Gov. M. Jodi Rell today signed into law a bill that aims to reform the state’s permitting process and expedite job creation by breaking through bureaucratic backlogs.
House Bill 5208, An Act Concerning Expedited Permitting for Economic Development, resulted from a task force Rell formed on the first day of the legislative session.
“This legislation will make Connecticut much more business friendly yet strikes a very important balance by safeguarding our environment,” Rell said. “We have worked too hard to protect our natural resources to lose ground just for the sake of speedy paperwork. Our natural treasures are a huge reason that Connecticut is a wonderful place to put down roots and raise a family.”
The legislation requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to examine all of its permitting processes and report to the governor on recommendations for reducing its time periods for permit reviews. DEP is required to make all reasonable efforts to review initial permit applications for problems within 60 days and make final determinations within 180 days.
The bill also creates an Office of Permit Ombudsman within the Department of Economic and Community Development to work with Connecticut companies seeking permits from the state departments of Environmental Protection, Public Health and Transportation.
The bill automatically extends any general permit beyond its original expiration date, provided DEP has already proposed a renewal of the permit.
Other provisions include:
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Eliminating unnecessary or duplicative public hearings, thereby reducing the time for businesses to obtain wastewater discharge and other permits from DEP.
- Requiring DEP to create a consulting services program within the department.
- Requiring DEP to adopt future revisions to water quality standards as regulations.
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