(a) Except as provided in (b) and (c) of this section or prohibited from disclosure under state or federal law, records in the possession of the commission are open to public inspection at reasonable times.

(b) The commission may by regulation classify records received from an in-state natural gas pipeline carrier or in-state natural gas pipeline as privileged records that are not open to the public for inspection.

(c) A record filed with the commission that is a precedent agreement between an in-state natural gas pipeline carrier and an unregulated entity is a privileged record that is not open to the public for inspection. For a record that relates to a precedent agreement, or is or relates to a contract other than a precedent agreement between an in-state natural gas pipeline carrier and an unregulated entity, if an in-state natural gas pipeline carrier identifies the provisions of the record that contain information that, if disclosed, could adversely affect the competitive position of the shipper or could cause commercial or competitive harm or damage if disclosed and the commission agrees, the information shall be treated by the commission as confidential.

(d) A person may make written objection to the public disclosure of information contained in a record filed under this chapter or of information obtained by the commission or by the attorney general under this chapter, stating the grounds for the objection. When an objection is made, the commission shall order the information withheld from public disclosure if the information adversely affects the interest of the person making written objection and disclosure is not required in the interest of the public.

(e) A commissioner may certify as to all official records of the commission under this section and may certify as to all official acts of the commission under this chapter.