18469_Authority_June

54 The Authority | June 2025 The SPEED program will be available for certain Air Quality Plan Approvals, earth disturbance, dam safety, and individual water obstruction and encroachment permits ( emarketplace.state.pa.us/ Solicitations.aspx?SID=6100062194 ). DEP has also implemented the PAyback program, which went into effect in November 2023 that assures a moneyback guarantee for permit applicants if their application is overdue. Since going into effect, DEP has evaluated and decided on more than 50,000 permits without having to refund a single application fee. DEP is continuing to identify process improvements in its permitting programs. In May 2024, DEP launched a pilot program for Chapter 102 Individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit applications in ten counties. The goal of the pilot program was to reduce overall time between application and decision. This pilot program is already showing results, with one permit application submitted through the program receiving approval 73 days quicker than the average review time. DEP has also significantly improved the Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment General Permit registration process by updating the registration form and instructions to make them easier to understand. DEP also launched a new Chapter 105 Pilot Program for individual Joint Permit Applications that should reduce errors in applications and cut the total time to process an application by 63 days. Similar to the Chapter 102 Pilot Program, applicants will need to meet with DEP prior to submitting a permit application. The Chapter 105 individual Permit Pilot Program will give review priority to publicly funded energy projects and environmental restoration projects. S Source: pa.gov/agencies/dep/ newsroom/2025-04-09-getting-stuff- done-dep-reduces-permit-backlog-by-88- percent.html Associate Members Rajesh Chainani GTS by PDSLAF Region 4 John Clark Mobile Dredging & Video Pipe Inc. Maryland Tyler Evans Van Cleef Engineering Region 2 Josh Grant McClure Company Region 10 Ben Johnson Freya Systems Region 1 Ginger McCarthy Muni-Link Region 6 Bernadette McPherson Millennium Strategies, LLC New Jersey Brittany Ayers Moyer Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP Maryland Lucia Noya Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP Maryland Catherine Anne Porter Smith and Porter P.C. Region 1 Krista Patton Freya Systems Region 1 Frederick Rappold Woodard & Curran Region 1 Jason Sabol Saxton & Stump Region 4 John Shaffer Momentum ECM Region 4 Authority Members Elk County Healthcare Authority Bangor Borough Sewer Authority Earl Township Sewer Authority Eldred Township Municipal Authority Lower Mahanoy Township Municipal Authority Millerstown Municipal Authority