DEP Eliminates Longstanding Permitting Backlog In 2025, Launches New Bureau of Permitting Coordination

On January 27, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it had reviewed and acted on more than 40,000 permit applications and conducted more than 116,000 inspections of regulated facilities in 2025, capping a historic year for permitting efficiency and reform. 

In 2025, DEP also successfully eliminated the longstanding permit application backlog, reducing a list of more than 2,400 permits in November 2023 to zero by October 2025. 

As of the end of January 2026, the historic permit backlog remains at 0.

“The past year was huge for DEP’s permit efficiency efforts, including launching the brand new Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program, eliminating the historic permit backlog, and reviewing and acting on more than 40,000 permits,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “DEP will continue to build on this momentum going into 2026 as we launch a new Bureau of Permitting Coordination and add new permit types to the SPEED program. We also conducted more than 116,000 inspections last year to ensure that Pennsylvanians’ environment is safe.”

The new Bureau of Permitting Coordination will include two new divisions, the Major Projects Permitting Division [formerly known as the Regional Permit Coordination Office] and the SPEED Division. 

The Major Projects Permitting Division will review permit applications for large scale projects, including pipelines and electric transmission lines, that can cross multiple counties and DEP regions. 

The SPEED Division will focus on applications submitted through the SPEED program, which launched in June and applies to certain permits including some Air Quality Plan Approvals (Chapter 127), earth disturbance (Chapter 102), dam safety (Chapter 105), and individual water obstruction and encroachment (Chapter 105) permits. 

The first SPEED permit application was approved in November, 2025, for a new housing development in York, Pa. 

From the date the application was submitted to the date it was approved, DEP was able to review the permit in 51 days, which included the mandatory 30 calendar-day period for public comment – less than half of the time allotted for review of Chapter 102 Stormwater Management permits under the PAyback Program.

DEP received 39,444 permit applications in calendar year 2025 and took action on 40,450 applications. 

This included completely eliminating the backlog of 2,402 permit applications that existed in November 2023, when Governor Shapiro’s PAyback program launched. 

With more than 485,000 PAyBack eligible permits reviewed by DEP since the program launched in 2022, DEP has never missed a deadline under the program.

Visit DEP’s Permit Modernization webpage to learn more.

Inspections

DEP staff conducted 116,364 inspections of regulated facilities in 2025. DEP inspections include both scheduled and unscheduled on-site visits to permitted facilities, as well as document reviews to verify compliance with environmental laws and regulations. 

[Note: More than 52,642 of these inspections were related to shale gas and conventional oil and gas wells in DEP’s Oil and Gas Program.]

The inspections – whether on-site or operational – ensure air emissions stay within air quality standards, drinking water remains safe, and rivers and streams are protected from pollution.

Grants

DEP awarded more than $90 million in grants in 2025. 

These grants went to programs to promote and maintain local recycling programs, restore local waterways, teach kids and adults about environmental education, and repair and reclaim abandoned mine lands. 

Visit DEP’s Grants, Loans And Rebates webpage for more information.

Emergency Response

In 2025, DEP’s Emergency Response Team responded to 283 environmental emergencies, providing on-scene coordination and follow-up from staff to assess and implement necessary cleanup measures. 

These emergencies can range from spilled fuel from traffic accidents to emergency reclamation contracts to fix mine subsidence.  

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

Visit DEP’s Report Incidents and Complaints webpage for more information.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

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-- DCNR 2026 Annual Report: Halfway To 60 Has Never Looked Better

[Posted: January 27, 2026]  PA Environment Digest