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| Date: | March 8, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Sandra Whalen | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5238 | | Contact Email: | sandra.whalen@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATE APPROVES PHASE II OF ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING EFFICIENCY Author Ingebrigtsen says reform will help businesses put Minnesotans back to work faster |
(ST. PAUL) – The Minnesota Senate gave strong bipartisan support Thursday to Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen’s environmental review and permitting efficiency bill, SF 1567.
“This is another big step in streamlining permitting and creating a better business climate for jobs in our state,” Ingebrigtsen said. “This measure continues to streamline the permitting process, removes duplicate services, and reforms government so it moves at the ‘speed of 21st Century commerce.’”
Last session, the Legislature worked with the Governor to pass a law that would to streamline permit processing for new projects subject to approval by the Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Natural Resources. HF1 established a 150-day goal for commercial/industrial permit decisions. SF1567 is a next step, further streamlining the process and potentially clarifying points of contention that Minnesota businesses have identified.
The measure contains clarifying language from a provision passed last year that dealt with notification on whether permit applications are “substantially complete” and allows DNR permit holders who have a permit or have applied for a permit to continue to operate during a suspension of government services as long as they abide by all rules and regulations in the permit. It also amends the language for conservation rate structures in local water supply plans, changes the state disposal system (SDS) permits for feedlots from 5 to 10 years, and contains the 150-day goal clarifying language.
“We have already heard positive comments from the business community around the state about last year’s reforms,” Ingebrigtsen said. “Permitting reform cuts red tape and helps businesses invest in Minnesota and create jobs for Minnesotans.”
Ingebrigtsen has worked closely with Governor Mark Dayton, Department of Natural Resources commissioner Tom Landwehr, and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Paul Aasen to craft the bill as it progressed through Senate committees, and says he is encouraged that the Governor will support the final bill.
A similar bill has been approved by House committees and is awaiting a full House hearing.
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