EPA Proposal Seeks to Speed Up Permit Dispute Process (1)

The EPA wants to speed up permit disputes that go before its Environmental Appeals Board, according to a proposed rule set to be published Dec. 3.

The proposed changes align with the Trump administration’s effort to speed up environmental permitting, which the administration says will boost economic growth. Under the new protocol, political officials from the Environmental Protection Agency could make binding decisions on issues pending before the in-house appeals board.

The proposal would allow parties to challenge an EPA permit either through alternative dispute resolution or in a hearing before the Environmental Appeals Board. If the parties ...