Chapter 24B, Chapter 24B

It is hereby declared to be the purpose and policy of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to empower the Public Service Commission of West Virginia, in addition to all other powers conferred and duties imposed upon it by law, to prescribe and enforce safety standards for pip…

When used in this chapter: (1) "Person" means any individual, firm, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association, state, municipality, cooperative association or joint-stock association, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee or personal representative thereof; (2) …

The commission shall have power and authority to prescribe and enforce safety standards for pipeline facilities, and to regulate safety practices of persons engaged in the transportation of gas or hazardous liquids, to the extent permitted by the "Act of 1968" and the "Act of 197…

The commission shall prescribe such rules and regulations as it may deem proper for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter without distinction based on the interstate or intrastate character of the person, thing or activity to which such rules and regulations apply.

The commission shall have power to investigate all methods and practices of pipeline companies; to require the maintenance and filing of reports, records and other information in such form and detail as the commission may prescribe; to enter upon and to inspect the property, buil…

The commission shall cooperate with the secretary and other agencies of the United States in the enforcement of this chapter and the "Act of 1968" and amendments thereto; and to this end, the commission shall take such steps as may be necessary to make annual certifications to th…

Every pipeline company shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and of all valid regulations and orders issued by the commission.

Every pipeline company shall file with the commission a plan for inspection and maintenance of the pipeline facilities owned or operated by it, and shall subsequently file any changes in such plan, in form and content as the commission may prescribe.

Every pipeline company shall file with the commission an annual report showing: (1) Name and address of the pipeline company filing the report; (2) all accidents or incidents involving its pipeline facilities that occurred during the preceding twelve months involving personal inj…

Nothing in this chapter shall affect the common law or statutory tort liability of any person.

To carry out the purposes of this chapter, the commission is authorized to conduct conferences, formal and informal hearings, to make findings of fact and conclusions of law, and to enter orders with respect to any issues that may arise under this chapter.

Where an issue is made of the propriety of a plan submitted under section two, article three hereof, the burden of proof of the propriety of such plan shall be on the pipeline company submitting such plan.

The commission shall prescribe rules of practice and procedure, the method and manner of holding hearings, and for taking evidence on all matters that may come before it, and enter such orders as may be just and lawful. In the investigations, preparations, and hearings of cases, …

The commission shall, either as a commission or by any of its members, or by designated employees, subpoena witnesses, take testimony, administer oaths to any witness in any proceeding or examination instituted before or conducted by it with reference to any matter within its jur…

The commission may compel obedience to its lawful orders by mandamus or injunction or other proper proceedings in the name of the state in any circuit court having jurisdiction of the parties or of the subject matter, or the Supreme Court of Appeals direct.

(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 agg…

The commission shall appoint a director of the pipeline safety section of the Public Service Commission and such employees as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, and shall fix their respective salaries or compensation. The commission may designate such e…

Each member of the commission shall receive a salary in the amount set forth in section three, article one, chapter twenty-four of this code as compensation for the administration of this chapter in addition to all other salary or compensation otherwise provided for by law, to be…

(a) Every pipeline company shall pay a special license fee in addition to those now required by law. The amount of such fees shall be fixed by the Public Service Commission and levied by it annually on each pipeline company at a rate of $18.60 per mile of three-inch equivalent pi…

Any party feeling aggrieved by the entry of a final order by the commission, affecting him or it, may present a petition in writing to the Supreme Court of Appeals, or to a judge thereof in vacation, within thirty days after the entry of such order, praying for the suspension of …

The powers conferred and duties imposed upon the commission by this chapter are in addition to, and not in derogation of, the powers conferred and duties imposed upon the commission by chapter twenty-four and chapter twenty-four-a of the code.