149-M:75 Counsel for the Public. –
I. An application for a certificate under this subdivision shall be served contemporaneously by the applicant upon the attorney general. Upon receipt of such an application, the attorney general shall appoint an assistant attorney general as counsel for the public in connection with the committee's consideration of the application. Counsel for the public shall be deemed to represent the public as a party to the proceedings before the committee.
II. This section shall not be construed to prevent any person from being heard or represented by counsel; provided, however, the committee may compel consolidation of representation for such persons as have, in the committee's reasonable judgment, substantially identical interests.