26 Del. Admin. Code § 8002-7.0

Current through Reigster Vol. 28, No. 6, December 1, 2024

Section 8002-7.0 - Enforcement Procedures

7.1 Upon receiving notice of excavation damage, staff shall provide email notification to the person reporting the damage that it has received the filing. Staff shall review each notification of excavation damage to determine any violations by operators, excavators or the approved notification center, and may take the following actions (if warranted):

7.1.1 Citation: Upon determining that a probable violation of a provision of this regulation has occurred, staff may issue a citation in writing to a respondent, notifying the respondent of the results of the on-site evaluation (if applicable) and identifying specific provisions of this regulation or the Damage Prevention Act alleged to have been violated. Unless staff and the respondent otherwise agree, the respondent shall reply in writing within 30 days of receipt of the citation. In responding to the citation, the respondent may submit a written plan to staff specifying actions that the respondent will take to correct the alleged violation, a schedule for completion of each action step, and a final date of completion. The respondent may also request an informal conference with staff in an effort to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of the alleged violation. If staff accepts the corrective plan submitted by the respondent, the citation will be deemed resolved without the need for further escalation to a warning letter or a notice of probable violation.

7.1.2 Warning letter: Upon determining that a probable violation or violations of this regulation has occurred or is continuing, staff may issue a warning letter notifying the respondent of the probable violation and advising respondent to correct it, if it is correctable, and comply henceforth, or be subject to enforcement procedures under this regulation. Staff shall: provide the respondent with copies of all relevant documentation, including the citation (if applicable) and any written violation reports; notify the respondent of the results of the on-site evaluation (if applicable); and identify the specific provisions of this regulation or the Damage Prevention Act alleged to have been violated. Unless staff and the respondent otherwise agree, the respondent shall reply in writing within 30 days of receipt of the warning letter. In responding to the warning letter, the respondent may submit a written plan to staff specifying actions that the respondent will take to correct the alleged violation, a schedule for completion of each action step, and a final date of completion. Respondent may also request an informal conference with staff in an effort to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of the alleged violation. If staff accepts the corrective plan submitted by the respondent, the warning letter will be deemed resolved without the need for further escalation to a notice of probable violation.

7.1.3 Notice of Probable Violation

7.1.3.1 If staff has reason to believe that a material violation of this regulation has occurred, or if the respondent has failed to complete the agreed upon corrective action plan after relating to a citation or a warning letter, or if the respondent has multiple, similar violations, Staff may commence an enforcement proceeding by issuing a notice of probable violation (NOPV).

7.1.3.2 The NOPV shall include the following:

7.1.3.2.1 A listing of the provisions of this regulation or the Damage Prevention Act which the respondent is alleged to have violated, a description of the evidence on which the allegations are based, and copies of all relevant documentation, including a copy of any written violation reports and citation or citations or warning letter or letters, if applicable;

7.1.3.2.2 Notice of the response options available to the respondent under subsection 7.3 of this regulation;

7.1.3.2.3 If a penalty is proposed, the amount of the proposed penalty and the maximum penalty for which the respondent may be liable; and

7.1.3.2.4 A proposed consent order pursuant to subsection 7.4 of this regulation.

7.1.3.3 An NOPV may be amended at any time prior to the issuance of a final order. If an amendment includes any new material allegations of fact or proposes an increased penalty, the respondent shall have another opportunity to respond under subsection 7.3 of this regulation.

7.2 Service. Service of the citation, warning letter, or NOPV shall only be complete upon service on the respondent's registered agent by U.S. Postal Service first class mail delivery or to a person designated by the respondent to receive service from staff by either U.S. Postal Service or by email. Staff shall serve citations, warning letters, or NOPVs by U.S. Postal Service first class mail delivery and to a person designated by the respondent to receive service from the Commission to those respondents who have requested both methods of service.

7.3 Respondent's Options

7.3.1 Within 30 days after receipt of an NOPV, the respondent shall respond in one of the following ways:

7.3.1.1 Sign the consent order and return it with payment of any proposed penalty.

7.3.1.2 Submit a written explanation, information, or other material in response to the allegations contained in the NOPV.

