The following words and terms, as used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
"Judge" means an administrative law judge, the BPU or a single Commissioner of the BPU who presides over a contested case under N.J.S.A. 48:2-32.
"Public hearing" means a hearing conducted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:14B-4(g) because the law requires the hearing in conjunction with the contested case. It is not an "evidentiary hearing" or "plenary hearing" as defined in N.J.A.C. 1:1-2.1. It is a hearing to which the public is specifically invited to attend and express views, to provide comments or to raise objections to the subject matter being considered.
N.J. Admin. Code § 1:14-2.1
See: 23 New Jersey Register 3647(a).