Revisions to the Office of Hearings and Appeals Procedural Regulations for the DOE Contractor Employee Protection Program

The Department of Energy ("DOE") is publishing this document to respond to comments received on the direct final rule to rescind an unnecessary regulation encouraging alternative dispute resolution to resolve complaints under the DOE Contractor Employee Protection Program that published on May 16, 2025. As a result, DOE delays the effective date of the direct final rule, and is responding to the comment it received on the direct final rule.