THE GOVERNOR
Title 4—ADMINISTRATION
[54 Pa.B. 8058]
[Saturday, December 14, 2024]
PART I. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
[4 PA. CODE CH. 7]
[EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2024-04]
PA Permit Fast Track Program November 19, 2024
Whereas, timely permitting and licensing is critical for spurring economic development, cutting costs, creating jobs, strengthening communities, and speeding up construction of critical infrastructure; and
Whereas, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council's FAST-41 Program provides a model to improve timeliness, predictability, and transparency of the federal environmental review and authorization process for certain critical infrastructure projects; and
Whereas, Executive Order 2023-05 established the Office of Transformation and Opportunity to assist with the implementation of transformational economic development projects by coordinating interagency cooperation and expediting Commonwealth agency permit and license reviews; and
Whereas, the Commonwealth seeks to improve efficiencies in various permitting processes, which has been set forth in Executive Order 2023-07, Building Efficiency in the Commonwealth's Permitting, Licensing, and Certification Processes; and
Whereas, Act 54 of 2024 established the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Economic Development (SPEED) program within the Department of Environmental Protection, giving applicants the opportunity to have their initial review conducted by a verified professional for certain permits; and
Whereas, the Commonwealth and stakeholders will benefit from improved predictability, timeliness, and transparency in the permitting and licensing process; and
Whereas, having a permitting or licensing process that is designed to accelerate critical infrastructure and transformational economic development project delivery within the Commonwealth will enhance Pennsylvania's economic competitiveness, increase economic opportunity within the Commonwealth, and position Pennsylvania as an infrastructure leader nationally and globally.
Now, Therefore, I, Josh Shapiro, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other laws, do hereby establish the Pennsylvania (PA) Permit Fast Track Program, and order and direct as follows:
Governor
Fiscal Note: GOV-2024-04. No fiscal impact; recommends adoption.
Annex A
TITLE 4. ADMINISTRATION
PART I. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
CHAPTER 7. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Subchapter MMM. PA PERMIT FAST TRACK PROGRAM Sec.
7.1011. Purpose. 7.1012. Definitions. 7.1013. Responsibilities. 7.1014. Relationship with other agencies. 7.1015. Implementation. 7.1016. Effective date. § 7.1011. Purpose.
The PA Permit Fast Track Program will enhance public awareness, collaboration, accountability, coordination, transparency and predictability in the Commonwealth's permitting, licensing and authorizations processes for critical infrastructure projects and projects delivering significant economic development to Pennsylvanians.
Through a collaborative process, governmental entities and private stakeholders will jointly develop clear project timelines, set milestones and track progress through a publicly available dashboard.
§ 7.1012. Definitions.
The following term, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
OTO—The Office of Transformation and Opportunity.
§ 7.1013. Responsibilities.
The OTO shall:
(1) Issue program guidance and provide training on the PA Permit Fast Track Program process.
(2) After gathering appropriate information, determine if a project should be designated for participation in the PA Permit Fast Track Program.
(3) Provide project coordination services to critical infrastructure and economic development projects identified by the OTO in consultation with the Office of the Governor. Projected management services include developing coordinated timelines for permitting and approvals across relevant agencies, liaising with project sponsors and updating the PA Permit Fast Track Dashboard.
(4) Assist in the operating and maintaining of a public-facing dashboard to display progress against established permitting timelines associated with designated critical infrastructure and economic development projects.
(5) Design and implement a process to facilitate coordination among permitting agencies and to improve the timeliness, predictability and transparency of the agency's review and authorization processes for designated critical infrastructure and economic development projects.
(6) Provide technical assistance to implement the PA Permit Fast Track Program.
§ 7.1014. Relationship with other agencies.
Commonwealth departments, boards, offices, commissions and other agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction shall cooperate with and provide assistance to the OTO as needed with respect to its purpose and responsibilities as set forth in this subchapter.
§ 7.1015. Implementation.
This subchapter shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and regulations. Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, office, board, commission or council, or the head thereof. This subchapter is not intended to, and does not create, any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the Commonwealth, its departments, agencies or entities; its officers, employees or agents; or any other person.
§ 7.1016. Effective date.
This subchapter shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect until amended or rescinded by the Governor.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 24-1766. Filed for public inspection December 13, 2024, 9:00 a.m.]
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