| 11 | 30 | | (e) No proposed purchased gas adjustment, energy adjustment charge or credit or transmission rate shall become effective until the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has approved such charges or credits. [pursuant to an administrative proceeding. Such an administrative proceeding] The authority may hold a hearing on such charges, provided the authority shall hold a hearing on such charges at the request of the electric distribution or gas company, interested persons or members of the public. Any such hearing shall be open to the public and, if held, shall be convened within ten days of the filing of an application by an electric distribution or gas company. [requesting such a proceeding.] Notice of such application and [proceeding] any hearing shall be published at least five days prior to such [proceeding] hearing, which may include publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area served by such company. The authority shall receive and consider comments of interested persons and members of the public at such a [proceeding] hearing, which shall not be considered a contested case for purposes of title 4, this title or any regulation adopted thereunder. Any approval or denial of the authority pursuant to this subsection shall not be deemed an order, authorization or decision of the authority for purposes of section 16-35. After notice and hearing, the authority shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, which shall include the requirements of the filing to support the requested charge or credit. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, in the event that the authority has not rendered an approval or denial concerning any such application within [five] fifteen days of the day the [administrative proceeding shall have been convened] authority received the application, the proposed charges or credits (1) shall become effective at the option of the company pending the authority's finding with respect to such charges, or (2) in the discretion of the authority, may become effective upon the filing by the company with the authority of an assurance. Such assurance may include a bond with surety, and shall satisfy the authority of the company's ability and willingness to refund to its customers any such amounts as the company may collect from them in excess of the charges approved by the authority in its finding. |
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