Protection of Sensitive Information
The NRC strives to be as open as possible and continues to encourage public participation in its licensing and oversight of the civilian uses of radioactive materials. However, the NRC must protect certain types of application information from public disclosure. These protected types of information withheld are listed in the 10 CFR 2.390. Specifically for nuclear power facilities, protected information includes trade secrets, confidential commercial or financial information, medical records and personally identifiable information for facility staff, and information related to the physical and cyber security of the proposed facility. This information is called “Controlled Unclassified Information” (CUI) and is contained within ADAMS or other NRC secure databases with restricted access. More information can be found in NRC's CUI Program.
Applicants ask the NRC to protect trade secrets, confidential commercial or financial information, by submitting an affidavit declaring the information is covered by 10 CFR 2.390. The NRC staff reviews the affidavit and submitted information, and then notifies the vendor of its decision. The NRC protects medical records and personally identifiable information for facility staff, as well as and information related to the physical and cyber security of the proposed facility without requiring an affidavit.