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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 20.57.02.05" title_num="20" subtitle_num="57" chapter_num="02" heading="Notice of Probable Violation.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>General.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Division may issue a NOPV upon finding good cause to believe a violation of the federal Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. §1671 et seq., as amended, which is incorporated by reference, or Public Utilities Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, has occurred.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The NOPV may contain a proposed compliance order.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A gas company or gas master meter operator shall respond in writing within 30 days after receipt of a NOPV.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The Commission may waive the requirements of §A(3) of this regulation upon written request from a gas company or gas master meter operator demonstrating sufficient cause.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Contents of Notice of Probable Violation. A NOPV shall include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A statement of the statute, regulation, or rule allegedly violated by a gas company or gas master meter operator;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A description of the evidence indicating a possible violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Notice of response options available to the gas company or gas master meter operator;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If appropriate, the amount of the proposed civil penalty and the maximum civil penalty applicable under law; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>If appropriate, a statement of the remedial action being sought in a compliance order.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Response Options. A gas company or gas master meter operator shall respond to the NOPV as follows:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If a NOPV contains a proposed compliance order, a gas company or gas master meter operator may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Agree to the proposed compliance order,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Request the execution of a consent order,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Object to the proposed compliance order and submit written explanations, information, or other materials in answer to the allegations in the notice, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Request a hearing under Public Utilities Article, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the NOPV contains a proposed civil penalty, a gas company or gas master meter operator may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Pay the penalty,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Submit an offer in compromise of the proposed civil penalty,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Object to the proposed civil penalty and submit a written explanation, information, or other material to mitigate the proposed civil penalty, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Request a hearing under Public Utilities Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>