Schedules

Schedule 8Carbon storage information and samples: appeals

Part 2Appeals relating to enforcement of sanctionable requirements

I15Appeals against sanction imposed

1

Where a sanction notice is given in respect of a failure to comply with a sanctionable requirement, a person mentioned in sub- paragraph (2) may appeal to the Tribunal against any of the decisions of the OGA mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) (as to the sanction imposed by the notice) on the grounds mentioned in sub-paragraph (4).

2

The persons who may appeal are—

a

the person, or any of the persons, to whom the notice was given, and

b

in the case of an operator removal notice under section 119, the licensee under whose carbon storage licence the exploration operator operates.

3

The decisions against which an appeal may be made are—

a

where an enforcement notice has been given, the decision as to—

i

the measures that are required to be taken for the purposes of compliance with the sanctionable requirement, or

ii

the period for compliance with the sanctionable requirement;

b

where a financial penalty notice has been given, the decision—

i

to impose a financial penalty, or

ii

as to the amount of the financial penalty imposed;

c

where a revocation notice has been given, the decision to terminate the carbon storage licence or to revoke the storage permit;

d

where an operator removal notice has been given, the decision to require the removal of the exploration operator.

4

The grounds on which an appeal may be made are that the decision of the OGA—

a

was unreasonable, or

b

was not within the powers of the OGA.

5

On an appeal under this paragraph against a decision made in relation to an enforcement notice, the Tribunal may—

a

confirm or quash the decision, in the case of a decision mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a)(i) (remedial action), or

b

confirm or vary the decision, in the case of a decision mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a)(ii) (period for compliance),

and confirm, vary or cancel the enforcement notice accordingly.

6

On an appeal under this paragraph against a decision made in relation to a financial penalty notice, the Tribunal may—

a

confirm or quash the decision, in the case of a decision mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(b)(i) (imposition of penalty), or

b

confirm or vary the decision, in the case of a decision mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(b)(ii) (amount of penalty),

and confirm, vary or cancel the financial penalty notice accordingly.

7

The Tribunal must have regard to any guidance issued by the OGA under section 117(6)(a) when deciding whether to confirm or vary a decision as to the amount of a financial penalty under sub-paragraph (6)(b).

8

On an appeal under this paragraph against a decision to terminate a carbon storage licence, to revoke a storage permit or to require the removal of an exploration operator the Tribunal may—

a

confirm the decision,

b

vary the decision by changing the revocation date or the removal date, as the case may be, or

c

quash the decision,

and confirm, vary or cancel the sanction notice in question accordingly.

9

Where a decision is quashed under sub-paragraph (5)(a), (6)(a) or (8), the Tribunal may remit the decision to the OGA for reconsideration with such directions (if any) as the Tribunal considers appropriate.