PART 1045—NUCLEAR CLASSIFICATION AND DECLASSIFICATION Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2011; E.O. 13526, 75 FR 705, 3 CFR 2010 Comp., pp. 298-327. Source: 83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, unless otherwise noted. Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 1045 appear at 88 FR 41294, June 26, 2023, and 88 FR 82238, Nov. 24, 2023. Subpart A—Introduction § 1045.5 What is the purpose of this part? (a) This part implements sections 141, 142, and 146 of the Atomic Energy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq. Classified National Security Information. (1) Subpart A—“Introduction” specifies to whom these rules apply, describes how to submit comments or suggestions concerning the policies and procedures in this part, describes how to request an exemption from or an equivalency to a provision in this part; outlines sanctions imposed for violating the policies and procedures in this part; defines key terms; and lists acronyms used in this part. (2) Subpart B—“Program Management of Restricted Data (RD), Formerly Restricted Data (RD), and Transclassified Foreign Nuclear Information (TFNI) Classification Programs” specifies responsibilities of officials in DOE and other agencies in the role of identifying RD, transclassifying RD to FRD or to TFNI, and returning FRD or TFNI to RD; discusses the systematic declassification review of information/matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI; and describes the “no comment” policy. (3) Subpart C—“Determining if Information is RD, FRD, or TFNI” describes how information is initially classified as RD, transclassified as FRD or TFNI, or declassified; lists criteria for evaluating whether RD, FRD, or TFNI should be classified or declassified; describes the prohibitions against classifying information as RD, FRD, or TFNI; lists areas of information that are presumed to be RD or unclassified; specifies how privately generated information may be classified as RD; defines the classification levels; describes how to submit proposals for RD, FRD, and TFNI; describes how to challenge the classification or declassification of RD, FRD, or TFNI; and describes the issuance of classification guides to promulgate classification and declassification determinations. (4) Subpart D—“Classifying and Declassifying Matter Containing RD, FRD, or TFNI” describes who has the authority to classify and declassify matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI; the appointment and training of these individuals; discusses the use of classified addendums; describes classification by association or compilation; specifies who must review matter that potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI intended for public release; describes what to do if an RD Derivative Classifier or a person trained to classify matter containing TFNI cannot locate classification guidance to make a determination; describes the classification and declassification marking requirements; and states the prohibition against the automatic declassification of matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI. (5) Subpart E—“Government-wide Procedures for Handling Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Requests for Matter Marked as or Potentially Containing RD, FRD, or TFNI” describes how agencies process FOIA or MDR requests and appeals for matter marked as or potentially containing RD, FRD, or TFNI. (6) Subpart F—“DOE Procedures for MDR Requests” describes how DOE FOIA and MDR requests and appeals for matter marked as or potentially containing NSI, RD, FRD, or TFNI are submitted and processed. (b) [Reserved] § 1045.10 To whom does this part apply? (a) Subparts A, B, C, and D apply to— (1) Any person or agency with access to RD, FRD, or TFNI; (2) Any person or agency who generates information that has the potential to be RD, FRD, or TFNI; and (3) Any person or agency who generates matter that potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI. (b) Subpart E applies to government agencies who receive Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) requests for matter that is marked as or potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI. (c) Subpart F applies to DOE and to any person submitting a Mandatory Declassification Review request for DOE matter. § 1045.15 What is the process for submitting a question or a comment on any of the policies and procedures contained in this part? Any person who has a question or a comment on DOE's classification and declassification policies and procedures under this part may submit the question or comment in writing to the Director, Office of Classification, EHSS-60/Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. The correspondence should contain the question or comment, include applicable background information and/or citations, as appropriate, and must provide an address for the response. The Director will make every effort to respond within 60 days. Under no circumstance will anyone be subject to retribution for asking a question or making a comment regarding DOE's classification and declassification policies and procedures. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41294, June 26, 2023] § 1045.20 How does an agency request an exemption or equivalency to meet a provision in this part? The agency must submit a request for an exemption or an equivalency to the procedural provisions under this part in writing to the Director, Office of Classification, EHSS-60/Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. The request must provide all relevant facts, to include any applicable citations, describing the procedure and why the exemption or equivalency is required. If the request is for an equivalency, it must include a proposed alternate procedure to meet the intent of the procedure for which the equivalency is being requested. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41294, June 26, 2023] § 1045.25 What actions can be taken against a person who violates the requirements in this part? Any knowing, willful, or negligent action contrary to the requirements of this part that results in the misclassification of information is subject to appropriate sanctions. Such sanctions may range from administrative sanctions ( e.g., § 1045.30 What definitions apply to this part? The following definitions apply to this part: Agency Associate RD Management Official (ARDMO) Atomic Energy Act (AEA) et seq. Automatic Declassification Classification Classification category Classification guidance e.g., Classification guide Classified information (1) Information determined to be RD, FRD, or TFNI under the AEA and this part, or (2) Information that has been determined pursuant to E.O. 13526 or any predecessor order to require protection against unauthorized disclosure and is marked to indicate its classification status when in documentary form. Classification level (1) Top Secret (TS) (2) Secret (S) (3) Confidential (C) Classified matter Contractor Declassification (1) Information no longer warrants protection against unauthorized disclosure in the interest of the national security; or (2) Matter no longer contains or reveals classified information. DOE Director, Office of Classification, Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security Downgrading (1) A decision by DOE that information classified as RD or TFNI is classified at a lower level than currently identified in a DOE or joint classification guide; (2) A joint decision by DOE and the Department of Defense (DoD) that FRD is classified at a lower level than currently identified in a DOE or joint classification guide; or (3) A decision by an RD Derivative Classifier (or in the case of TFNI, a person trained to derivatively classify TFNI) based on classification guides and bulletins that matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI is classified at a lower level than currently marked. (4) A decision, based on a DOE or joint classification guide, by an authorized person that matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI is classified at a less sensitive category ( e.g., Formerly Restricted Data (FRD) Government Government information Information Initial determination Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) Matter National security National Security Information (NSI) Nuclear weapon Originating activity, e.g., Person (1) Any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust, estate, public or private institution, group, Government agency other than the Commission, any State or any political subdivision of, or any political entity within a State, any foreign government or nation or any political subdivision of any such government or nation, or other entity; and (2) Any legal successor, representative, agent, or agency of the foregoing. Portion marking e.g., Restricted Data (RD) RD Derivative Classifier RD Management Official (RDMO) Secretary Source document Special nuclear materials Transclassified Foreign Nuclear Information (TFNI) (1) Information concerning the nuclear energy programs of other nations (including subnational groups) that is removed from the RD category under the AEA (section 142(e)) after DOE and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) jointly determine that the information is necessary to carry out intelligence-related activities under the National