The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has announced that the increased maximum civil penalties for safety violations of Federal hazardous materials transportation law and the regulations issued under that law that lead to death, serious injuries or extensive property damage are now in effect. The increased penalties are being published in revisions to PHMSA’s regulations and reflect statutory changes in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). Civil penalties are assessed for knowingly violating a hazardous material transportation law or a regulation, order, special permit or approval issued under that law. MAP-21 provides that the following updated civil penalties apply to violations occurring on or after October 1, 2012: