Presiding Officer
Presiding Officer means the Administrative Law Judge designated to be in charge of an enforcement adjudication who shall conduct a fair and impartial hearing, assure that the facts are fully elicited, adjudicate all issues, avoid delay, and shall have authority to: (i) Conduct an adjudicatory hearing under this part; (ii) Rule upon motions, requests, and offers of proof, dispose of procedural requests, and issue all necessary orders; (iii) Exercise the authority set forth in 820.8; (iv) Admit or exclude evidence; (v) Hear and decide questions of fact, law, or discretion, except for the validity of regulations and interpretations issued by DOE; (vi) Require parties to attend conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues, or the expedition of the proceedings; (vii) Draw adverse inferences against a party that fails to comply with his orders; (viii) Do all other acts and take all measures necessary for the maintenance of order and for the efficient, fair and impartial adjudication of issues arising in proceedings governed by these rules.