Where can I find the official DOE 2025–2026 guidance and change log for program classifications?

1. Where the official DOE classification guidance lives — the short route

The clearest single entry point in available reporting is DOE’s Classification Policy, Guidance & Reports page, which aggregates core orders and classification documents such as DOE Order 475.2B (Identifying Classified Information), implementing regulations, ISOO notices, and departmental bulletins ^[1]. If you want the authoritative orders that set classification rules (e.g., how Restricted Data, Formerly Restricted Data, and National Security Information are treated), start at that page ^[1].

2. Which specific documents govern classification decisions

DOE Order 475.2B is cited by DOE as the document that “establishes requirements for managing the DOE program including details for classifying and declassifying information” and governs material under the Atomic Energy Act and Executive Order 13526 ^[1]. Related regulatory materials (for example, 32 CFR Part 2001 and ISOO notices about commingling of categories) are linked from the same resource hub ^[1].

3. Definitions and program-level classification guidance — where to look

DOE’s directives site includes a “Classification Guidance” definition page explaining that classification guidance are “written, detailed instructions ... that explicitly identify whether specific information is classified and, if classified, such instructions identify the level and category” ^[2]. For program-specific instructions or system-level classification rules you should search for program or project-specific classification guidance within the DOE directives or the office that manages the relevant program ^[2].

4. Change logs, updates, and “2025–2026” tracking — what the available sources show and what they don’t

Available DOE pages surfaced in the search show current orders, bulletins, and a January 2025 “Current Pending Guidance” list for certain offices (for example, an OCED Current Pending Guidance list last updated January 2025), but they do not present a consolidated “2025–2026 guidance and change log for program classifications” in the results provided ^{[3] [1]}. In short: DOE publishes orders and guidance and maintains lists of policy flashes and deviations — but a single consolidated 2025–2026 classification change log is not shown in the available reporting ^{[3] [1]}.

5. Other DOE documents that frequently carry timely changes (useful to monitor)

Policy Flashes (PF), Acquisition/Management notices, and departmental “policy flash” pages capture timely administrative changes and class deviations (examples include PF entries on acquisition deviations and program guidance) and may include attachments and change documentation relevant to specific programs ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}. These are productive places to watch for incremental policy shifts that affect program classifications or the administration of classified-related processes ^{[4] [5]}.

6. Practical search steps and sources to check next

• Start at DOE’s Classification Policy, Guidance & Reports page for core orders (DOE Order 475.2B and associated bulletins) ^[1].
• Search the DOE directives glossary and “classification guidance” term pages for program-level guidance and definitions ^[2].
• Review office-specific “current/pending guidance” PDFs (e.g., OCED Current Pending Guidance) for dated updates and attachments; note the January 2025 update found in available results ^[3].
• Monitor DOE Management/Policy Flash pages for program-specific deviations and updates that often include attachments and findings (PF notices) ^{[4] [5] [7]}.

7. Limits in the available reporting and recommended follow-up

The search results do not show a single consolidated DOE “2025–2026” classification change log or a document explicitly titled “2025–2026 guidance and change log for program classifications” ^{[1] [3]}. If you need a dated, itemized change log for that timeframe, the correct next step is to (a) check DOE’s Classification Policy page and the directives site for any change-history attachments ^{[1] [2]}, and (b) contact DOE offices directly (for example, the Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security or the relevant program office) or use the contact points listed on specific PF or guidance pages — policy flash pages themselves list contact emails for questions ^{[4] [7]}.

8. Competing perspectives and implicit agendas to watch

DOE’s public compilation of classification policy emphasizes statutory and executive-order authorities (Atomic Energy Act and E.O. 13526) and institutional controls such as DOE Order 475.2B ^[1]. Policy Flashes and class deviations reflect administrative and procurement priorities and may be driven by broader administration objectives (e.g., FAR overhauls or departmental reorganization), so monitor PF documents for signals of shifting policy emphasis ^{[5] [7]}. Available sources do not mention political framing beyond the documents themselves; for interpretation of motives or policy trade-offs, consult the offices that issued the PFs or the order authors directly ^{[4] [7]}.

If you want, I can draft a short checklist/email template you can use to request a program-specific change log from DOE offices or locate attachments on the DOE site.