On December 11-12, 2024, an Investigator from PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety Field Operations ("OHMSFO") conducted a routine compliance inspection at Respondent's business pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 5121 and 49 C.F.R. § 107.305. PHMSA's investigator reported three (3) alleged violations of the HMR. At the conclusion of the investigation, PHMSA's Investigator conducted an "exit briefing" during which the investigator discussed the alleged violations and the required corrective actions with Respondent's representative.

Upon completion of the investigation, the investigator submitted a report to the Director of OHMSFO's Central Region, who reviewed the report for accuracy and sufficiency of evidence. Based on that review, the Regional Director referred the matter to PHMSA's Office of Chief Counsel thereby recommending the initiation of a civil penalty action against Respondent pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 107 .311.

Based on a preliminary assessment of the apparent nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the probable violation, as set forth in the investigator's report, on June 4, 2025, an attorney from PHMSA's Office of Chief Counsel issued a Notice of Probable Violation ("Notice" or "NOPV") alleging two (2) violations of the HMR (and one Quality Control item) and proposing a $6,075 civil penalty.

In consideration of Respondent's corrective actions for this violation and in the interest of settlement, I am further reducing the penalty by $1,215, which represents a 20% reduction of the penalty proposed in the Notice.