DOE office, other federal agency, department or instrumentality; or by a state or municipal agency or court; or by any law enforcement agency, including, but not limited to, a consideration or investigation in connection with any proceeding described in this part. In addition, the person shall state whether contact has been made by the person or one acting on his behalf with any person who is employed by the DOE with regard to the same issue, act or transaction or a related issue, act or transaction arising out of the same factual situation; the name of the person contacted; whether the contact was verbal or in writing; the nature and substance of the contact; and the date or dates of the contact.

(f) Request for confidential treatment. (1) If any person filing a document with the OHA claims that some or all of the information contained in the document is exempt from the mandatory public disclosure requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), is information referred to in 18 U.S.C. 1905, or is otherwise exempt by law from public disclosure, and if such person requests the OHA not to disclose such information, such person shall file together with the document two copies of the document from which has been deleted the information for which such person wishes to claim confidential treatment. The person shall indicate in the original document that it is confidential or contains confidential information and must file a statement specifying the justification for non-disclosure of the information for which confidential treatment is claimed. If the person states that the information comes within the exception codified at 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4) for trade secrets and commercial or financial information, such person shall include a statement specifying why such information is privileged or confidential. If the person filing a document does not submit two copies of the document with the confidential information deleted, the OHA may assume that there is no objection to public disclosure of the document in its entirety.

(2) The OHA retains the right to make its own determination with regard to any claim of confidentiality, under criteria specified in 10 CFR

1004.11. Notice of the decision by the OHA to deny such claim, in whole or in part, and an opportunity to respond shall be given to a person claiming confidentiality of information no less than five days prior to its public disclo

sure.

(g) Each application, petition or request for OHA action shall be submitted as a separate document, even if the applications, petitions, or requests deal with the same or a related issue. act or transaction, or are submitted in connection with the same proceeding.

§ 1003.10 Effective date of orders.

Any order issued by the OHA under this part is effective as against all persons having actual or constructive notice thereof upon issuance, in accordance with its terms, unless and until it is stayed, modified, suspended, or rescinded. An order is deemed to be issued on the date, as specified in the order, on which it is signed by the Director of the OHA or his designee, unless the order provides otherwise.

§ 1003.11 Address for filing documents.

All applications, requests, petitions, appeals, written communications and other documents to be submitted to or filed with the OHA, as provided in this part or otherwise, shall be addressed to the Office of Hearings and Appeals. U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0107. The OHA has facilities for the receipt of transmissions via FAX, at FAX Number (202) 426-1415.

[60 FR 15006, Mar. 21, 1995, as amended at 63 FR 58289, Oct. 30, 1998]

§ 1003.12 Ratification of prior directives, orders and actions.

All orders and other directives issued, all proceedings initiated, and all other actions taken in accordance with 10 CFR part 205 prior to the effective date of this part, are hereby confirmed and ratified, and shall remain in full force and effect as if issued under this part, unless or until they are altered, amended, modified or rescinded in accordance with the provisions of this part.

§1003.13 Public reference room.

A public reference room shall be maintained at the OHA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, DC. In this room, the following information shall be made available for public inspection and copying, during normal business hours:

(a) A list of all persons who have applied for an exception, or filed an appeal or petition, and a digest of each application;

(b) Each Decision and Order, with confidential information deleted, issued in response to an application for an exception, petition or other request, or at the conclusion of an appeal; and (c) Any other information in the possession of OHA which is required by statute to be made available for public inspection and copying, and any other information that the OHA determines should be made available to the public. [60 FR 15006, Mar. 21, 1995, as amended at 63 FR 58289, Oct. 30, 1998]

§ 1003.14 Notice of proceedings.

At regular intervals, the OHA shall publish on its Internet World Wide Web site, a digest of the applications, appeals, petitions and other requests filed, and a summary of the Decisions and Orders issued by the OHA, pursuant to proceedings conducted under this part. The OHA's web site is located at http://www.oha.doe.gov.

[60 FR 15006, Mar. 21, 1995, as amended at 63 FR 58289, Oct. 30, 1998]

Subpart B-Exceptions

$1003.20 Purpose and scope.

(a) This subpart establishes the procedures for applying for an exception or exemption, as provided for in section 504 (42 U.S.C. 7194) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), from a rule, regulation or DOE action having the effect of a rule as defined by 5 U.S.C. 551(4), based on an assertion of serious hardship, gross inequity or unfair distribution of burdens, and for consideration of such application by the OHA. The procedures contained in this subpart may be incorporated by reference in another DOE rule or regulation which invokes the adjudicatory authority of the Office of

(a) The applicant shall send by United States mail a copy of the application and any subsequent amendments or other documents relating to the application, or a copy from which confidential information has been deleted in accordance with §1003.9(f), to each person who is reasonably ascertainable by the applicant as a person who would be aggrieved by the OHA action sought. The copy of the application shall be accompanied by a statement that the person may submit comments regarding the application within 10 days. The application filed with the OHA shall include certification to the OHA that the applicant has complied with the requirements of this paragraph and shall include the names and addresses of each person to whom a copy of the application was sent.

