Refunds Force Faster Permits

A simple administrative rule—publish firm review timelines and refund applicants if agencies miss them—can create credible incentives that collapse permitting backlogs and speed project approvals dramatically. Pennsylvania’s 'PAyback' program reports average processing falling from two weeks to one day and elimination of a longstanding permit backlog with only five refunds paid since 2023. — If generalizable, refundable‑deadline policies could be a low‑cost lever to accelerate construction, energy projects, and licensing while improving state regulatory credibility.