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Committee approves amendment to allow electronic permitting notices and opt‑in email lists
Summary
SB99, handled at the hearing by DEQ deputy secretary Nathan McBride, was amended and reported favorably to allow DEQ to accept electronic permit applications and to use email/electronic notifications (on an opt‑in basis) where statutes previously required paper notices.
Nathan McBride, deputy secretary at the Department of Environmental Quality, told the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality that SB99 is intended to speed a multi‑year effort to modernize permitting by reducing paper in the application and public‑notice process.
"A key part of this is taking paper out of the permitting process to allow people to make electronic permit applications," McBride said, adding that some statutory requirements currently mandate paper applications or mailed notifications.
Mr. Wilson explained Amendment 1076, which "adds email or electronic notification as an acceptable means of written notice in certain conditions where DEQ is required to give public notice or give written notice." Senator Price moved to adopt the amendment; it was adopted without objection.
Senator Connick asked how the change would affect notification for local matters (for example, a landfill expansion). Teresa Delafoss, identified as undersecretary, and Tanya Landry, described in the record as "over our permanent support division," said that email notifications would be opt‑in for people who sign up, and that DEQ would continue to provide hard‑copy notices for those who request them. Landry said public hearings would still be held where required by regulation or requested by the public.
Industry support was noted on green cards from Emil Cardero (SWPCO), Ty Beauforting (Louisiana Mid‑Continent Oil and Gas Association) and Patrick Riley (Louisiana Chemical Association). The committee reported SB99 favorably with amendments by voice vote; the amendment and the bill were advanced without a roll‑call vote recorded in the transcript.
