§ 2.119 - Discretionary release of exempt documents.

(a) An EPA office may, in its discretion, release requested records despite the applicability of one or more of the exemptions listed in § 2.118 (a)(2), (a)(5), or (a)(7). Disclosure of such records is encouraged if no important purpose would be served by withholding the records.

(b) As a matter of policy, EPA will not release a requested record if EPA has determined that one or more of the exemptions listed in § 2.118(a)(1), (3), (4), (6), (8), or (9), applies to the record, except when ordered to do so by a Federal court or in exceptional circumstances under appropriate restrictions with the approval of the Office of General Counsel or a Regional Counsel.