What often happens during the public comment stage of a permit application?
Answer
Competitors may challenge the project to protect their market share
The public comment period allows stakeholders to voice their opinions regarding a proposed project. During this phase, existing local facilities often intervene to oppose the application, arguing that their current services are sufficient to meet the local demand. By challenging the necessity of the new proposal, these incumbents aim to prevent new competitors from entering the market, which keeps the approval process highly contentious and can extend the timeline significantly.

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