ST. PAUL — DFL Gov. Mark Dayton signed an executive order Jan. 24 aimed at speeding up the environmental permitting process in the state.
The order requires both the Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Natural Resources to decide within 150 days whether to issue an environmental or natural resources permit. Right now, the PCA averages 180 days.
The order also requires the commissioners to set a goal for their agencies to decide within 30 days after an environmental impact statement is finally approved whether to issue the permit. The PCA commissioner also must report to the governor within 60 days any recommendations for making state rules more consistent with federal regulations so that, under certain conditions, construction could begin before a water discharge permit is issued.
The PCA's commissioner would also be required to explain the logic behind any air quality or hazardous waste or water quality standards that are more stringent than the federal standards. Dayton said he believes these changes can be made without hurting the environment.
"I've viewed this as an opportunity to support both sound economic growth and create additional jobs and protect the environment," he said.
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The executive order implements several proposals in bills introduced by the Republican-led Legislature. Senate Deputy Majority Leader Geoff Michel, R-Edina, said the executive order is a good first step but that Republicans want to see these changes made permanent by getting legislation passed. They also want to do more to streamline the permitting process.
"I take it as a good sign that this is one of the areas in the legislative session we can be bipartisan on," Michel said.
