Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 92a.8 - Confidentiality of information(a) The provisions of 40 CFR 122.7(b) (relating to confidentiality of information) are incorporated by reference.(b) The Department may protect any information, other than effluent data, contained in NPDES forms, or other records, reports or plans pertaining to the NPDES permit program as confidential upon a showing by any person that the information is not a public record for the purposes of section 607 of the State Act (35 P. S. § 691.607). Documents that may be protected as confidential and are not public records are those that if made public would divulge an analysis of chemical and physical properties of coal (excepting information regarding the mineral or elemental content that is potentially toxic in the environment), and those that are confidential commercial information or methods or processes entitled to protection as trade secrets under State or Federal law. If, however, the information being considered for confidential treatment is contained in an NPDES form, the Department will forward the information to the Administrator for concurrence in any determination of confidentiality. If the Administrator does not concur that some or all of the information being considered for confidential treatment merits the protection and notifies the Department in writing, the Department will make available to the public that information determined by the Administrator in consultation with the EPA Office of General Counsel not entitled to protection in accordance with 40 CFR Part 2 (relating to public information).(c) Information approved for confidential status, whether or not contained in an NPDES form, will be disclosed, upon request, to the Administrator, or an authorized representative, who shall maintain the disclosed information as confidential. This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 92a.3 (relating to incorporation of Federal regulations by reference); and 25 Pa. Code § 92a.81 (relating to public access to information).