Security Act of 1947, as amended, and that the information can be adequately protected in a manner similar to NSI. TFNI includes information removed from the RD category by past agreements between DOE and the Director of Central Intelligence or past and future agreements with the DNI. (2) TFNI does not include: (i) RD or FRD concerning United Kingdom (U.K.) or Canadian programs; (ii) Any U.S. RD or FRD, including that which the U.S. has transmitted to other nations; (iii) Any evaluation of foreign information based on the use of U.S. RD or FRD unless also specifically transclassified to TFNI or any evaluation that could reveal such data concerning the U.S., U.K., or Canadian programs; (iv) Classified atomic energy information received from a foreign government pursuant to an agreement imposing security measures equivalent for those in effect for RD; or (v) Classified information on the Tripartite Gas Centrifuge and its successor programs, including data on the gas centrifuge work of each of the participants. TFNI guideline Upgrading (1) A decision by DOE that information classified as RD or TFNI is classified at a higher level than currently identified in a DOE or joint classification guide; (2) A joint decision by DOE and DoD that FRD is classified at a higher level than currently identified in a DOE or joint classification guide; or (3) A decision by an RD Derivative Classifier, (or in the case of TFNI, a person trained to classify TFNI) based on classification guidance, that matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI is classified at a higher level or category than currently marked. This includes correcting the classification level or category of matter that was never marked as well as matter erroneously marked as unclassified. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41294, June 26, 2023] § 1045.35 What acronyms are commonly used in this part? The following acronyms are commonly used throughout this part: AEA—The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq. ARDMO—Associate RD Management Official C—Confidential CD—Compact Disk CFR—Code of Federal Regulations CUI—Controlled Unclassified Information DCI—Director of Central Intelligence DNI—Director of National Intelligence DoD—Department of Defense DOE—Department of Energy E.O.—Executive order FOIA—Freedom of Information Act FRD—Formerly Restricted Data IC—Intelligence Community ICD—Intelligence Community Directive ICPG—Intelligence Community Policy Guidance ISCAP—Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel MDR—Mandatory Declassification Review NNSA—National Nuclear Security Administration NRC—Nuclear Regulatory Commission NSI—National Security Information Pub. L.—Public Law RD—Restricted Data RDMO—RD Management Official S—Secret TFNI—Transclassified Foreign Nuclear Information U.K.—United Kingdom Subpart B—Management of Restricted Data (RD), Formerly Restricted Data (FRD), and Transclassified Foreign Nuclear Information (TFNI) Classification Programs § 1045.40 Is there an official in each agency with access to RD, FRD, or TFNI who manages the agency's RD, FRD, or TFNI program to ensure the requirements in this part are met? Yes. The head of each agency with access to RD, FRD, or TFNI: (a) Must appoint at least one Federal official to serve as an RDMO who ensures the proper implementation of this part within his or her agency and serves as the primary point of contact for coordination with the Director, Office of Classification, for classification and declassification issues involving RD, FRD, and TFNI. Within DoD, a minimum of at least one RDMO must be appointed in each military department. (b) May appoint or authorize the RDMO to appoint one or more Associate RDMOs if there is more than one organization that has access to RD, FRD, or TFNI. In such cases, the RDMO is the lead official and the primary point of contact with the Director, Office of Classification. (c) Must ensure contact information for each RDMO and ARDMO is sent to the Director, Office of Classification, within 30 days of the appointment. § 1045.45 What are the responsibilities of DOE officials and personnel, and the officials and personnel of other agencies, under this part? (a) The Secretary or Deputy Secretary of Energy must determine in writing whether information privately generated by persons in the United States but not under a Government contract is classified as RD. This responsibility cannot be delegated. (b) The Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security: (1) Determines if RD and TFNI may be published without undue risk to the common defense and security and declassified; (2) Jointly with DoD, determines which information in the RD category relating primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons may be transclassified to the FRD category; (3) Jointly with DoD, determines which information in the FRD category may be removed from that category and returned to the RD category and notifies all appropriate agencies as necessary of the change; (4) Jointly with DoD, declassifies FRD and RD relating primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons that may be published without undue risk to the common defense and security; (5) Jointly with the DNI, determines which information in the RD category concerning nuclear energy programs of foreign governments may be transclassified to the TFNI category to carry out the provisions of the National Security Act of 1947, as amended; (6) Jointly with the DNI, determines which information in the TFNI category may be removed from that category and returned to the RD category and notifies all appropriate agencies as necessary of the change; (7) Considers declassification proposals received from the public or other agencies or their contractors concerning RD, FRD, and TFNI, and coordinates responses with the appropriate agencies; (8) Makes the final appeal determination concerning the denial of any RD, FRD, or TFNI contained in matter requested under statute or Executive Order; and (9) Makes the final appeal determination for any formal classification challenges for RD, DOE FRD, and TFNI. (c) The Director, Office of Classification: (1) Issues the Government-wide requirements for the classification and declassification of RD, FRD, and TFNI in accordance with the AEA and this part; (2) Grants exemptions and equivalencies to provisions of this part; (3) Develops and interprets policies to implement RD, FRD, and TFNI classification programs in coordination with DoD for FRD, as appropriate; (4) Determines whether nuclear-related information is RD; (5) Determines if new information in a previously declassified subject area warrants classification as RD based on the criteria in § 1045.70, except where the information has been widely disseminated in the open literature; (6) Assigns a classification level to RD and TFNI, and, jointly with DoD, to FRD, that reflects the sensitivity of the information to the national security; (7) Serves as the Denying Official for RD, DOE FRD, and TFNI portions of records requested under statute or Executive Order; (8) Establishes a system for processing, tracking, and recording formal classification challenges and declassification proposals made by persons with access to RD, FRD, and TFNI; (9) Considers challenges to RD, FRD, and TFNI, coordinates challenges with other agencies, as appropriate, and makes the initial determination pertaining to the challenge of a classification determination concerning RD, DOE FRD, or TFNI; (10) Delegates the authority to declassify matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI to qualified individuals in other Government agencies; (11) Develops and distributes classification guides to promulgate classification and declassification determinations for RD, FRD, and TFNI, and jointly develops classification guides and TFNI guidelines with DoD, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other agencies in the RD, FRD, or TFNI categories or subject areas for which DOE and the agencies share responsibility; (12) Reviews classification guides that contain RD and jointly reviews classification guides that contain FRD topics with the appropriate DoD authority (as specified in DoD Instruction 5210.02 or successor instructions) that are developed by other agencies; (13) Reviews TFNI guidelines and classification guides containing TFNI topics developed by other agencies; (14) Assists agencies with the implementation of RD, FRD, and TFNI classification programs to comply with this part; (15) In consultation with the agency RDMO, determines when to conduct on-site reviews of agency programs established under this part to evaluate the agency's implementation of the requirements; (16) Coordinates on-site reviews of the Intelligence Community (IC) with the DNI; (17) Reviews agency implementing policies; (18) Develops training materials related to implementing this part and provides these materials to RDMOs and other appropriate persons; (19) Reviews any RD-, FRD-, or TFNI-related training material submitted by other agencies to ensure consistency with current policies; (20) Periodically hosts a meeting of RDMOs to disseminate information or address issues; and (21) Responds to questions and considers comments received from any person, including the public, concerning RD, FRD, and TFNI classification and declassification policies and