Environmental Quality Board

Public participation is encouraged during the regulatory process. Interested persons can submit written comments on a proposed regulation using our online comment system or by postal mail. For some proposed rulemakings, public hearings are also held where testimony can be provided. See below for more details.

To view regulations open for comment, please visit eComment and click the Regulations radio button.

There are three convenient methods for submitting comments to the EQB. In addition to comments, a one-page summary of comments can be provided:

Comments, including a one page summary, may be submitted to the EQB by accessing eComment.

Note regarding eComment: If an acknowledgement of comments submitted online is not received by the sender within two business days, the comments should be re-sent to the EQB to ensure receipt.

Comments, including a one page summary, may be submitted to the EQB by sending comments to RegComments@pa.gov. A subject heading of the proposed rulemaking and a name and address must be included with each transmission.

Note regarding emailed comments: If an acknowledgement of comments submitted via email is not received by the sender within two business days, the comments should be re-sent to the EQB to ensure receipt.

Written comments and summaries can also be mailed to Environmental Quality Board, P.O. Box 8477, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8477.

All comments must be received by the EQB on or before the close of the public comment period.

For some proposed regulations, public hearings will be held. Public hearings provide individuals with an opportunity to give verbal testimony regarding a proposed regulation. All relevant written and oral comments that are received at a public hearing will be considered when finalizing a regulation.

Interested persons wishing to provide testimony at a hearing are requested to contact the EQB at least one week in advance of the hearing to reserve a time. The EQB can be contacted by calling 717-787-4526 to reserve time to testify. Witnesses are typically limited to ten minutes of testimony and are requested to submit three written copies of their testimony to the hearing chairperson at the hearing. Organizations are limited to designating one witness to present testimony on their behalf at each hearing.

Individuals in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the EQB to discuss their needs at 717-787-4526 or make accommodations through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 800-654-5984 (TDD) or 800-654-5988 (voice users).

DEP reviews all comments and drafts a formal comment and response document. The comment and response document then becomes part of the package for the final regulation. The one-page summaries and the formal comment and response document will be distributed to the EQB and available publicly prior to the EQB meeting when the final rulemaking will be considered.

To view public comments submitted to the EQB, please visit the Independent Regulatory Review Commission's Regulations Search page. Using the Agency Name search field, select Environmental Quality Board.

DEP Regulatory Update (PDF)

Regulatory Agenda - Commonwealth Agencies under the Governor's Jurisdiction