A. Any person desiring to obtain a license to construct, operate and maintain an industrial gas pipeline from a licensing authority shall apply to the licensing authority in a form specified by the licensing authority and shall comply with requirements specified by the licensing authority.

B. Prior to the issuance of a license, the licensing authority shall hold a public hearing within the city, town or county where application has been made, following reasonable notice to the public, at which every applicant and its proposals shall be examined and the public and all interested parties afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard. Reasonable notice to the public includes causing notice of the time and place of the hearing to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city, town or county where application has been made once a week for two consecutive weeks. The first publication shall not be less than fourteen days before the day of the hearing. If there is no such newspaper in the city, town or county where application has been made, notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the city or town hall, if applicable, or other suitable location determined by the respective licensing authority for a period of not less than fourteen days before the day of the hearing.