(a) Whenever, on the basis of any information, the Secretary determines that any person is in violation of any requirement of this chapter, or any rule or regulation promulgated hereunder, the Secretary shall give notice to the violator of said violator’s failure to comply with such requirement. If such violation extends beyond the thirtieth day after the Secretary’s notification, the Department may issue an order requiring compliance within a specified time period.

(b) If such violator fails to take action to correct the violation within the time specified in the order, he or she shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 for each day of continued noncompliance and the Secretary may suspend or revoke any permit issued to the violator.

(c) Any order or any suspension or revocation of a permit shall become final unless, not later than 30 days after the order or notice of the suspension or revocation is served, the person or persons named therein request a public hearing. Upon such request, the Secretary shall conduct a public hearing in accordance with § 6006 of this title. In connection with any proceeding under this subsection, the Secretary may issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books and documents and may promulgate rules for discovery procedures.

(d) Any order issued under this section shall state with reasonable specificity the nature of the violation and specify a time for compliance and assess a penalty, if any, which the Secretary determines is reasonable, taking into account the seriousness of the violation and any good faith efforts to comply with the applicable requirements.

(e) In lieu of the compliance order procedure in subsection (a) of this section, any person who violates a provision of this chapter, any rule or regulation, or any order of the Secretary shall be liable for a civil penalty of not less than $1,000, nor more than $25,000 for each day of violation. The Superior Court shall have jurisdiction over offenses under this chapter.

(f) If the violation consists solely of a failure to register an underground storage tank or submit other notifications as required, the Secretary may elect to bring a civil action in the Justice of the Peace Court for a penalty not to exceed $1,000. Each day of violation shall be considered as a separate violation.

(g) Any expenses or civil penalties collected by the Department under this action shall be credited to the administration fund established under § 7418(d) of this title.

65 Del. Laws, c. 161, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 425, §§ 6, 7; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 79 Del. Laws, c. 440, § 8.