Examination of Current Policy Concerning the Treatment of Confidential Information Submitted to the Commission

Riepilogo

The Commission has adopted a Notice of Inquiry and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to begin a proceeding to evaluate its practices and policies concerning the treatment of competitively sensitive information that has been provided to the Commission. The Commission's objective is to develop a policy that will guide it in evaluating an increasing number of requests that it afford confidential treatment to information that has been provided to it by regulated entities and others. The central issue that confronts the Commission is how to avoid unnecessary competitive harm that could be caused by the disclosures of such information and still fulfill its regulatory duties in a manner that is efficient and fair to the parties and members of the public who have an interest in its proceedings.