(a) All orders, decisions, pleadings, transcripts, exhibits, and other docket entries shall become part of the official docket and shall be retained by the hearing clerk. Except as otherwise provided by paragraph (b) of this section or part 2 of this chapter, all documents that are a part of the official docket shall be made available to the public for reasonable inspection during Agency business hours. Copies of such documents may be obtained by members of the public as provided in part 2 of this chapter.

(b) Whenever any information or data are required to be produced or examined in a hearing and any party makes a business confidentiality claim regarding such information under part 2 of this chapter, the availability of such information to the other parties or to the public shall be determined by EPA in accordance with part 2 of this chapter, including specifically the procedures and principles set forth in § 2.30l(g)(3) and (g)(4) of this chapter. The presiding officer shall make the determinations with respect to the matters referred to in § 2.301(g)(3) and (g)(4) to the extent provided, and shall take such steps as are necessary for the protection of information entitled to confidential treatment or otherwise exempt from public disclosure, including issuance of protective orders to parties or taking testimony in a closed hearing.