Harrisburg, PA – Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it had eliminated the historic permit backlog of more than 2,400 permits that were overdue and on the clock as of November 1, 2023, as well as reviewed and acted on more than 30,000 permit applications so far in 2025.
“Eliminating this permit backlog while continuing to review tens of thousands of new permit applications shows that DEP can get stuff done. We can provide certainty, transparency, predictability, and accountability for business and industry and the people of Pennsylvania know that their air, land, and water is protected from pollution” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “We would not have accomplished this feat without the resources to hire staff and modernize technology that Governor Josh Shapiro and the legislature invested into DEP.”
Here’s what Pennsylvanians are reading about DEP’s accomplishment:
- Allegheny Conference: We applaud Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership and DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley’s focus on making Pennsylvania a place where businesses can get things done
- Times Leader: Pa. Department of Environmental Protection eliminates historic permit backlog
- The Progress News: DEP eliminates historic permit backlog
- PA Environmental Digest: DEP Eliminates 2,402 Permit Backlog, Reviewed And Acted On 30,430 Permits So Far In 2025
During the first nine months of 2025, DEP also reviewed and acted on 30,430 permit applications and conducted 88,799 inspections of regulated facilities to ensure compliance with environmental laws.
DEP is modernizing its permitting process by investing in new technology and reviewing processes to identify and eliminate bottlenecks. In January, DEP launched a Permit Tracker to allow applicants and residents to monitor the progress of permits as they move through the review process. Since 2023, DEP has also added 225 employees to carry out critical functions like public health and safety inspections and permit application reviews.
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