons, such petition may designate a person authorized to withdraw such petition. Such authorized person may engage in discussions regarding an application and, if a resolution is reached, may withdraw the petition.

(b) If a petition is withdrawn, the authorized person shall file written notice with the commissioner and serve a copy of the withdrawal notice upon all parties and intervenors, if any, to the proceeding. The withdrawal of a petition shall result in the termination of the hearing process initiated by the petition. If the commissioner receives more than one petition that requires the holding of a hearing, all such petitions shall be withdrawn for the hearing to terminate pursuant to this section.

(c) If the petition is withdrawn after notice of a public hearing has been published, the commissioner shall publish or cause to be published, at the applicant's expense, once in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the affected area, notice of the termination of such hearing due to the withdrawal of a petition pursuant to this section.

(d) Notwithstanding the withdrawal of any petitions pursuant to this section, the commissioner may hold a public hearing, continue with a public hearing for which notice has been published or complete a public hearing that has already commenced prior to approving or denying an application, if the commissioner determines that holding or continuing such public hearing is in the public interest.

(P.A. 10-158, S. 7; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 10-158 effective June 9, 2010; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2011.