PHMSA adjusts penalty amounts

PHMSA adjusts penalty amounts    The U.S. Transportation Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has adjusted its maximum and minimum civil penalties for shippers knowingly violating the federal hazardous materials transportation laws and regulations.
   Effective Dec. 31, the maximum civil penalty will be increased to $55,000, and to $110,000 for a violation that results in death, serious illness, severe injury, and substantial property destruction.
   The minimum civil penalty will be increased to $275, and to $495 for a violation related to training.
   PHMSA said these penalty adjustments are required by the 1990 Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act, as amended by the 1996 Debt Collection Improvement Act.
   The final rule outlining the PHMSA civil penalty increases is available in the Federal Register.