---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 15901"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "15901"
heading: "General authority"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/15901"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Interstate Transportation"
  - "Part C — Pipeline Carriers"
  - "Chapter 159 — Enforcement: Investigations, Rights, and Remedies"
---

# §15901. General authority

- (a) **Investigation; Compliance Order.—** Except as otherwise provided in this part, the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may begin an investigation under this part only on complaint. If the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) finds that a [pipeline carrier](/usc/49/15102.md?p=2) is violating this part, the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) shall take appropriate action to compel compliance with this part. The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) shall provide the [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) notice of the investigation and an opportunity for a proceeding.
- (b) **Complaint.—** A [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18), including a governmental authority, may file with the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) a complaint about a violation of this part by a [pipeline carrier](/usc/49/15102.md?p=2) providing [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service subject to this part. The complaint must [state](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) the facts that are the subject of the violation. The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may dismiss a complaint it determines does not [state](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) reasonable grounds for investigation and action. However, the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may not dismiss a complaint made against a [pipeline carrier](/usc/49/15102.md?p=2) providing [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) subject to this part because of the absence of direct damage to the complainant.
- (c) **Automatic Dismissal.—** A formal investigative proceeding begun by the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) under [subsection (a)](#a) is dismissed automatically unless it is concluded by the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) with administrative finality by the end of the 3d year after the date on which it was begun.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, § 106(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 926.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 11701 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, § 102(a).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.