Pollution Or Public Safety Administrative Penalty

Sec. 121.304. POLLUTION OR PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY. (a) The railroad commission may assess an administrative penalty against a gas utility that violates this chapter, fails to perform a duty imposed by this chapter, or fails to comply with an order of the railroad commission issued under this chapter and applicable to the gas utility if the violation: (1) results in pollution of the air or water of this state; or (2) poses a threat to the public safety. (b) The penalty for each violation or failure that is not related to pipeline safety may not exceed $10,000 a day. The penalty for each violation or failure that is related to pipeline safety may not exceed $200,000 a day. Each day a violation continues may be considered a separate violation for purposes of penalty assessment, provided that the maximum penalty that may be assessed for any related series of violations related to pipeline safety may not exceed $2 million. (c) In determining the amount of the penalty, the railroad commission shall consider: (1) the gas utility's history of previous violations of this chapter; (2) the seriousness of the violation; and (3) any hazard to the health or safety of the public. Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 104 (S.B. 900), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2013.