# U.S. VENTURE, INC. — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 32021036NOPV
- **title:** U.S. VENTURE, INC. — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2021-08-25
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 195.505(b).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-32021036nopv.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-32021036nopv.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-32021036nopv
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/32021036NOPV
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving U.S. VENTURE, INC.. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 195.505(b). The case was opened on 2021-08-25 and is reported as closed as of 2021-11-18. Proposed civil penalty: $81,900. Assessed civil penalty: $81,900. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

32021036NOPV_Final Order_10142021_(20-172201).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/32021036NOPV/32021036NOPV_Final%20Order_10142021_(20-172201).pdf

32021036NOPV_Final Order_10142021_(20-172201)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/32021036NOPV/32021036NOPV_Final%20Order_10142021_(20-172201)_text.pdf

32021036NOPV_PCP_08252021_(20-172201).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/32021036NOPV/32021036NOPV_PCP_08252021_(20-172201).pdf

32021036NOPV_PCP_08252021_(20-172201)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/32021036NOPV/32021036NOPV_PCP_08252021_(20-172201)_text.pdf

32021036NOPV_Final Order_10142021_(20-172201)_text.pdf

October 14, 2021
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: jschmidt@usoil.com
John Schmidt
President & Chief Executive Officer
U.S. Venture, Inc.
425 Better Way
Appleton, Wisconsin 54915
Re: CPF No. 3-2021-036-NOPV
Dear Mr. Schmidt:
Enclosed please find the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes a finding of
violation and assesses a civil penalty of $81,900. When the civil penalty has been paid, this
enforcement action will be closed. Service of the Final Order by e-mail is effective upon the
date of transmission as provided under 49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Alan K. Mayberry
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
Enclosures (Final Order and NOPV)
cc: Mr. Gregory Ochs, Director, Central Region, Office of Pipeline Safety, PHMSA
Ms. Melodie Briggs, Compliance Manager, U.S. Venture, Inc., mbriggs@usoil.com
Mr. Eric Kessenich, President, U.S. Oil, U.S. Venture, Inc., ekessenich@usoil.com
Mr. Dan Morrill, Vice President, Terminal Operations, U.S. Venture, Inc.,
dmorrill@usoil.com
CONFIRMATION OF RECEIPT REQUESTED



U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590
____________________________________
In the Matter of )
U.S. Venture, Inc., ) CPF No. 3-2021-036-NOPV
)
)
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
FINAL ORDER
On August 25, 2021, pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the Director, Central Region, Office of
Pipeline Safety (OPS), issued a Notice of Probable Violation (Notice) to U.S. Venture, Inc.
(Respondent). The Notice proposed finding that Respondent had violated the pipeline safety
regulations in 49 C.F.R. Part 195 and proposed a civil penalty of $81,900. Respondent did not
contest the allegation of violation or the proposed civil penalty.
Based upon a review of all of the evidence, pursuant to § 190.213, I find Respondent violated the
pipeline safety regulation listed below, as more fully described in the enclosed Notice, which is
incorporated by reference:
49 C.F.R. § 195.505(b) (Item 1) ─ Respondent failed to identify covered tasks
and to qualify seven terminal technicians responsible for performing monthly
rectifier readings and/or rectifier calibrations until late October 2020.
This finding of violation will be considered a prior offense in any subsequent enforcement action
taken against Respondent. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.223, Respondent is assessed a
civil penalty amount of $81,900.
Payment of the civil penalty must be made within 20 days of service. Federal regulations (49
C.F.R. § 89.21(b)(3)) require such payment to be made by wire transfer through the Federal
Reserve Communications System (Fedwire), to the account of the U.S. Treasury. Detailed
instructions are contained in the enclosure. Questions concerning wire transfers should be
directed to: Financial Operations Division (AMK-325), Federal Aviation Administration, Mike
Monroney Aeronautical Center, 6500 S MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 79169.
The Financial Operations Division telephone number is (405) 954-8845.
Failure to pay the $81,900 civil penalty will result in accrual of interest at the current annual rate
in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 3717, 31 C.F.R. § 901.9 and 49 C.F.R. § 89.23. Pursuant to



CPF No. 3-2021-36-NOPV
Page 2
those same authorities, a late penalty charge of six percent (6%) per annum will be charged if
payment is not made within 110 days of service. Furthermore, failure to pay the civil penalty
may result in referral of the matter to the Attorney General for appropriate action in a district
court of the United States.
The terms and conditions of this order are effective upon service in accordance with 49 C.F.R.
§ 190.5.
October 14, 2021
___________________________________ _________________________
Alan K. Mayberry Date Issued
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
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