<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 26.19.02.02" title_num="26" subtitle_num="19" chapter_num="02" heading="Category Determination Application Review by the Department.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Department shall conduct a detailed review of the application and all other factors relevant to a natural gas category determination under State and federal law.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>If a public hearing is requested, the Department shall notify the applicant in writing of the date, time, and location of the hearing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Within 5 working days of the Department's notification under §B of this regulation, the Department shall provide general notice, at the applicant's expense, of the public hearing as follows:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The owner of surface rights and the owner of oil and gas rights on the tract of land where the well is located, and the purchasers, if applicable, as identified by the applicant, shall be notified in writing of the date, time, and location of the hearing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A person who commented on or objected to the application shall be notified in writing of the date, time, and location of the hearing so that the person may attend and present their views either orally or in writing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>An advertisement shall be placed in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the operation is located, and in a newspaper of general circulation Statewide, once a week for 2 consecutive weeks, ending not less than 15 days before the date of the hearing, stating the date, time, and location of the hearing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A notice of the public hearing containing all pertinent information shall be placed in the Maryland Register.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A public hearing shall be held following the procedures established in COMAR 26.01.07.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The Department shall provide notice of a natural gas determination to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission within 15 days after the Department's final decision.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>