Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 17 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 17.20 - MAJOR FACILITY SITING
Subchapter 17.20.2 - Geothermal Investigation Reports
Rule 17.20.207 - CONFIDENTIALITY

(1) The pertinent technical data submitted pursuant to ARM 17.20.204 through 17.20.206 shall be for the exclusive use of the department and other state agencies involved in geothermal research or regulation, and shall remain confidential for a period of two years following commencement of operations for the drilling of an actual well for testing a potential geothermal resource or six months following completion of a well capable of producing a geothermal resource, unless approved in writing for release earlier by the person who submitted such data or unless such data are entitled to protection under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, Title 30, chapter 14, part 4, MCA.

(2) A person furnishing documents that the person believes are entitled to protection as trade secrets shall notify the department before or at the time the person furnishes the documents to the department. If the department determines that the information is protected, it shall maintain the documents as confidential. If the department determines that the documents are not entitled to protection, it shall notify the person and maintain the documents as confidential for a period reasonably necessary for the person to obtain a court order requiring the department to maintain confidentiality, or to retrieve the documents from the department.