With the end of the Cold War, the Department of Energy is engaged in a review of its policies regarding the classification of information. In 1994, the Secretary of Energy requested the assistance of the National Research Council in an effort to "lift the veil of Cold War secrecy." This book recommends fundamental principles to guide declassification policy. It also offers specific suggestions of ways to improve public access while protecting truly sensitive information.

The Dept. of Energy (DOE) handles and manages a broad spectrum of classified information, including National Security Information (NSI), which relates to national defense and foreign relations information. Federal requirements for NSI stress the need for the flow of information without compromising its protection, and prescribe a uniform system for classifying, safeguarding and declassifying NSI. The DOE's Office of Health, Safety and Security's Office of Classification manages the DOE classification program and establishes policies to conform with Federal classification requirements. This inspection report assessed the status of DOE's classified NSI program. The vast majority of DOE's classified information is Restricted Data and Formerly Restricted Data, which concerns nuclear weapons-related data. Figures. This is a print on demand report.

With the end of the Cold War, the Department of Energy is engaged in a review of its policies regarding the classification of information. In 1994, the Secretary of Energy requested the assistance of the National Research Council in an effort to "lift the veil of Cold War secrecy." This book recommends fundamental principles to guide declassification policy. It also offers specific suggestions of ways to improve public access while protecting truly sensitive information.