FIA-24-0040 - In the Matter of Julia Castro

On August 8, 2024, the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) denied a Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA) appeal filed by Julia Castro (Appellant) from a determination letter issued by the Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Public Information (OPI). The Appellant submitted a FOIA request seeking copies of records related to the Huemul Project. The Appellant challenged the adequacy of OPI's search. After reviewing the appeal, OHA found that OPI undertook searches in locations reasonably calculated to uncover responsive records and developed search parameters and search terms reasonably configured to produce records responsive to Appellant's FOIA request. Accordingly, the Appellant's appeal was denied. (OHA Case No. FIA-24-0040)