Pub. Resources Code, § 25509.5

No sooner than 15 days after the conclusion of the presentations pursuant to Section 25509, the commission shall commence nonadjudicatory hearings. Such hearings shall identify issues for adjudication in hearings pursuant to Section 25513, issues which may be eliminated from further consideration in the notice proceedings, and issues which should be deferred to the certification proceeding. Any person may participate to the extent deemed reasonable and relevant by the presiding member of the commission in any such hearing. In scheduling such hearings the presiding member shall confer with the public adviser to provide that the hearing dates and locations are as convenient as possible for interested parties and the public. Such hearings shall be conducted in order to accomplish all of the following purposes:

(a) To set forth the electrical demand basis for the proposed site and related facility.

(b) To provide knowledge and understanding of proposed facilities and sites.

(c) To obtain the views and comments of the public, parties, and concerned governmental agencies on the environmental, public health and safety, economic, social, and land use impacts of the facility at the proposed sites.

(d) To solicit information regarding reasonable alternative sources of the electric generating capacity or energy to be provided by alternative sites and related facilities, or combinations thereof, which will better carry out the policies and objectives of this division.