procedures. (d) DoD jointly with DOE: (1) Determines which information in the RD category relating primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons may be transclassified to the FRD category; (2) Determines which information in the FRD category may be removed from that category and returned to the RD category; (3) Assigns a classification level to FRD that reflects the sensitivity of the information to the national security; (4) Prepares classification guides for FRD; and (5) Declassifies FRD and RD relating primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons that may be published without undue risk to the common defense and security. (6) Considers challenges to FRD, and coordinates challenges with other agencies, as appropriate. (e) The DNI jointly with DOE: (1) Determines which information in the RD category concerning nuclear energy programs of foreign governments may be transclassified to the TFNI category to carry out the provisions of the National Security Act of 1947, as amended; (2) Determines which information in the TFNI category may be removed from that category and returned to the RD category; and (3) Coordinates IC Directives (ICD) and IC Policy Guidance (ICPG) concerning RD, FRD, and TFNI to ensure policies are consistent; (f) NRC: (1) Jointly with DOE, develops classification guides for programs over which both agencies have cognizance; and (2) Ensures the review and proper classification of matter containing RD by RD Derivative Classifiers that is generated by NRC or by its licensed or regulated facilities and activities. (g) Heads of Agencies with access to RD, FRD, or TFNI: (1) Ensure that matter containing RD, FRD, and TFNI is reviewed by a person with appropriate authority and properly classified. (2) Must appoint at least one RDMO to manage the implementation of this part within the agency; (3) Ensure implementing directives for this part are developed, submitted to DOE for review prior to issuance, to ensure consistency with this part, and promulgated; (4) Should periodically review holdings containing RD, FRD, or TFNI that are likely to have a high degree of public interest and a likelihood of declassification. If any matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI is identified for declassification, ensure coordination for the declassification of matter marked as RD, FRD, or TFNI with DOE or DoD, as appropriate; (5) Develop and promulgate procedures for persons with access to RD or FRD to submit classification challenges and declassification proposals for guide topics that are RD or FRD or for matter containing RD or FRD. If the agency possesses TFNI, develops and promulgates procedures for persons with access to TFNI to submit classification challenges and declassification proposals for guide topics that are TFNI or matter containing TFNI; (6) Ensure joint classification guides for programs over which DOE and the agency have cognizance are developed; (7) Ensure that any classification guides the agency develops or revises that contain RD or FRD, topics are coordinated with the Director, Office of Classification prior to issuance, to ensure consistency with DOE and DoD guidance; (8) Ensure that any TFNI guidelines or classification guides containing TFNI topics the agency develops or revises are reviewed by the Director, Office of Classification, prior to issuance for consistency with policies developed by DOE and current transclassification agreements; (9) Ensure that agency classification guides containing RD, FRD, or TFNI topics are reviewed for consistency with current DOE classification guides at least once every 5 years and that appropriate revisions are made, if necessary; (10) Ensure that NSI records of permanent historical value are reviewed as required under the “Special Historical Records Review Plan (Supplement)” established under Public Law 105-261 and 106-65 or subsequent statutes; (11) Ensure that each RDMO and Federal RD Derivative Classifier whose duties involve the classification of a significant amount of matter containing RD or FRD have his or her personnel performance evaluated with respect to such classification activities; and (12) Ensure that contracting officers are notified of any contracts that have access to or generate matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI, and that the requirements of this part are incorporated into those contracts. (13) Ensure DOE classification guides, classification bulletins and matter containing DOE classification guide topics that is not itself classified is safeguarded and its dissemination is limited to persons with a need to know. (h) Agency RDMOs: (1) Ensure that procedures for training and designating ARDMOs and RD Derivative Classifiers within the agency are established; (2) Ensure that persons with access to RD, FRD, and TFNI are trained in accordance with § 1045.120; (3) Ensure that RD Derivative Classifiers are designated and trained in accordance with §§ 1045.115 and 1045.120, respectively; (4) Ensure that persons who derivatively classify matter containing TFNI are trained in accordance with § 1045.120; (5) Ensure that RD Derivative Classifiers and persons who derivatively classify TFNI have access to any classification guides needed; (6) Ensure that a periodic review of a sample of the agency's RD, FRD, and TFNI derivative classification determinations is conducted that evaluates that each determination was made by appropriately trained and (when required) designated employees acting within his or her authority, that the determination is accurate, and that the markings are applied correctly; (7) In consultation with the Director, Office of Classification determine when to conduct on-site reviews of their agency program established under this part to evaluate the agency's implementation of the requirements; and (8) Cooperate with and provide information as necessary to the Director, Office of Classification, to fulfill their responsibilities under this part. (i) RD Derivative Classifiers: (1) Must receive training prescribed by § 1045.120; (2) Must use approved DOE or joint classification guides, in the subject areas in which they have programmatic expertise, or an applicable portion-marked source document as the basis for derivative decisions to classify or upgrade matter containing RD or FRD; and (3) Must use DOE classification guides and bulletins, joint DOE-agency classification guides, or agency classification guides containing RD or FRD topics that have been coordinated with DOE as the basis to downgrade the level of matter containing RD or FRD. Source documents must not be used as a basis to downgrade matter containing RD or FRD; (4) Must not downgrade the category of matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI ( e.g., (5) Must not declassify matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI unless delegated this authority by DOE for RD or TFNI, or by DOE or DoD for FRD; and (6) Can remove the RD, FRD, and TFNI portions from a portion-marked source document in accordance with § 1045.150. (j) Persons who derivatively classify matter containing TFNI: (1) Must receive training prescribed by § 1045.120; (2) Must use approved TFNI guidelines, DOE or joint classification guides in the subject areas in which they have programmatic expertise, or an applicable portion-marked source document as the basis for derivative decisions to classify or upgrade matter containing TFNI; and (3) Must not declassify or downgrade the category of matter containing TFNI unless delegated this authority by DOE. (k) Persons with access to RD, FRD, or TFNI: (1) Must be trained in accordance with § 1045.120; (2) Must submit matter that potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI to a person with the appropriate authority for review in accordance with § 1045.125; (3) Must submit matter that potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI to a person with the appropriate authority for declassification or public release. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41294, June 26, 2023] § 1045.50 [Reserved] § 1045.55 When are RD, FRD, and TFNI considered for declassification? RD, FRD, and TFNI information and matter are considered for declassification during several processes. (a) DOE reviews all classification guides containing RD, FRD, or TFNI topics at least once every 5 years to determine if information identified as RD, FRD, or TFNI still meets the criteria for classification under § 1045.70. If RD, FRD, and TFNI information contained in a classification guide does not meet the standards for classification, the information is declassified. (b) TFNI is no longer TFNI when comparable U.S. RD is declassified. (c) Agencies with holdings containing RD, FRD, or TFNI should periodically review holdings that are likely to have a high degree of public interest and a likelihood of declassification. If any matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI is identified for declassification, agencies must coordinate the declassification of matter marked as RD, FRD, or TFNI with DOE or DoD, as appropriate. (d) RD, FRD, or TFNI information or matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI in particular areas of public interest may be considered for declassification if sufficient interest is demonstrated. Proposals for the systematic review of given collections or subject areas must be addressed to the Director, Office of Classification, EHSS-60/Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. (e) During the FOIA and MDR request process, agencies must refer any responsive matter that is marked as or potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI to DOE or DoD, as provided under Subpart F. During this process, the information may be reviewed to determine it still meets the standards for classification. (f) The public and persons with access to RD, FRD, or TFNI may submit a declassification proposal for RD, FRD, or TFNI under § 1045.105. