North Dakota § 49-07-05.1 - Violations of pipeline safety standards - Penalties

§ 49-07-05.1. Violations of pipeline safety standards - Penalties

Any person who violates a rule or order of the commission pursuant to section 49-02-01.2 is subject to a civil penalty to be imposed by the commission of not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars for each violation for each day that the violation continues, except that the maximum penalty may not exceed two million dollars for any related series of violations. A civil penalty may be compromised by the commission. In determining the amount of a civil 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 nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation, the degree of culpability, any history of prior violations, the effect on ability to continue to do business, the good faith of the person charged in attempting to achieve compliance, after notification of a violation, and such other matters as justice may require. 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 of North Dakota to the person charged or may be recovered in a civil action in the district court of Burleigh County.