HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has officially launched its new Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program, an effort designed to accelerate permitting processes while maintaining environmental protections.
Starting today, the SPEED program offers an expedited review option for Chapter 102 Individual NPDES permits, which govern stormwater discharges related to construction activities. This marks the first set of permits under the new initiative, with additional categories expected to follow later in July.
DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley likened the program to a “fast pass,” giving applicants the option to pay for a quicker review conducted by a DEP-verified, qualified professional. “For the past few years, DEP has looked for new ways to improve our services while still protecting Pennsylvania’s beautiful environment, and SPEED is another tool for us to do both,” Shirley said.
Under the SPEED model, qualified professionals — contracted and paid for by applicants — conduct initial reviews and provide recommendations to DEP. The department retains final authority to approve, deny, or request further information before making a permit decision. This structure aims to reduce delays and provide applicants with greater certainty, while ensuring regulatory standards are upheld.
The launch of SPEED builds on several reforms under the Shapiro administration intended to cut red tape and modernize state permitting systems. Since 2023, DEP has added 225 employees, introduced a Permit Tracker for applicants to monitor their submissions, and reduced permit backlogs by 94 percent. In total, more than 17,000 permits have been reviewed this year alone.
The program was authorized through the 2024-25 state budget and is part of Governor Josh Shapiro’s broader agenda to streamline government operations. Early in his tenure, Shapiro signed an executive order mandating a comprehensive review of licensing and permitting processes, ultimately requiring agencies to set firm deadlines or refund application fees if deadlines are missed.
DEP is also seeking bids from qualified professionals to assist with reviews for air quality, dam safety, water obstruction, and additional earth disturbance permits under the SPEED framework. Applications for these additional permit types will open in the coming weeks.
Through SPEED and other initiatives, DEP aims to help businesses move projects forward without compromising Pennsylvania’s commitment to environmental protection.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.