(a) Secretary's statement of reasons. Where an affected employee or authorized employee representative files a notice of contest with respect to the abatement period, the Secretary shall, within 14 days from receipt of the notice of contest, file a clear and concise statement of the reasons the abatement period prescribed by the Secretary is not unreasonable.

(b) Response to Secretary's statement. Not later than 14 days after service of the Secretary's statement, referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, the contesting affected employee or authorized employee representative shall file a response. Service of the filed statement on the other parties and intervenors shall be accomplished in a manner prescribed in § 2200.7(c).

(c) Expedited proceedings. All contests under this section shall be handled as expedited proceedings as provided for in § 2200.103.