Arkansas Code Title 23. Public Utilities and Regulated Industries § 23-18-516. Public hearing

(a)(1) Upon receipt of an application complying with §§ 23-18-511--23-18-514, the Arkansas Public Service Commission shall promptly fix a date for the commencement of a public hearing thereon, which date shall be not fewer than forty (40) days nor more than one hundred eighty (180) days after the receipt of the application, and shall conclude the proceedings as expeditiously as practicable.

(2) The testimony presented at such hearing may be presented in writing or orally, provided that the commission may make rules designed to exclude repetitive, redundant, or irrelevant testimony.

(b)(1) On an application for an amendment of a certificate, the commission shall hold a hearing in the same manner as a hearing is held on an application for a certificate if the commission affirmatively finds from the application, within thirty (30) days from the date of filing, that the proposed change in the facility would result in any material increase in any environmental or economic impact of the facility or that a substantial change will occur in the location of all or a portion of the facility other than as provided in the alternates set forth in the original application.

(2) If the commission does not make such a finding by order within thirty (30) days after filing the application for amendment, the amendment shall become effective and the certificate shall be deemed to be amended as requested.