7.3.1.3 Request an informal conference with staff. Upon request for an informal conference, staff will establish a date, time, and location for the conference. At the informal conference, the respondent shall have the right to be represented by an attorney or other person and shall have the right to present relevant evidence. Any evidence that staff may have which indicates that the respondent may have violated this regulation shall be made available to the respondent, who shall have the opportunity to rebut this evidence, either at the informal conference, in writing within twenty days following the informal conference, or by other mutually agreed to arrangements.

7.3.1.4 In responding to the NOPV, the respondent may submit a written plan to staff specifying actions that the respondent will take to correct the alleged violation, a schedule for completion of each action step, a final date of completion, and payment of any proposed penalty. If staff accepts the corrective plan submitted by the respondent, staff and respondent may propose a consent order to the Commission in accordance with subsection 7.4.

7.3.2 Failure of the respondent to respond in accordance with subsection 7.3 .1.1, 7.3.1.2, or 7.3.1.3 shall constitute a waiver of the respondent's right to contest the allegations in the NOPV and authorizes the Commission, upon 30 days' notice to the respondent, to find the facts to be as alleged in the NOPV and to issue a final order under subsection 7.5 of this regulation. Prior to the Commission's issuance of a final order under this subsection, the respondent may submit a written plan to the Commission specifying actions that the respondent will take to correct the alleged violation, a schedule for completion of each action step, a final date of completion, and payment of any proposed penalty. If the Commission accepts the corrective plan submitted by the respondent, the Commission may issue a consent order in accordance with subsection 7.4.

7.4 Consent Orders

7.4.1 Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the Commission may at any time resolve an outstanding NOPV with a consent order. A consent order shall be signed by the respondent to whom it is issued, or a duly authorized representative, and shall indicate agreement with the terms thereof. A consent order need not constitute an admission that the respondent committed the violation.

7.4.2 A consent order is a final order of the Commission having the same force and effect as a final order issued pursuant to subsection 7.5 of this regulation.

7.4.3 A consent order shall include an express waiver of appeal or judicial review rights that might otherwise attach to a final order of the Commission.

7.4.4 A consent order may include, but is not limited to, corrective action, assessment of a penalty, and mandatory education or training.

7.5 Final order

7.5.1 If staff and the respondent do not agree to a consent order, the Commission will open a docket and conduct an evidentiary hearing (either directly or by its designee) pursuant to the Rules of Practice and Procedureof the Delaware Public Service Commission, codified at 26 DE Admin. Code 1001. After the conclusion of the hearing, the Commission shall issue a final order that includes the following:

7.5.2 A statement of findings and determinations on all material issues; and

7.5.3 If a penalty is assessed, the amount of the penalty and the procedures for payment of the penalty.

7.6 Assessment of Penalties

7.6.1 Except as provided in subsection 7.6 .2, whoever, by action or inaction, violates a provision of this regulation shall, for the first offense, be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500. For each subsequent like offense, such person shall be fined not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 for each violation.

7.6.2 Operators of underground pipeline facilities, excavators, and the approved notification center shall, upon violation of any applicable requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 198, Subpart C [49 C.F.R. § 198.31 et seq.], be subject to civil penalties not to exceed $10,000 for each violation for each day that the violation persists, except that the maximum civil penalty shall not exceed $500,000 for any related series of violations.

7.6.3 In determining the amount of the fine, the Commission shall consider the nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation and, with respect to the person found to have committed the violation, the degree of culpability, any history of prior violations, the effect on the ability to continue to do business, any good faith in attempting to achieve compliance, ability to pay the fine, and such other matters as justice may require.

7.6.4 No penalties provided for in subsection 7.6 of this regulation shall apply to any excavation or demolition done by the owner of a private residence when such excavation or demolition is made entirely on the land on which the private residence is situated and provided there is no encroachment on any operator's rights-of-way or easement. However, this exemption shall not affect the civil liability of such private residence owner pursuant to 26 Del.C. § 811.

7.7 Payment of Penalties

7.7.1 Payment of a penalty under this regulation shall be made by check or money order to the "State of Delaware" and sent to the Secretary of the Commission, 861 Silver Lake Blvd., Cannon Building, Suite 100, Dover, Delaware 19904.

7.7.2 If a respondent fails to pay the full amount of a penalty assessed in a final order within 30 days after receipt of the final order, the Commission may refer the case to the Attorney General with a request that an action to collect the assessed penalty be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction.

26 Del. Admin. Code § 8002-7.0

24 DE Reg. 607 (12/1/2020) (Final)