(b) Notwithstanding the provision of paragraph (a) of this section, if an applicant determines that compliance with paragraph (a) of this section would be impracticable, the applicant shall:

(1) Comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section with regard to those persons whom it is reasonable and practicable to notify; and

(2) Include with the application a description of the persons or class or classes of persons to whom notice was sent. The OHA may require the applicant to provide additional or alternative notice, may determine that the notice required by paragraph (a) of this section is not impracticable, or may determine that notice should be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER.

(c) The OHA shall serve notice on any other person readily identified by the OHA as one who would be aggrieved by the OHA action sought and may serve notice on any other person that written comments regarding the application will be accepted if filed within 10 days of service of such notice.

(d) Any person submitting written comments to the OHA with respect to an application filed under this subpart shall send a copy of the comments, or a copy from which confidential information has been deleted in accordance with $1003.9(f), to the applicant. The person shall certify to the OHA that he has complied with the requirements of this paragraph. The OHA may notify other persons participating in the proceeding of such comments and provide an opportunity for such persons to respond.

§ 1003.24 Contents.

(a) The application shall contain a full and complete statement of all relevant facts pertaining to the circumstances, act or transaction that is the subject of the application and to the OHA action sought. Such facts shall include the names and addresses of all affected persons (if reasonably ascertainable); a complete statement of the business or other reasons that justify the act or transaction; a description of the acts or transactions that would be affected by the requested OHA action; and a full discussion of the pertinent provisions and relevant facts contained in the documents submitted with the application. Copies of all relevant contracts, agreements, leases, instruments, and other documents shall be submitted with the application.

(b) The applicant shall state whether he requests or intends to request that there be a conference or hearing regarding the application. Any request not made at the time the application is filed shall be made as soon thereafter as possible. The request and the OHA determination on the request shall be made in accordance with subpart F of this part.

(c) The application shall include a discussion of all relevant authorities. including, but not limited to, DOE rules, regulations, and decisions on appeals and exceptions relied upon to support the particular action sought therein.

(d) The application shall specify the exact nature and extent of the relief requested.

§ 1003.25 OHA evaluation.

(a)(1) OHA may initiate an investigation of any statement in an application and utilize in its evaluation any relevant facts obtained by such investigation. The OHA may solicit and accept submissions from third persons relevant to any application provided that the applicant is afforded an opportunity to respond to all third person submissions. In evaluating an application, the OHA may consider any other source of information. The OHA on its own initiative may convene a hearing or conference, if, in its discretion, it considers that such hearing or conference will advance its evaluation of the application. The OHA may issue appropriate orders as warranted in the proceeding.

(2) If the OHA determines that there is insufficient information upon which to base a decision and if upon request additional information is not submitted by the applicant, the OHA may dismiss the application without prejudice. If the failure to supply additional information is repeated or willful, the OHA may dismiss the application with prejudice. If the applicant fails to provide the notice required by § 1003.23, the OHA may dismiss the application without prejudice.

(b)(1) The OHA shall consider an application for an exception only when it determines that a more appropriate proceeding is not provided by DOE regulations.

(2) An application for an exception may be granted to alleviate or prevent serious hardship, gross inequity or unfair distribution of burdens.

(3) An application for an exception shall be decided in a manner that is, to the extent possible, consistent with the disposition of previous applications for exception.

$1003.26

Decision and Order.

(a) Upon consideration of the application and other relevant information received or obtained during the proceeding, the OHA shall issue an order granting or denying the application, in whole or in part.

(b) The Decision and Order shall include a written statement setting forth the relevant facts and the legal basis of the order. The Decision and Order shall provide that any person aggrieved thereby may file an appeal in accordance with § 1003.27.

(c) The OHA shall serve a copy of the Decision and Order upon the applicant, any other person who participated in the proceeding, and upon any other person readily identifiable by the OHA as one who is aggrieved by such Decision and Order.

§1003.27 Appeal of exception order.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, any person aggrieved by an order issued by the OHA under this subpart may file an appeal with the OHA in accordance with subpart C of this part. Any appeal filed under this paragraph must be filed within 30 days of service, or constructive service under §1003.14, of the order from which the appeal is taken.

(b) Any person aggrieved or adversely affected by the denial of a request for exception relief filed pursuant to §504 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7194) may appeal to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, in accordance with the Commission's regulations.

