The recent commentary by Mike Tidwell and Karla Raettig expressed such grief and anger ("Hogan's clean energy war," June 12). I sympathize. Marylanders elected a governor to serve them, and he's gutted environmental programs that the public wants. Massachusetts (predominantly a blue state) had a similar experience. In 2009, Sen. Ted Kennedy died, and out of the blue, Scott Brown was elected to take his seat.
Senator Brown voted against every emissions-reducing, EPA-supporting climate change action bill that came before him. His votes caused an unhappy public to become activists. He wasn't re-elected. After he subsequently moved to New Hampshire, Mr. Brown lost there, too. His reputation ran deeper than his backers' pockets.
Our current governor, Charlie Baker, another moderate Republican, supported a massive pipeline. Landowners, environmentalists and our Congressional delegation railed against it. Our attorney general commissioned a study concluding the pipeline was unnecessary. It's been canceled. Recently, residents complained to our senators about another pipeline and compressor station. Our senators protested to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission because FERC hired a contractor connected to fossil fuel companies to prepare the environmental review.
Here's what Massachusetts' unhappy experience teaches: Rely on your wonderful senators whose influence extends to local issues — and groom gubernatorial candidates.
A Children's Trust lawsuit claimed Massachusetts failed to write regulations guaranteeing emissions reductions and the plaintiffs won. Maryland should pursue a parallel suit.
Keep perspective. David Roberts of Vox reports that climate change will be won or lost in India. Bring grief to Gov. Larry Hogan's backers by sending India technology and resources.
India instituted carbon taxation in 2010, doubling the rate three times since. Help Citizens' Climate Lobby make a national carbon fee happen. Then the market will overrule your governor.
Rabbi Judy Weiss, Brookline, Mass.