(a) If CEQ determines or estimates that we will charge you more than $25.00 in fees, we will notify you of our determination or estimate, unless you have already told us that you are willing to pay fees equal to or in excess of the amount we have determined or estimated.

(1) If CEQ can only estimate a part of the fee, we will explain that in the notice.

(2) If you are entitled to 2 hours of searching and 100 pages of duplication for free for the reasons described in § 1515.33, CEQ will advise you of this and explain whether we have already provided these entitlements.

(3) CEQ may ask you to tell us the maximum amount you are willing to pay in fees in writing, in which case we will toll the period for processing your request until you respond.

(b) If CEQ determines or estimates that the fee will exceed the maximum amount you previously told us you were willing to pay, we will inquire with you about modifying your request or increasing the maximum, and we will toll the period for processing your request until you respond.

(c) If you have not provided a way to contact you regarding fee matters, or you do not respond to a fee-related inquiry within 30 calendar days, CEQ will deny your request.