DEP Continues To 'Get Stuff Done' At The Speed Of Business, 2 More Permits Issued Under SPEED - Streamlining Permits For Economic Expansion And Development - Program

On June 26, the Department of Environmental Protection announced two more permits were issued under the SPEED - Streamlining Permits For Economic Expansion And Development--  Program.

One for an Individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Discharge of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities to jumpstart a 280-unit, multi-family apartment complex in a fast-growing area of the Poconos. 

The other is an Air Quality permit to allow construction and operation of a new facility in Lehigh County creating jobs and improving economic development.

“These permits will help provide much needed housing in the Poconos and create jobs in the Lehigh Valley, without sacrificing environmental protections,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “Both permits will benefit the local economy and a safer environment.”

The NPDES SPEED approval for the six-building complex in Pocono Township, Monroe County, began when the application was submitted. DEP reviewed the permit in 24 business days, out of an allowable review timeline of 117 business days. 

This demonstrates a significant saving of 93 “on clock” days. Completing the review efficiently aligns with Governor Josh Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan, which aims to increase the number of homes in Pennsylvania and lower housing costs.  

The Air Quality SPEED approval authorizes Republic Polymer III to construct and operate a new facility in Allentown, Lehigh County. 

The facility will convert post-consumer polymer materials into high-quality recycled resins suitable for reuse in consumer packaging. 

This permit application was received on March 20, 2026, and the review was complete in 83 “on clock” days which compared to the average review time of 150 “on clock “days.

DEP launched the SPEED program in June 2025 for Chapter 102 Stormwater Management permits and has expanded the program to include permits for certain Air Quality plan approvals, dam safety and individual water obstruction and encroachment permits.

Visit DEP’s Streamlining Permits For Economic Expansion And Development webpage to learn more.

Visit DEP’s Permit Modernization webpage to learn more about across-the-board improvements to DEP permitting programs.

Click Here for DEP’s announcement.

Josh Neyhart, from DEP's Policy Office, told the Citizens Advisory Council this week that a total of 10 permits have been issued under the SPEED Program and 24 applications have Gond through the program.

Newhart added 261 individual qualified professional consultants have been approved to review applications under the program.

DEP reviews more than 45,000 permit applications a year.

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.

[Posted: June 27, 2026]  PA Environment Digest