March 8 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The March 8 PA Environment Digest is now available. Click here to print this Digest.

DEP Secretary Hanger: Timely Permit Decisions Are More Difficult With Cuts

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger told the Senate Appropriations Committee this week his agency's ability to make timely permit decisions is getting more difficult because of the budget cuts made this fiscal year and expected for next year.
           Secretary Hanger said "these are not good times" for the agency, "we've been cut to the bone," but the "core functions" of the agency are being accomplished.  He said the cuts mean certain things will not get done.  He added even with the loss of 258 positions this fiscal year, enforcement and inspection functions were preserved in the agency.
            Secretary Hanger said if permit activity returns to its previous levels when the economy recovers, he is very concerned that cuts to staffing levels will mean timely permit decisions could not be made. Click here to read more...