(a) The commission or the presiding officer may grant any person status as an intervenor in a contested case if the commission or the presiding officer finds that: (1) such person has submitted a written petition to the commission and served copies on all parties and intervenors, at least five (5) days before the date of hearing; and (2) the petition states facts that demonstrate that the petitioner’s participation is in the interests of justice and shall not impair the orderly conduct of the proceeding. The five-day requirement in this subsection may be waived at any time before or after commencement of the hearing by the commission or the presiding officer on a showing of good cause. The commission or presiding officer may define an intervenor’s participation in the manner set forth in subsection (d) of section 4-177a of the general statutes.

(b) The conferring of intervenor status by the commission or the presiding officer shall not be deemed to be an admission by the commission that such intervenor may be aggrieved by any decision, order or ruling of the commission.