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41294, June 26, 2023] § 1045.60 Does an unauthorized public release of RD, FRD, or TFNI result in its declassification? The unauthorized disclosure of RD, FRD, or TFNI does not automatically result in its declassification. However, if a disclosure is sufficiently authoritative or credible, the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security will examine the possibility of declassifying the information. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41294, June 26, 2023] § 1045.65 What are the responsibilities of a person with access to RD, FRD, or TFNI, if they see information in the open literature that they think is RD, FRD, or TFNI? (a) A person with access to RD, FRD, or TFNI, must not confirm or expand upon the classification status or technical accuracy of information in the open literature that is RD, FRD, or TFNI or suspected to be RD, FRD, or TFNI. Commenting on such information can cause greater damage to national security by confirming its location, classified nature, or technical accuracy. (b) Because the open literature may contain information that is still classified as RD, FRD, or TFNI, a person who has access to RD, FRD, or TFNI who incorporates information from the open literature that is potentially classified as RD, FRD, or TFNI into matter must ensure the matter is reviewed as required under § 1045.125 to ensure the information incorporated is not classified. Subpart C—Determining if Information is RD, FRD, or TFNI § 1045.70 How is information initially determined to be RD? (a) For new information to be classified as RD it must fall under the definition of RD that states such information concerns: The design, manufacture, or utilization of nuclear weapons; the production of special nuclear material; or the use of special nuclear material in the production of energy, and the unauthorized release of the information must reasonably be expected to cause undue risk to the common defense and security. (b) This initial determination is made by the Director, Office of Classification after: (1) Ensuring the information is not prohibited from being classified under § 1045.75; (2) Considering whether the information falls within the classification or declassification presumptions in § 1045.80; and (3) Evaluating the criteria in this paragraph. (i) Whether the information is so widely known or readily apparent to knowledgeable observers that its classification would cast doubt on the credibility of classification programs; (ii) Whether publication of the information would assist in the development of countermeasures or otherwise jeopardize any U.S. weapon or weapon system; (iii) Whether the information would hinder U.S. nonproliferation efforts by significantly assisting potential adversaries to develop or improve a nuclear weapon capability, produce nuclear weapons materials, or make other military use of nuclear energy; (iv) Whether information would assist terrorists to develop a nuclear weapon, produce nuclear materials, or use special nuclear material in a terrorist attack; (v) Whether publication of the information would have a detrimental effect on U.S. foreign relations; (vi) Whether publication of the information would benefit the public welfare, taking into account the importance of the information to public discussion and education and potential contribution to economic growth; and (vii) Whether publication of the information would benefit the operation of any Government program by reducing operating costs or improving public acceptance. (c) In consideration of the analysis of the criteria of this section, if there is significant doubt about the need to classify the information, then the Director cannot make an initial determination to classify the information. § 1045.75 Are there prohibitions against information being classified, remaining classified, or prevented from being declassified as RD, FRD, or TFNI? (a) Yes. Information must not be classified or remain classified as RD, FRD, or TFNI to accomplish the purposes described in paragraphs (b) through (g) of this section. Persons must also not prevent information from being declassified as RD, FRD, or TFNI for the purposes described in paragraphs (b) through (g) of this section. (b) Conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error; (c) Prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency; (d) Restrain competition; (e) Prevent or delay the release of information that does not require protection for the national security or nonproliferation reasons; (f) Unduly restrict dissemination by assigning an improper classification level; or (g) Prevent or delay the release of information bearing solely on the physical environment or public or worker health and safety. § 1045.80 What are the classification and declassification presumptions? (a) The Director, Office of Classification and the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security consider the presumptions in paragraph (b)(1) of this section before applying the criteria in § 1045.70. These presumptions concern information in certain but not all nuclear-related areas that may generally be presumed to be RD or are generally unclassified. The term “generally” here means that as a rule, but not necessarily in every case, the information in the identified area is presumed classified or not classified as indicated. Inclusion of specific existing information in one of the presumption categories does not mean that new information in a category is or is not classified, but only that arguments to differ from the presumed classification status of the information should use the appropriate presumption as a starting point. (b) Information in the following areas is presumed to be RD: (1) Detailed designs, specifications, and functional descriptions of nuclear explosives, whether in the active stockpile or retired; (2) Material properties under conditions achieved in nuclear explosions that are principally useful only for design and analysis of nuclear weapons; (3) Vulnerabilities of U.S. nuclear weapons to sabotage, countermeasures, or unauthorized use; (4) Nuclear weapons logistics and operational performance information ( e.g., (5) Details of the critical steps or components in nuclear material production processes; and (6) Features of military nuclear reactors, especially naval nuclear propulsion reactors, that are not common to or required for civilian power reactors. (c) Information in the following areas is presumed to be unclassified: (1) Basic science: Mathematics, chemistry, theoretical and experimental physics, engineering, materials science, biology, and medicine; (2) Magnetic confinement fusion technology; (3) Civilian power reactors, including nuclear fuel cycle information but excluding technologies for uranium enrichment; (4) Source materials (defined as uranium and thorium and ores containing them); (5) Fact of use of safety features ( e.g., (6) Generic nuclear weapons effects; (7) Physical and chemical properties of uranium and plutonium, most of their alloys and compounds, under standard temperature and pressure conditions; (8) Nuclear fuel reprocessing technology and reactor products not revealing classified production rates or inventories; (9) The fact, time, location, and yield range ( e.g., (10) General descriptions of nuclear material production processes and theory of operation; (11) DOE special nuclear material aggregate inventories and production rates not revealing the size of or details concerning the nuclear weapons stockpile; (12) Types of waste products resulting from all DOE weapon and material production operations; (13) Any information solely relating to the public and worker health and safety or to environmental quality; and (14) The simple association or simple presence of any material ( i.e., [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 82238, Nov. 24, 2023] § 1045.85 How is information determined to be FRD or TFNI and can FRD or TFNI be returned to the RD category? (a) To be eligible to become FRD or TFNI, information must first be classified as RD in accordance with the AEA and this part. FRD and TFNI are removed from and may be returned to the RD category under section 142 of the AEA. The process by which information is removed from the RD category and placed into the FRD or TFNI category or returned to the RD category is called transclassification and involves the following decisions: (1) For information to be transclassified from RD to the FRD category, the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security and the appropriate official within DoD (as specified in DoD Instruction 5210.02 or subsequent instructions) must jointly determine that the information relates primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons and can be adequately protected in a manner similar to NSI. (2) For information to be transclassified from RD to the TFNI category, the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security and the DNI must jointly determine that information concerning a foreign nuclear energy program that falls under the RD definition must be removed from the RD category in order to carry out the provisions of the National Security Act of 1947, as amended, and can be adequately protected in a manner similar to NSI. (b) The process to return FRD and TFNI to the RD category is as follows: (1) FRD may be returned to the RD category if the DOE and DoD jointly determine that the programmatic requirements that caused the information to be removed from the RD category no longer apply, the information would be more appropriately protected as RD and returning the information to the RD category is in the interest of national security. DOE jointly with DoD must notify all appropriate agencies of the change. (2) TFNI may be returned to the RD category if the DOE and the DNI jointly determine that the programmatic requirements that caused the information to be removed from the RD category no longer apply, the information would be more appropriately protected as RD and returning the information to the RD category is in the interest of national security. DOE jointly with the DNI must notify all appropriate agencies of the change. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41294, June 26, 2023] § 1045.90 Can information generated by private entities that is not owned by, produced by, or controlled by the U.S. Government be classified as RD? Yes. Under the AEA, DOE may classify information that is privately generated ( e.g., Federal Register. § 1045.95 What are the criteria used to assign levels to RD, FRD, or TFNI? (a) When the Director, Office of Classification, makes the initial determination that information is RD, he or she determines the appropriate level of the information based on the damage that would occur if there was an unauthorized disclosure of the information. The Director, Office of Classification, also determines the level for TFNI, and, jointly with the appropriate DoD official (as specified in DoD Instruction 5210.02 or successor instructions) determines the level for FRD information. (b) The three classification levels of RD, FRD, and TFNI are: (1) Top Secret. (2) Secret. (3) Confidential. § 1045.100 How are RD, FRD, and TFNI declassified? (a) This section addresses the declassification of information, not derivatively classified matter. See Subpart D for requirements for the declassification of matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI. (b) RD and TFNI are declassified by the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security by evaluating the criteria in § 1045.70. FRD requires the evaluation of the same criteria and a joint decision by the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security and the appropriate DoD official (as specified in DoD Instruction 5210.02 or subsequent instructions). [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41294, June 26, 2023] § 1045.105 What is the method to request the declassification of RD, FRD or TFNI? (a) If a person believes RD, FRD, or TFNI should not be classified, he or she may submit a declassification proposal. Proposals must be submitted in writing and must include a description of the information concerned and may include a reason for the request. If submitted by a person with access to RD, FRD, or TFNI, the request must be submitted through secure means. The proposal is processed as follows: (b) The Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security considers declassification proposals from the public and Government agencies and their contractors for the declassification of RD, FRD, and TFNI on an ongoing basis. For FRD, the Director, Office of Classification, will coordinate the declassification proposal with the appropriate DoD official (as specified in DoD Instruction 5210.02 or subsequent instructions). (c) Declassification proposals may be sent to the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security, EHSS-1/Forrestal Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. For FRD, the proposal may be sent to the Director, Office of Classification, or the appropriate DoD official (as specified in DoD Instruction 5210.02 or subsequent instructions). DOE and DoD must coordinate with one another concerning declassification proposals for FRD. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41295, June 26, 2023] § 1045.110 How are challenges to the classification and declassification of RD, FRD, or TFNI submitted and processed? (a) Any person with access to RD, FRD, or TFNI who believes that RD, FRD, or TFNI is improperly classified is encouraged and expected to challenge the classification. The challenge may be to information RD, FRD, or TFNI ( e.g., (b) Challenges are submitted in accordance with agency procedures. (c) Each agency must establish procedures for a person to challenge the classification status of RD, FRD, or TFNI if they believe that the classification status is improper. These procedures must: (1) Advise the person of their right to submit a challenge directly to the Director, Office of Classification, EHSS-60/Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, at any time. (2) Ensure that under no circumstances is an employee subject to retribution for challenging the classification status of RD, FRD, or TFNI; (3) Require the agency that initially receives the challenge to provide an initial response within 60 days to the person submitting the challenge. (4) Require the agency to advise the person of their appeal rights. If the employee is not satisfied with the agency response or the agency has not responded to the challenge within 180 days, the challenge involving RD, FRD, or TFNI may be appealed to the Director, Office of Classification. (i) In the case of FRD and RD related primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons, the Director, Office of Classification, coordinates with the appropriate DoD official (as specified in DoD Instruction 5210.02 or subsequent instructions). (ii) In the case of TFNI, the Director, Office of Classification, coordinates with DNI. (5) If the response to the initial appeal and its justification for classification does not satisfy the person making the challenge, a further appeal may be made to the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security, EHSS-1/Forrestal Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. (d) Agency responses to RD or TFNI challenges are limited to interpreting the application of guidance to derivatively classify matter. Except for DoD, agency responses to FRD are limited to interpreting the application of guidance to derivatively classify matter. An agency may coordinate challenges regarding interpreting guidance for RD or TFNI with DOE, and may coordinate challenges regarding interpreting guidance for FRD with DOE or DoD. (e) Agencies must forward challenges that require decisions other than interpreting the application of guidance ( e.g., [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41295, June 26, 2023] Subpart D—Classifying and Declassifying Matter Containing RD, FRD, or TFNI § 1045.115 Who is authorized to derivatively classify matter that contains RD, FRD, or TFNI? (a) Specific authority and/or training is required to derivatively classify matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI. These derivative classification decisions must be based on a classification guide, a classification bulletin, or a portion-marked source document and must only be made in the RD Derivative Classifier's subject areas of expertise. In cases where guidance does not exist, for RD the Director, Office of Classification must make an initial determination that information is RD or that the matter contains RD, and for FRD DOE and DoD must jointly determine that the information is FRD or the matter contains FRD. No other agency or agency personnel has the authority to make an initial determination regarding RD or FRD. See § 1045.135 for the process for requesting a determination in cases where guidance does not exist. (b) Each person who derivatively classifies matter containing RD or FRD must be an RD Derivative Classifier. (c) Except for DoD military and DoD Federal civilian employees, each RD Derivative Classifier must be designated by name or position in writing in accordance with agency procedures. (d) An agency contractor employee may be an RD Derivative Classifier. All contractor employees, including DoD contractors, must be designated by name or position as such in writing in accordance with agency procedures. (e) Once a person is an RD Derivative Classifier for an agency, he or she may classify matter containing RD or FRD in those subject areas in which they have programmatic expertise for any agency, provided the other agency or agencies accept the existing authority. (f) No specific designation as an RD Derivative Classifier is required to classify matter containing TFNI. Any person who has received training required by § 1045.120 may classify matter containing TFNI. § 1045.120 What training is required for persons who have access to or who derivatively classify matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI? (a) Prior to being authorized access to RD and FRD, a person must receive training that explains: (1) What information is potentially RD and FRD; (2) Matter that potentially contains RD or FRD must be reviewed by an RD Derivative Classifier to determine whether it contains RD or FRD; (3) DOE must review matter that potentially contains RD or TFNI for public release and DOE or DoD must review matter that potentially contains FRD for public release; (4) RD Derivative Classification authority is required to classify or upgrade matter containing RD or FRD, or to downgrade the level of matter containing RD or FRD; (5) Only a person trained in accordance with this section, may classify matter containing TFNI; (6) Matter containing RD, FRD, and TFNI is not automatically declassified and only DOE authorized persons may downgrade the category or declassify matter marked as containing RD; only DOE or DoD authorized persons may downgrade the category or declassify matter marked as containing FRD; (7) How to submit a challenge if they believe RD, FRD, or TFNI information ( e.g., (8) Access requirements for matter marked as containing RD or FRD. (b) Each person with access to RD and FRD must also receive periodic refresher briefings covering these same topics. (c) In addition to the training in paragraph (a) of this section, prior to derivatively classifying matter containing RD, or FRD and every 2 years thereafter, each RD Derivative Classifier must also receive training that explains: (1) The use of classification guides, classification bulletins, and portion-marked source documents to classify matter containing RD and FRD; (2) What to do if applicable classification guidance is not available; (3) Limitations on an RD Derivative Classifier's authority to remove RD or FRD portions from matter; and (4) Marking requirements for matter containing RD and FRD. (d) Prior to having access to TFNI, and periodically thereafter, each person must receive the following training (which may be combined with the training required for access to RD or FRD): (1) What information is potentially TFNI; (2) Only a person with appropriate training may determine if matter contains TFNI; (3) Marking requirements for matter containing TFNI; (4) Matter containing TFNI is not automatically declassified and only DOE authorized persons may downgrade the category or declassify matter marked as containing TFNI; and (5) How to submit a challenge if they believe TFNI information ( e.g., (e) In addition to the training in § 1045.120(d), prior to derivatively classifying matter containing TFNI and every 2 years thereafter, each person who derivatively classifies matter containing TFNI must also receive training that explains: (1) The markings applied to matter containing TFNI; (2) Limitations on their authority to remove TFNI portions from matter; (3) Only DOE authorized persons may determine that classified matter no longer contains TFNI; (4) Only DOE authorized persons may declassify matter marked as containing TFNI; and (5) DOE must review matter that potentially contains TFNI for public release. § 1045.125 What is the process for reviewing and derivatively classifying matter that potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI? (a) Protecting and marking matter that potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI prior to review. (b) Matter that potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI that is intended for public release. (c) Matter that potentially contains RD or FRD information that is not intended for public release. (d) Matter that potentially contains TFNI that is not intended for public release. (e) Matter that incorporates information from the open literature that potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI. (f) Matter being reviewed under E.O. 13526 or successor orders. (1) An RD Classifier may review the matter to determine if it contains RD or FRD. If the matter is determined to contain RD or FRD, the matter must be appropriately marked and is exempt from automatic declassification. (2) A person trained to classify TFNI may review the matter to determine if it contains TFNI. If the matter is determined to contain TFNI, the matter must be appropriately marked and is exempt from automatic declassification. (3) If an authorized person is unable to make a determination for RD, FRD, or TFNI, the matter must be referred to DOE. Matter containing FRD may also be referred to DoD. The matter may not be automatically declassified until DOE or DoD makes a determination as to its classification status. § 1045.130 How does an authorized person derivatively classify matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI? (a) Derivative classification of RD or FRD. (1) A DOE classification guide or bulletin, a joint DOE-agency classification guide, an agency guide with RD/FRD topics that is within his or her programmatic area of expertise; or (2) An applicable portion-marked source document. (b) Derivative classification of TFNI. (1) Approved TFNI guidelines; (2) A DOE classification guide or bulletin, a joint DOE-agency classification guide, an agency guide with RD, FRD, or TFNI topics within his or her programmatic area of expertise; or (3) An applicable portion-marked source document. (c) Association and compilation. RD, FRD, or TFNI classification based on association. (2) RD, FRD, or TFNI classification based on compilation. (d) Use of a classified addendum. § 1045.135 Can a person make an RD, FRD, or TFNI classification determination if applicable classification guidance is not available? (a) No. If an RD Derivative Classifier or a person trained to classify matter containing TFNI is unable to locate a classification guide or classification bulletin that applies to the nuclear-related information within his or her programmatic expertise and does not have an applicable portion-marked source document to use for derivative classification, then he or she must contact the RDMO or an ARDMO for assistance. The RDMO/ARDMO may be aware of other classification guidance that could apply to the information. (b) If no guidance is identified, the RDMO must forward the matter to the Director, Office of Classification, for a determination. Within 30 days, the Director, Office of Classification must: (1) Determine whether the information is already classified as RD, FRD, or TFNI under current classification guidance and, if so, provide such guidance to the RDMO who forwarded the matter. (2) If the information is not already classified as RD, FRD, or TFNI, the procedures for initially classifying information as RD, FRD, or TFNI under § 1045.70 must be followed. The Director, Office of Classification, must notify the RDMO of the results of the initial classification determination within 90 days of receiving the matter. Initial determinations must be incorporated into classified guides, as appropriate. (c) Pending a determination, the matter under review must be protected at a minimum as Secret RD, Secret FRD, or Secret TFNI, as appropriate. § 1045.140 How is matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI marked? (a) Matter determined to contain RD, FRD, or TFNI. (b) Marking matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI in the IC. (c) Working papers containing RD, FRD, or TFNI. (1) Released outside the originating activity; (2) Retained more than 180 days from the date of origin or the date of the last change; or (3) Filed permanently. (d) RD and FRD markings. (1) Front page. (i) Front page/banner markings. (ii) Admonishments. RESTRICTED DATA This document contains RESTRICTED DATA as defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. Unauthorized disclosure subject to administrative and criminal sanctions. (B) If the document contains FRD and no RD, use the following admonishment: FORMERLY RESTRICTED DATA Unauthorized disclosure subject to administrative and criminal sanctions. Handle as RESTRICTED DATA in foreign dissemination. Section 144b, Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. (iii) Subject/title marking. e.g., (iv) Classification authority block. (A) Identity of the RD Derivative Classifier. Classified By: Jane Doe, Nuclear Analyst, DOE, CTI-61 (B) Identity of classification guidance. 