EPD Meeting On Expedited Environmental Permits

ATLANTA (AP) – Environmental regulators in Georgia are holding another meeting on how to speed up the issuance of environmental permits. A law passed this year requires the Environmental Protection Division to create a process to expedite permits for entities willing to pay a special fee.

The system takes effect July 1. Sen. Ross Tolleson, the bill sponsor, has said the measure will help alleviate a backlog. To speed up the process, the review of permits could be conducted by outside firms. Some environmental watchdog groups fear that will lead to conflicts of interests. The EPD’s air protection branch plans to hold a meeting Tuesday on how to implement the law. The workshop is free, but registration is required.