N.H. Admin. Code § Puc 203.08

Current through Register No. 37, September 12, 2024
Section Puc 203.08 - Motions for Confidential Treatment
(a) The commission shall upon motion issue a protective order providing for the confidential treatment of one or more documents upon a finding that the document or documents are entitled to such treatment pursuant to RSA 91-A:5, or other applicable law based upon the information submitted pursuant to (b) below.
(b) A motion for confidential treatment submitted pursuant to this rule shall contain:
(1) The documents, specific portions of documents, or a detailed description of the types of information for which confidentiality is sought;
(2) Specific reference to the statutory or common law support for confidentiality; and
(3) A detailed statement of the harm that would result from disclosure and any other facts relevant to the request for confidential treatment.
(c) Documents submitted to the commission or staff accompanied by a motion for confidential treatment shall not be disclosed to the public until the commission rules on the motion.
(d) In lieu of immediately filing a motion for confidential treatment, a party providing a document to the commission staff in discovery that the party wishes to remain confidential shall accompany the submission with a written statement that:
(1) The party submitting such documents has a good faith basis for seeking confidential treatment of the documents pursuant to this rule; and
(2) Such party intends to submit a motion for confidential treatment regarding such documents at or before the commencement of the hearing in such proceedings.
(e) Documents submitted to the commission or staff accompanied by a written statement pursuant to (d) shall be treated as confidential, provided that the party submitting the documents thereafter files a motion for confidential treatment at or prior to the commencement of the hearing in the proceeding.
(f) When a party provides the commission or staff with a document accompanied by a motion for confidential treatment or a statement of intent to file such a motion, the party shall furnish 7 copies of the document.
(g) The commission shall mark each copy as confidential and maintain it within the commission offices in a secure location.
(h) If the commission grants a motion for confidential treatment, the confidential information shall not be subject to public disclosure and the document shall be treated according to such conditions as the commission determines are necessary to preserve such confidentiality.
(i) If the commission denies a motion for confidential treatment or modifies a previously issued protective order so that information previously held confidential is no longer entitled to such treatment, the information shall not be disclosed until all rights to request rehearing and to appeal have been exhausted or waived.
(j) When necessary to protect the confidentiality of material entitled to such treatment under this section, the commission shall include in its protective order a directive that all parties receiving the material shall also treat it as confidential.
(k) The granting of a motion for confidential treatment shall be subject to the ongoing authority of the commission on its own motion, or on the motion of staff, any party, or member of the public to reconsider the determination.
(l) If any information entitled to confidential treatment under this rule is thereafter released or made public by the party who sought its protection, any confidential treatment shall cease with respect to the released information but shall remain in full force and effect as to the information not so released or made public.
(m) The commission shall retain one copy of any documents entitled to confidential treatment under this rule and destroy all others within one year after all rights to appeal final orders of the commission have been exhausted.

N.H. Admin. Code § Puc 203.08

#2011, eff 5-4-82; ss by #2912, eff 11-26-84; ss by #4998, eff 11-26-90; ss by #6365, INTERIM, eff 11-18-96, EXPIRED: 3-18-97

New. #6559, eff 8-19-97, EXPIRED: 8-19-05

New. #8420, INTERIM, eff 8-23-05, EXPIRED: 2-19-06

New. #8657-A, eff 6-10-06; ss by #9897, INTERIM, eff 3-26-11, EXPIRED: 9-22-11

New. #10101, eff 3-24-12