Article 1 Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution (Green Amendment)
- Policy Category: Drinking Water
- State: Pennsylvania
- Date Implemented: 1971
1971
An amendment in 1971 to the Constitution of Pennsylvania created what is known as a “Green Amendment.” It reads in full, “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people. (May 18, 1971, P.L.769, J.R.3) Joint Resolution No.3 added section 27.
- Action Agency(ies): The commonwealth
- Policy Champions: Current Green Amendment advocate organization: Green Amendments For the Generations
- Read the full policy language
