Pennsylvania Supreme Court Enforces and Renews Environmental Rights Amendment

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled on June 20, 2017 that Pennsylvania’s Environmental Rights Amendment is a self-effectuating provision of the Constitution that must be adhered to by all levels of government. The court also held that the ERA creates an automatic right for individuals to seek enforcement against governmental action that harms the environment. This report suggests the four biggest takeaways from the recent decision and poses some questions left unanswered by the court.