1 Derived From: CG-ABC-1, 10/16/2014, DOE OC ( 2 (C) Declassification instructions. (2) Interior page/banner marking. e.g., (3) Back cover or back page marking. (4) Portion marking. e.g., (e) TFNI markings. (1) Front page. e.g., (2) Subject/title marking. (3) Portion marking. e.g., (4) Classification authority block. (5) Interior pages. e.g., (6) Back cover or back page marking. (f) Commingled matter—NSI. (1) Declassification instructions. (2) Source list. (g) Commingled matter—CUI. (2) Applicable CUI Decontrol instructions. (ii) If the matter is portion marked and decontrol instructions are applied, the decontrol instructions for the CUI portions must not be on the front page. Where they appear, they must be clearly labeled as decontrol instructions for CUI. (iii) If the matter contains TFNI, and decontrol instructions are applied, the decontrol instructions for the CUI portions must not be on the front page. Where they appear they must be clearly labeled as decontrol instructions for CUI. (h) Marking special format matter. e.g., § 1045.145 Who must review output from a classified IT system that is marked as RD, FRD, or TFNI? If the output is a final product that has been reviewed by a person with appropriate authority, and is properly marked, or is a working paper that is properly marked, no additional review is required. Otherwise, the output must be reviewed in accordance with § 1045.30. § 1045.150 Can anyone remove the RD, FRD, or TFNI portions and markings to produce an NSI or unclassified version of the matter? (a) Removal of RD, FRD, or TFNI portions from matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI. (b) If the resulting or new matter is intended for public release. (c) If the resulting matter is not intended for public release. (2) A person trained in accordance with § 1045.120(e) may remove the portions containing TFNI and the TFNI markings. (3) In all cases under § 1045.150(b) this may be done only if the matter is originated by the authorized person's agency and the matter is portion marked, and the resulting matter is reviewed to ensure it does not contain RD, FRD, or TFNI by a person authorized to review the matter. § 1045.155 How is matter marked as containing RD, FRD, or TFNI declassified? (a) Declassification of matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI. (b) Authority to declassify matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI. (c) Declassification of matter containing RD or TFNI. (d) Declassification of matter containing FRD. (e) Delegation of declassification authority. § 1045.160 When the RD, FRD, or TFNI is removed from matter, what action must be taken if the matter still contains NSI? When an appropriate authority removes the RD, FRD, or TFNI from matter and it still contains NSI, the matter must be marked following E.O. 13526 and 32 CFR part 2001 or successor orders and regulations, including portion marking if the matter was not previously portion marked, and the classification authority block of the matter must be changed to contain declassification instructions for the NSI. This does not apply to matter produced as part of the coordination process for declassification or public release reviews. § 1045.165 Once matter marked as RD, FRD, or TFNI is declassified, how is it marked? (a) Matter that is determined to no longer contain RD, FRD, or TFNI and also does not or no longer contains NSI must be clearly marked to convey to the holder of that matter that the matter is declassified; (b) The front page must identify the person authorizing the declassification by name and position or title, if not otherwise evident, agency, and office of origin; or with a unique identifier; the classification guide that served as the basis for the declassification by short title, date, agency and, when available, the office of origin; and the declassification date. For example: (1) Declassified by: Jane Doe, Nuclear Analyst, DOE, CTI-61 (2) Derived from: CG-ABC-1, 10/16/2014, DOE OC (3) Declassified on: 20201009 (c) The person authorizing the declassification must line through but not obliterate the classification markings and apply or authorize the application of the appropriate markings. Subpart E—Government-Wide Procedures for Handling Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Requests for Matter Marked as or Potentially Containing RD, FRD, or TFNI § 1045.170 What is the purpose of this subpart? This subpart contains requirements that apply when Federal agencies other than DOE receive FOIA or MDR requests for matter that is marked as or potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI. RD, FRD, and TFNI are classified under the Atomic Energy Act and are not subject to the provisions governing MDR requests under E.O. 13526 or successor orders. To ensure RD, FRD, and TFNI are considered and appropriately reviewed when requested under a FOIA or MDR request, this section describes the process Federal agencies must follow for FOIA and MDR requests for matter that is marked as or potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI. § 1045.175 How must agencies process FOIA and MDR requests for matter that is marked as or potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI? (a) When an agency receives a FOIA or MDR request for which any responsive matter is marked as or potentially contains RD, FRD, or TFNI, the agency must forward the matter to the appropriate agency as follows: (1) Forward any matter marked as or potentially containing RD or TFNI to the Director, Office of Classification or a DOE official granted authority by delegation, regulation, or DOE directive. (2) Forward any matter originated by DOE and marked as or potentially containing FRD to either the Director, Office of Classification or a DOE official granted authority by delegation, regulation, or DOE directive. Forward any matter originated by DoD and marked as or potentially containing FRD to the appropriate DoD program (as specified in DoD Manual 5400.07, DoD Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program, subsequent manuals, or other applicable manuals). Matter not originated by DOE or DoD may be submitted to either agency as provided in this paragraph. (b) DOE and DoD must coordinate the review of matter marked as or potentially containing RD and FRD, when appropriate. DOE and the DNI must coordinate the review of matter marked as or potentially containing TFNI, when appropriate. (c) DOE, DoD, or the DNI may refuse to confirm or deny the existence or nonexistence of the requested matter whenever the fact of its existence or nonexistence is itself classified as RD, FRD, or TFNI. (d) If the information contained in the requested matter has been reviewed for declassification within the past 2 years, another review need not be conducted, but instead the agency may inform the requester of this fact and of the results of the prior review decision. (e) When paragraph (c) or (d) of this section do not apply, and the information requested under an MDR is not exempt under § 1045.195, the appropriate DOE or DoD authority must conduct a line-by-line review of matter forwarded under paragraph (a) of this section; identify the information that is classified under current classification guidance as RD, FRD, or TFNI; and respond to the agency that forwarded the matter. The response to the agency who forwarded the request must identify the RD, FRD, or TFNI that is exempt from public release; provide the FOIA exemption or appropriate MDR notation for the RD, FRD, or TFNI withheld; identify the Denying Official for the RD, FRD, or TFNI withheld; and explain the applicable appeal procedures for a FOIA request identified in 10 CFR 1004.8 or for an MDR request identified in § 1045.180. (1) The Denying Officials are as follows: (i) The Denying Official for matter containing RD or TFNI is the Director, Office of Classification. (ii) The Denying Official for matter containing FRD is the Director, Office of Classification, or the appropriate DoD Component's Initial Denying Authority (as specified in applicable DoD manuals). (iii) The Denying Official for Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information is the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Deputy Director, Deputy Administrator for Naval Reactors. (f) Upon receipt of the response from DOE or DOD, the agency processing the initial request must inform the requester of the results of the review; provide the name of the Denying Official identified for any RD, FRD, or TFNI withheld; and advise the requester of his or her appeal rights concerning the RD, FRD, or TFNI. § 1045.180 What is the procedure if an agency receives an appeal to a FOIA or MDR concerning the denial of RD, FRD, or TFNI? (a) If an agency receives a FOIA appeal for RD, FRD, or TFNI denied by DOE within 90 days of receipt of the denial and as required under 10 CFR 1004.8, the appeal must be submitted to the DOE Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals. If an agency receives a FOIA appeal for FRD denied by DoD, it must be submitted to DoD in accordance with applicable DoD FOIA regulations or instructions. (b) Appeals of an MDR response when DOE denied RD, FRD, or TFNI may be submitted to the agency that replied to the initial MDR request or directly to DOE. (1) When an MDR appeal concerning DOE-withheld RD, FRD, or TFNI is sent to the agency that replied to the initial MDR request, the appeal must be received by the agency who replied to the initial request within 60 days of receipt of the denial and contain the information required under § 1045.210(b). The agency must forward the appeal to the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security at the following address Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security, EHSS-1/Forrestal Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. (2) When sent directly to DOE, an MDR appeal must be received by the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security within 60 days of the denial and contain the information required under § 1045.210(b). (3) MDR appeals received by DOE are processed consistent with § 1045.220. (c) If an agency receives an MDR appeal for FRD withheld by DoD, the agency must submit the appeal to the appropriate DoD Component as identified in applicable DoD manuals. (d) MDR Final Appeal: The classification and declassification of RD, FRD, and TFNI is governed by the AEA and this part and is not subject to E.O. 13526 