[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 10, Volume 3]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 10CFR205.173]

[Page 21]
 
                            TITLE 10--ENERGY
 
                    CHAPTER II--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 
PART 205_ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND SANCTIONS--Table of Contents
 
          Subpart M_Conferences, Hearings, and Public Hearings
 
Sec. 205.173  Public hearings.

    (a) A public hearing shall be convened incident to a rulemaking:
    (1) When the proposed rule or regulation is likely to have a 
substantial impact on the Nation's economy or large numbers of 
individuals or businesses; or
    (2) When the DOE determines that a public hearing would materially 
advance the consideration of the issue. A public hearing may be 
requested by any interested person in connection with a rulemaking 
proceeding, but shall only be convened on the initiative of the DOE 
unless otherwise required by statute.
    (b) A public hearing may be convened incident to any proceeding when 
the DOE in its discretion determines that such public hearing would 
materially advance the consideration of the issue.
    (c) A public hearing may only be convened after publication of a 
notice in the Federal Register, which shall include a statement of the 
time, place, and nature of the public hearing.
    (d) Interested persons may file a request to participate in the 
public hearing in accordance with the instructions in the notice 
published in the Federal Register. The request shall be in writing and 
signed by the person making the request. It shall include a description 
of the person's interest in the issue or issues involved and of the 
anticipated content of the presentation. It shall also contain a 
statement explaining why the person would be an appropriate spokesperson 
for the particular view expressed.
    (e) The DOE shall appoint a presiding officer to conduct the public 
hearing. An agenda shall be prepared that shall provide, to the extent 
practicable, for the presentation of all relevant views by competent 
spokespersons.
    (f) A verbatim transcript shall be made of the hearing. The 
transcript, together with any written comments submitted in the course 
of the proceeding, shall be made available for public inspection and 
copying in the public docket room, as provided in Sec. 205.15.
    (g) The information presented at the public hearing, together with 
the written comments submitted and other relevant information developed 
during the course of the proceeding, shall provide the basis for the DOE 
decision.

Subpart N [Reserved]