The Shapiro Administration is lauding its efforts to improve state permitting and is pointing to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s progress as an example. DEP’s modernization of its permitting process, hiring of additional staff members, and cataloging and reviewing the nearly 800 available types of permits, has resulted in a claimed reduction in the permit backlog by nearly 1,300 permits or 67% as of October 1, 2024.  

The Administration also states that its Payback Program, with a moneyback guarantee for permit applications, has not resulted in a single refund from DEP since its inception in November 2023, despite approving more than 40,000 permits in that timeframe.  

No updates were provided in a pilot program to speed up Chapter 102 Individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit applications, which was announced in the spring. Many townships have complained about years-long delays in the review and approval processes for these permits, often for badly needed sewage systems or sewage system upgrades. 

How are these changes impacting your township? PSATS wants to hear from township officials that have either received a long-awaited DEP permit in the last few months or (in the alternative) have had a permit application returned as incomplete (to reset the clock) or with comments before DEP will approve the permit. Please reach out to Brian Rengert, PSATS Deputy Director of Government Relations with stories of approved permits or returned applications at brengert@psats.org or call him at 717-763-0930 ext. 127.