DEP Works Thru Pandemic: 638 More Permits, 1,680 More Inspections Since Last Week

From March 16 to June 9, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

-- Conducted 16,569 inspections - 1,680 more than last week;

-- Processed 7,303 permit applications and authorizations - 638 more than last week;

-- Processed 94 percent of Permit Decision Guarantee applications and authorizations; and

-- Responded to 77 environmental emergencies, three more than last week.

DEP has also developed a process for companies to request suspension of regulatory or permit condition requirements to provide life-sustaining activities.

To date, DEP has granted requests to suspend a regulatory or permit condition to 37 entities so they may continue operating during the pandemic, two more than since last week.

DEP is prioritizing field inspections that are critical to public health and safety. DEP staff are working remotely, and responding to complaints related to issues critical to public health and safety.

DEP will continue to respond in the field to environmental emergencies that present an immediate threat to public health and safety.

To report environmental emergencies, please call 1-800-541-2050.

Visit DEP’s Alert webpage for more information and updates.

Feedback Form

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting the public, businesses and local governments to rate their experience with the agency during the pandemic shutdown.

An online feedback form posted on its website allows users to rank their experience in five steps from very positive to very negative.

It also allows users to fill in written comments and identify what county they are from.

Click Here to fill out the online form.

[Posted: June 9, 2020] PA Environment Digest