(a) The railroad commission by order may approve an application for a permit to construct a sour gas pipeline facility if the railroad commission finds that the materials to be used in and method of construction and operation of the facility comply with the rules and safety standards adopted by the railroad commission.
(b) The railroad commission may issue an order under this section without holding a hearing unless an affected party files a written protest with the railroad commission not later than the 30th day after the date notice is published under § 121.453. If an affected party files a written protest, the railroad commission shall:
(1) hold a hearing not later than the 60th day after the date the protest is filed; and
(2) issue an order:
(A) approving the permit application; or
(B) denying the application and stating the reasons for the denial.