2017 West Virginia Code
CHAPTER 24B. GAS PIPELINE SAFETY.
ARTICLE 4. HEARINGS; BURDEN OF PROOF; ENFORCEMENT.
§24B-4-6. Penalties.
(a) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or any valid regulation or order issued thereunder is subject to a civil penalty to be imposed by the commission not to exceed $200,000 for each violation for each day the violation persists: Provided, That the maximum aggregate civil penalty may not exceed $2 million for any related series of violations.
(b) Any civil penalty may be compromised by the commission. In determining the amount of penalty, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, the commission shall consider the appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the business of the person charged, the gravity of the violation, and the good faith of the person charged in attempting to achieve compliance after notification of the violation. The amount of the penalty, when finally determined, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, may be deducted from any sums owing by the state to the person charged or may be recovered in a civil action in the state courts.
(c) Civil penalties collected by the commission under this section shall be submitted to the Treasurer for deposit into the General Revenue Fund.
(d) No civil penalty paid under this section may be considered by the commission in support of any application for a rate increase submitted by the violator.
