Petition for public hearing. Withdrawal of petition

(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 (b) If a petition is withdrawn, the authorized person shall file written notice with the commissioner and serve a copy of the withdrawal notice upon all parties and intervenors, if any, to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If the commissioner receives more than one petition that requires the holding of a hearing, all such petitions shall be withdrawn for the hearing to terminate pursuant to this section. (c) If the petition is withdrawn after notice of a public hearing has been published, the commissioner shall publish or cause to be published, at the applicant's expense, once in a newspaper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.