or successor orders. Therefore, MDR appeal decisions by the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security, for RD, FRD, and TFNI and MDR appeal decisions by the appropriate DoD Component appellate authority for FRD are final agency decisions and are not subject to review by ISCAP. However, if matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI also contains NSI, the NSI portions may be appealed to the ISCAP. Prior to submission to ISCAP, the RD, FRD, or TFNI portions must be deleted. (e) The FOIA and MDR appeal authorities for RD, FRD, or TFNI are as follows: (1) The appeal authority for RD and TFNI is the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security. (2) The appeal authority for FRD is the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security or the appropriate DoD Component appellate authority. (3) The appeal authority for Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information is the NNSA Deputy Administrator for Naval Reactors. (f) Declassification proposals resulting from appeal reviews: The appeal review of RD, FRD, and TFNI withheld from a requester is based on current classification guidance. However, as part of the appeal review, the withheld information must be reviewed to determine if it may be a candidate for possible declassification. If declassification of the information appears to be appropriate, then a declassification proposal must be initiated, and the requester must be advised that additional information will be available if the declassification proposal is approved. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41295, June 26, 2023; 88 FR 82238, Nov. 24, 2023] Subpart F—DOE-Specific Procedures for MDR Requests § 1045.185 What is the purpose of this subpart? This subpart describes the process for MDR requests submitted for DOE matter classified under E.O. 13526 or successor orders, and the Atomic Energy Act. § 1045.190 How does the public submit an MDR for DOE classified matter? (a) DOE matter marked as containing NSI, RD, FRD, or TFNI is subject to review for declassification by DOE if the request for a declassification review describes the matter containing the information with sufficient specificity to enable DOE to locate it with a reasonable amount of effort. (b) The request must be sent to the Director, Office of Classification, EHSS-60/Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41295, June 26, 2023] § 1045.195 Is any matter exempt from MDR requests? (a) MDR requests are not accepted for: (1) Matter containing RD technical engineering, blueprints, and design regarding nuclear weapons, if they contain no NSI. (2) Matter required to be submitted for prepublication review or other administrative process pursuant to an approved nondisclosure agreement; (3) Matter that is the subject of pending litigation; or (4) Any matter contained within an operational file exempted from search and review, publication, and disclosure under the FOIA in accordance with law. (b) Current Presidential records as described in section 3.5(b) of E.O. 13526 or successor orders that are in the custody of DOE are exempt from release in response to an MDR request. § 1045.200 Is there a cost for an MDR review? Yes. The fees, including waivers, reductions, and categorizations, are the same for an MDR as for providing records under the FOIA as defined in 10 CFR 1004.9. § 1045.205 How does DOE conduct an MDR review? (a) If DOE has reviewed the information contained in the requested matter for declassification within the past 2 years, DOE need not conduct another review. DOE may instead inform the requester of this fact and of the prior review decision, as well as advise the requester of his or her appeal rights as provided in § 1045.210. (b) DOE performs an MDR as follows: (1) Conducts a line-by-line review of the matter; (2) Coordinates the review with appropriate programs and agencies, as necessary; (3) Identifies and withholds any information that meets the standards for classification; (4) Declassifies any NSI that no longer meets the standards for classification under E.O. 13526 or successor orders and any RD, FRD, or TFNI that no longer meets the standards for classification under this part; (5) If the matter also contains unclassified information that is potentially exempt from release under the FOIA, the matter is further processed to ensure unclassified information that is exempt from public release is identified and that the appropriate officials responsible for denying any unclassified portion of the matter are provided and listed with the notice of denial. (6) Upon completion of the review, releases the matter to the requester unless withholding is authorized by law. If NSI, RD, FRD, or TFNI, is withheld, the response must advise the requester of his or her appeal rights under § 1045.210. § 1045.210 How does a person submit an appeal if DOE withholds classified information in an MDR response? (a) When the Director, Office of Classification, denies NSI, RD, FRD, or TFNI, or the NNSA Deputy Director, Deputy Administrator for Naval Reactors, denies Naval Nuclear Propulsion information, in matter requested under an MDR, the requester may appeal the determination to the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security. The appeal must be received within 60 days of the receipt of the denial. (b) The appeal must be in writing and submitted to the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security, EHSS-1/Forrestal Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. The appeal: (1) Must contain a concise statement of grounds upon which it is brought, and a description of the relief sought. (2) Must include a copy of the letter containing the determination being appealed. (3) Should include a discussion of all relevant authorities that include but are not limited to DOE (and predecessor agencies) rulings, regulations, interpretations, and decisions on appeals, as well as any judicial determinations being relied upon to support the appeal. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 41295, June 26, 2023; 88 FR 82238, Nov. 24, 2023] § 1045.215 How does DOE process an MDR appeal for DOE matter containing NSI? An appeal for NSI requested under the provisions of E.O. 13526 or successor orders is processed as follows: (a) The Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security must act upon the appeal within 60 working days of its receipt. If no determination on the appeal has been issued at the end of this 60-day period, the requester may consider his or her administrative remedies to be exhausted and may seek a review by the ISCAP. When no determination can be issued within the applicable time limit, the appeal must nevertheless continue to be processed. On expiration of the time limit, DOE must inform the requester of the reason for the delay, of the date on which a determination may be expected to be issued, and of the requester's right to seek further review by the ISCAP. Nothing in this subpart precludes the appeal authority and the requester from agreeing to an extension of time for the decision on an appeal. The Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security must confirm any such agreement in writing and clearly specify the total time agreed upon for the appeal decision. (b) The Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security's action on an appeal must be in writing and set forth the reason for the decision. DOE may refuse to confirm or deny the existence or nonexistence of requested information whenever the fact of its existence or nonexistence is itself classified under E.O. 13526 or successor orders. (c) The requester has the right to appeal a final DOE decision, or a failure to provide a determination on an appeal within the allotted time, to the ISCAP for those appeals dealing with NSI. In cases where NSI documents also contain RD, FRD, or TFNI, the portions of the document containing RD, FRD, or TFNI must be deleted prior to forwarding the NSI and unclassified portions to the ISCAP for review. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 82238, Nov. 24, 2023] § 1045.220 How does DOE process an MDR appeal for matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI? (a) Final appeals for DOE matter containing RD, FRD, or TFNI are submitted to the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security. The Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security will coordinate appeals concerning Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information with the NNSA Deputy Administrator for Naval Reactors. (b) The classification and declassification of RD, FRD, and TFNI is governed by the AEA and this part and is not subject to E.O. 13526 or successor orders. Therefore, appeal decisions concerning RD, FRD, or TFNI by the Director, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security, or the NNSA Deputy Administrator for Naval Reactors are not subject to review by ISCAP. [83 FR 66007, Dec. 21, 2018, as amended at 88 FR 82238, Nov. 24, 2023] § 1045.225 Are DOE responses to MDR requests available to the public? Yes. Once the classified and unclassified information exempt from public release is redacted, DOE responses to MDR requests, as well as FOIA requests for matter containing classified information, are posted on DOE's OpenNet System at: https://www.osti.gov/opennet/.