HARRISBURG, PA — Rep. Jason Ortitay on March 27 introduced legislation to create a single location where all Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permitting information can be found.

“During the House Appropriations Committee budget hearings, I expressed concerns I have heard from businesses about the DEP permitting process,” Ortitay said. “Employers who do work in multiple states have said environmental permits take a much longer time in Pennsylvania as compared to our neighboring states. This delay sends a message that Pennsylvania is not open for business.”

House Bill 1003 would require DEP to compile, organize and list all of its permits, along with relevant timelines and proper statutory and regulatory authority, in one location in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and on the department’s website. DEP has a wide variety of permits that applicants must apply for and be granted before initiating projects. This change would streamline the process and help clear up uncertainty.