430.74—Hearings and appeals.
(a)
Pursuant to section 333(d) of the Act, before issuing an order assessing a civil penalty against any person under this section, the Secretary shall provide to such person notice of the proposed penalty. Such notice shall inform such person of that person's opportunity to elect in writing within 30 days after the date of receipt of such notice to have the procedures of paragraph (c) of this section (in lieu of those in paragraph (b) of this section) apply with respect to such assessment.
(b)
(1)
Unless an election is made within 30 calendar days after receipt of notice under paragraph (a) of this section to have paragraph (c) of this section apply with respect to such penalty, the Secretary shall assess the penalty, by order, after a determination of violation has been made on the record after an opportunity for an agency hearing pursuant to section 554 of title 5, United States Code, before an administrative law judge appointed under section 3105 of such title 5. Such assessment order shall include the administrative law judge's findings and the basis for such assessment.
(2)
Any person against whom a penalty is assessed under this section may, within 60 calendar days after the date of the order of the Secretary assessing such penalty, institute an action in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate judicial circuit for judicial review of such order in accordance with chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code. The court shall have jurisdiction to enter a judgment affirming, modifying, or setting aside in whole or in part, the order of the Secretary, or the court may remand the proceeding to the Secretary for such further action as the court may direct.
(c)
(1)
In the case of any civil penalty with respect to which the procedures of this section have been elected, the Secretary shall promptly assess such penalty, by order, after the date of the receipt of the notice under paragraph (a) of this section of the proposed penalty.
(2)
If the civil penalty has not been paid within 60 calendar days after the assessment has been made under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the Secretary shall institute an action in the appropriate District Court of the United States for an order affirming the assessment of the civil penalty. The court shall have authority to review de novo the law and the facts involved and shall have jurisdiction to enter a judgment enforcing, modifying, and enforcing as so modified, or setting aside in whole or in part, such assessment.
(3)
Any election to have this paragraph apply may not be revoked except with the consent of the Secretary.
(d)
If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty after it has become a final and unappealable order under paragraph (b) of this section, or after the appropriate District Court has entered final judgment in favor of the Secretary under paragraph (c) of this section, the Secretary shall institute an action to recover the amount of such penalty in any appropriate District Court of the United States. In such action, the validity and appropriateness of such final assessment order or judgment shall not be subject to review.
(e)
(1)
In accordance with the provisions of section 333(d)(5)(A) of the Act and notwithstanding the provisions of title 28, United States Code, or section 502(c) of the Department of Energy Organization Act, the Secretary shall be represented by the General Counsel of the Department of Energy (or any attorney or attorneys within DOE designated by the Secretary) who shall supervise, conduct, and argue any civil litigation to which paragraph (c) of this section applies including any related collection action under paragraph (d) of this section in a court of the United States or in any other court, except the Supreme Court of the United States. However, the Secretary or the General Counsel shall consult with the Attorney General concerning such litigation and the Attorney General shall provide, on request, such assistance in the conduct of such litigation as may be appropriate.
(2)
In accordance with the provisions of section 333(d)(5)(B) of the Act, and subject to the provisions of section 502(c) of the Department of Energy Organization Act, the Secretary shall be represented by the Attorney General, or the Solicitor General, as appropriate, in actions under this section, except to the extent provided in paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
(3)
In accordance with the provisions of section 333(d)(5)(C) of the Act, section 402(d) of the Department of Energy Organization Act shall not apply with respect to the function of the Secretary under this section.