MARSHALL (WKZO) -- It only makes sense that the worst oil spill ever on U.S. soil would draw the biggest fine ever issued by the U.S. Transportation Dept., which oversees pipeline regulation. They have issued a notice of probable violation, proposing that Enbridge pay a $3.7-million Civil Penalty for the pipeline break and subsequent mistakes by Enbridge crews.

They say the staff at a pipeline control center hundreds of miles away repeatedly attempted to restart the pipeline, despite alarms telling them something was wrong. All it did was pump more oil out into Talmadge Creek.

Enbridge has 30 days to respond to the proposal. They say they are currently reviewing it. It may be the biggest fine ever issued for a pipeline break, but its less than half a percent of the cost of the actual cleanup.