(a) Any operator who commits a violation enumerated in subdivision (f) of Section 4453 or who fails to file the report required by Section 4454 or fails to comply with a directive of the commission pursuant to Section 4456 is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day that the violation, or failure to file the report or respond to the directive continues, but not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for a single violation or related series of violations. The commission shall enforce this subdivision.

(b) The commission may enforce subdivision (a) in the following manner:

(1) By issuing a citation to the operator, as defined by Section 18603 of the Health and Safety Code. In the event of a violation that constitutes a significant or immediate danger to the health and safety of the customers, the citation shall be issued immediately and served upon the responsible person or the holder of the permit to operate the distribution system. The operator shall be responsible for the correction of any violations for which a citation has been given pursuant to this subdivision.

(2) Service of the citation shall be effected either personally or by first-class mail. Each citation shall be in writing and shall describe with particularity the nature of the violation, including a reference to the statutory provisions or regulations alleged to have been violated, as well as any penalty provided by law for failure to make a timely correction. The citation shall fix the earliest feasible time, as determined by the commission, for the elimination of the condition constituting the alleged violation.

(3) A distribution system operator may request an informal conference with the commission staff to challenge any citation alleging a violation, or any directive to correct a violation. The informal conference, any subsequent hearings, or appeals of a decision of the commission shall be conducted in accordance with the rules and procedures prescribed by the commission.

(c) The remedies provided by this chapter are cumulative and shall not be construed to supersede other provisions of law providing sanctions for violators of this chapter, including, but not limited to, Sections 2112 and 2113.

(d) Nothing in this chapter affects the tort liability of the operator of a distribution system.

(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 388, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)