Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, which was enacted in 1966 and took effect July 4, 1967 provides that any person has a right to obtain access to agency records.

All agencies of the United States Government are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request for the documents, except those that are protected from disclosure or portions thereof, by the nine exemptions and three exclusions of the FOIA.

The FOIA applies only to Federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts or by state or local government agencies.

• What is the Freedom of Information Act? (PDF 29 kb)
• Public Handbook for Gaining Access to Information (PDF 12 kb)
• FOIA Requester Service Centers, Public Liaisons and links (PDF)

To request a document under the FOIA, please use the online request form, contact the FOIA Administrator at 720-962-7014, fax a request to 720-962-7009, or send a request by regular mail to: Western Area Power Administration, FOIA Officer, P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228.