Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation v. Commonwealth
Pennsylvania Supreme Court
161 A.3d 911, 640 Pa. 55 (2017)

- Written by Deanna Curl, JD
Facts
In 2009, Pennsylvania enacted Sections 1602-E and 1603-E of the Fiscal Code. These statutory provisions granted the general assembly authority over money derived from oil and gas leases in state forests and parks and redirected lease funds to the state’s general fund without requiring the money be used for conservation purposes. The Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation (the foundation) (plaintiff) filed a declaratory action against the state (defendant), alleging that the statutory provisions violated the environmental-rights amendment of the Pennsylvania Constitution. The trial court upheld the statutory provisions, and the foundation appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Donohue, J.)
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