DHEC continuing to improve Permitting Process

On June 26, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlighted the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) efforts to streamline the permitting process for the Boeing expansion in North Charleston as a national best practice. EPA specifically showcased DHEC permitting for the Boeing expansion as an example of how planning, collaboration, and innovation can be good for the environment, the community, and the economy. This recognition from the EPA affirms DHEC’s overall efforts at improving the permitting process. DHEC has been working to streamline its permitting over the past several years, and the Boeing expansion and the new Volvo plant are excellent examples of the agency’s integrated joint planning process that kept permitting schedules on target or faster. DHEC has reduced the average time it takes to issue South Carolina permits by about 40% since 2007. That yields an estimated economic impact between $72 million and $103 million each year for the state and shows that protective permitting can be done quickly and fit well within the community. The effort to streamline the permitting process isn’t aimed at just larger companies. No matter the size of your enterprise, DHEC will work to minimize the time it takes to get the necessary permits. Whether you’re starting the business of your dreams or are seeking to expand, you will likely have to get a permit from DHEC if that new enterprise or expansion could have an impact on the public health or the environment in South Carolina. DHEC knows permitting can be challenging, so they are working hard to serve you, to make permitting transparent, and to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible. DHEC believes permitting should be clear, timely, and responsive, so, it created Permit Central, launched by former Governor Nikki Haley in 2013. Permit Central is a service that helps our customers see the whole permitting picture up front, get help getting started, and jointly plan a permit target schedule. How do you engage Permit Central? It’s really up to you. You can go through the interactive questionnaire on our website at www.scdhec.gov/PermitCentral/PermitCentral/ and it will tell you the permits that you will likely need. The website is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and does not retain any of the information that you enter.