Section 49-22-21 - Penalties1. Any person required by this chapter to have a certificate or permit who willfully begins construction of an electric energy conversion facility or electric transmission facility without previously securing a certificate or permit as prescribed by this chapter, or who willfully constructs, operates, or maintains an electric energy conversion facility or electric transmission facility other than in compliance with the certificate or permit and any terms, conditions, and modifications contained therein is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.2. Any person who willfully violates any regulation issued or approved pursuant to this chapter or who willfully falsifies, tampers with, or renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under this chapter shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.3. Any person who willfully engages in any of the following conduct is subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed ten thousand dollars for each such violation for each day the violations persist, except that the maximum penalty may not exceed two hundred thousand dollars for any related series of violations: a. Begins construction of an electric energy conversion facility or an electric transmission facility without having been issued a certificate or permit pursuant to this chapter.b. Constructs, operates, or maintains an electric energy conversion facility or an electric transmission facility other than in compliance with the certificate or permit and any terms, conditions, or modifications contained therein.c. Violates any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted by the commission pursuant to this chapter.d. Falsifies, tampers with, or renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained pursuant to a certificate or permit issued pursuant to this chapter. The civil penalty provided for in this subsection may be compromised by the commission. The amount of the penalty when finally determined or agreed upon in compromise must be deposited in the general fund and, if not paid, may be recovered in a civil action in the courts of the state.
4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the commission, by injunctive procedures, without bond or other undertaking, may proceed against any person who willfully engages in any conduct described in subsection 3. No liability shall accrue to the commission or its authorized representative in proceeding against any person pursuant to this section.Amended by S.L. 2017, ch. 328 (HB 1144),§ 21, eff. 7/1/2017.