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PERMITTING CHANGES WILL INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Release Date: 02/19/99
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FOR RELEASE: FEBRUARY 19, 1999
PERMITTING CHANGES WILL INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
EPA announced a new regulatory initiative on Feb. 16 to improve environmental permitting, one of the most critical elements of the environmental regulatory system, as part of the Clinton-Gore Administration efforts to make environmental and public health protection programs work more efficiently and effectively. Over 92,000 single media permits presently exist under Federal environmental laws. Permits are issued by the states when delegated federal permitting authority, or by EPA, to control pollution and other environmental risks. Under the new plan, the Agency will be working on permitting changes that increase environmental results and meet various needs of regulated facilities and other interested stakeholders. The plan will focus on improvements in five areas: creating performance-based features that specify goals without prescribing how they must be met; encouraging pollution prevention and other approaches that reduce environmental risks beyond the level required; improving public participation in permitting decisions; reducing administrative paperwork; and exploring the benefits that may be gained from integrating permitting activities within air, water and other environmental programs.
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