EXECUTIVE ORDER #18

WHEREAS, efficient, predictable, and transparent permitting processes are essential to accelerate the timely delivery of critical infrastructure projects that support housing, transportation, broadband, water and wastewater systems, energy infrastructure, and economic growth throughout the State of Delaware, and excessive delays in permitting can increase costs, deter investment, and hinder job creation; and

WHEREAS, Delaware’s current permitting processes have in some cases taken up to 18–24 months or longer to reach final determinations, creating barriers to housing supply and economic development and placing the State at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring states that have more streamlined review processes, contributing to higher costs and slower project delivery; and

WHEREAS, inefficient and protracted regulatory review timelines for infrastructure projects are widely recognized to contribute to uncertainty, cost overruns, investor hesitancy, and delays in delivering economic and social benefits to communities, particularly in underserved and rural areas, and to limit access to critical services such as affordable housing, reliable broadband, resilient water systems, and modern energy infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, streamlined and coordinated permitting practices have been identified as best practices in public administration and regulatory reform to reduce administrative burdens, improve interagency coordination, and enhance the State’s ability to respond to community needs while preserving statutory requirements for environmental protections, public health, and safety, consistent with the State’s statutory and constitutional authorities; and

WHEREAS, housing affordability remains a pressing challenge in Delaware, with high housing costs outpacing incomes for many residents and contributing to rent burdens and constrained access to stable, quality homes, and efficient permitting and licensing is critical to expanding housing supply and lowering costs for Delaware families; and

WHEREAS, modern infrastructure—especially broadband access—is foundational to economic opportunity, workforce participation, education, healthcare access, and community development, and delays in broadband deployment perpetuate digital inequities that disadvantage households, businesses, and communities; and

WHEREAS, investment in resilient water, wastewater, transportation, and energy systems safeguards public health, supports economic growth, and enhances community sustainability and environmental resilience, all of which depend on predictable and efficient state review and approval processes; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State of Delaware to ensure that permitting and administrative processes are transparent, equitable, and aligned with statutory requirements while eliminating unnecessary procedural impediments that do not advance statutory objectives or protect public health, safety, and environmental quality; and

WHEREAS, nothing in this Order is intended to expand the statutory authority of any agency, to waive or diminish substantive environmental and public health protections, or to alter existing statutory procedures, timelines, or public participation requirements established by the General Assembly or applicable federal law.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATTHEW MEYER, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby DECLARE and ORDER that:

1. The following Delaware Permitting Accelerator is hereby implemented in accordance with the terms therein.
2. If any provision of the Delaware Permitting Accelerator is found to be in conflict with state or federal law or to exceed the Governor’s authority, that provision shall be severed and shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Order.
3. To the extent the Delaware Permitting Accelerator conflicts with prior executive orders, guidance documents, or policies from the named agencies, the provisions of this Order shall govern.
4. This Order shall be effective immediately upon signature and shall remain in effect unless amended or rescinded by subsequent executive order.