Shapiro Signs Executive Order to Coordinate Permitting of Key Projects 

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order yesterday to create a Pennsylvania Permit Fast Track program to streamline the commonwealth’s permitting process for key economic development and infrastructure projects, including permit coordination across agencies. The Office of Transformation and Opportunity will lead the program and will develop, manage, and coordinate permitting for complex economic development and infrastructure projects. OTO is charged with improving the timeliness, predictability, and transparency of agency reviews. 

The executive order also creates a dashboard to track the progress of projects, permitting timelines, and feedback from applicants. OTO will also manage the dashboard. Interestingly, the Fast Track website includes a glossary and lists several permits known to take an inordinate amount of time for review and approval, including NPDES permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection and Highway Occupancy Permits from the state Department of Transportation. To learn more, click here for the press release.