Subpart C-Appeals

$1003.30 Purpose and scope.

This subpart establishes the procedures for the filing of an administrative appeal of a DOE order and for the consideration of the appeal by the Of

fice of Hearings and Appeals. Unless a program rule or regulation or a DOE delegation of authority provides otherwise, a person aggrieved by a DOE order appealable under this subpart has not exhausted his or her administrative remedies until an appeal has been filed under this subpart and an order granting or denying the appeal has been issued. A person filing an appeal must also file an “Application for Stay" under subpart D of this part if the grant of a stay is necessary under Section 10(c) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 704) to preclude judicial review pending final action on the appeal.

§ 1003.31 Who may file.

Any person may file an appeal under this subpart who is so authorized by § 1003.27, a program rule or regulation, or a DOE delegation of authority.

§ 1003.32 What to file.

A person filing under this subpart shall file an "Appeal of Order" which should be clearly labeled as such both on the appeal and on the outside of the envelope in which the appeal is transmitted, and shall be in writing. The general filing requirements stated in § 1003.9 shall be complied with in addition to the requirements stated in this subpart.

§ 1003.33 Where to file.

The appeal shall be filed with the OHA at the address provided in § 1003.11.

§ 1003.34 Notice.

(a) The appellant shall send by United States mail a copy of the appeal and any subsequent amendments or other documents relating to the appeal, or a copy from which confidential information has been deleted in accordance with §1003.9(f), to each person who is reasonably ascertainable by the appellant as a person who would be aggrieved by the OHA action sought, including those who participated in the process that led to the issuance of the order from which the appeal has been taken. The copy of the appeal shall be accompanied by a statement that the person may submit comments regarding the appeal to the OHA within 10

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days. The appeal filed with the OHA shall include certification to the OHA that the appellant has complied with the requirements of this paragraph and shall include the names and addresses of each person to whom a copy of the appeal was sent.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, if any appellant determines that compliance with paragraph (a) of this section would be impracticable, the appellant shall:

(1) Comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section with regard to those persons whom it is reasonable and possible to notify; and

(2) Include with the appeal a description of the persons or class or classes of persons to whom notice was not sent. The OHA may require the appellant to provide additional or alternative notice, may determine that the notice required by paragraph (a) of this section is not impracticable, or may determine that notice should be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER.

(c) The OHA shall serve notice on any other person readily identifiable by the OHA as one who would be aggrieved by the OHA action sought and may serve notice on any other person that written comments regarding the appeal will be accepted if filed within 10 days of the service of that notice.

(d) Any person submitting written comments to the OHA with respect to an appeal filed under this subpart shall send a copy of the comments, or a copy from which confidential information has been deleted in accordance with §1003.9(f), to the appellant. The person shall certify to the OHA that he has complied with the requirements of this paragraph. The OHA may notify other persons participating in the proceeding of such comments and provide an opportunity for such persons to respond.

§1003.35 Contents.

(a) The appeal shall contain a concise statement of grounds upon which it is brought and a description of the relief sought. It shall include a discussion of all relevant authorities, including, but not limited to, DOE rules, regulations, and decisions on appeals and exceptions relied upon to support the appeal. If the appeal includes a request for re

lief based on significantly changed circumstances, there shall be a complete description of the events, acts, or transactions that comprise the significantly changed circumstances, and the appellant shall state why, if the significantly changed circumstance is new or newly discovered facts, such facts were not or could not have been presented during the process that led to the issuance of the order from which the appeal has been taken. For purposes of this subpart, the term "significantly changed circumstances" shall mean

(1) The discovery of material facts that were not known or could not have been known at the time of the process that led to the issuance of the order from which the appeal has been taken: (2) The discovery of a law, rule, regulation, order or decision on an appeal or any exception that was in effect at the time of the process that led to the issuance of the order from which the appeal has been taken, and which, if such had been made known to DOE. would have been relevant and would have substantially altered the outcome; or

(3) A substantial change in the facts or circumstances upon which an outstanding and continuing order affecting the appellant was issued, which change has occurred during the interval between issuance of the order and the date of the appeal and was caused by forces or circumstances beyond the control of the appellant.

(b) A copy of the order that is the subject of the appeal shall be submitted with the appeal.

(c) The appellant shall state whether he requests or intends to request that there be a conference or hearing regarding the appeal. Any request not made at the time the appeal is filed shall be made as soon thereafter as possible. The request and the OHA determination on the request shall be made in accordance with subpart F of this part.

§ 1003.36 OHA evaluation.

(a)(1) The OHA may initiate an investigation of any statement in an appeal and utilize in its evaluation any relevant facts obtained by such investigation. The OHA may solicit and accept