(a) In any matter within the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority involving rates, charges or accommodation of the public, which concerns:
(1) An electric distribution company that has a service area of not more than seventeen towns, the authority shall hold hearings on such matter in at least two towns within the service area of such company;
(2) An electric distribution company that has a service area of eighteen or more towns, the authority shall hold hearings on such matter in at least three towns within the service area of such company; or
(3) Any other public service company, the authority shall hold a hearing or hearings on such matter in at least one town within the service area of such company.
(b) The authority shall select each town described in subsection (a) of this section for a hearing to suit as nearly as practicable the convenience of persons affected by the matter. Upon petition of not fewer than twenty-five persons affected by the matter, any such hearing shall be held in the evening. The authority shall have the discretion to hold the remainder of its hearings on a matter, if any, anywhere within the state of Connecticut.