Summary
In 2012, Ferguson, Pennsylvania adopted a community bill of rights banning the extraction of natural gas. The ordinance recognizes the residents’ right to pure water, clean air, peaceful enjoyment of home, a sustainable energy future, and self-government. The ordinance also recognized rights of nature, securing natural communities and ecosystems’ rights to pure water, clean air, and to exist and flourish within the township. Corporations that violate the prohibition against natural gas extraction do not have the rights of “persons” afforded by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions.
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2026. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/ferguson-township-community-bill-of-rights/.
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