Any interested person may file with the commission a protest or memo of opposition to or in support of the issuance of a certificate or permit. A public hearing shall be held on such application if the applicant or any person having a substantial interest in the proceeding shall so request within such time as the commission shall by reasonable regulation provide, unless the commission be of the opinion that such request be not made in good faith or made for the purpose of delay, in which case the commission shall set forth in writing their reasons for such refusal.
Ala. Code § 37-9-17 (1975)