Given the Marylanders who would be hurt by it, I was dumbfounded by Gov. Larry Hogan's veto of the Clean Energy Jobs bill ("Hogan's vetoes," May 31).
The bill is both good energy policy and good economic policy.
Opponents of increasing green energy and phasing out fossil fuels shout that it will "hurt the economy." But tallying the cost of producing and burning fossil fuels, the economic potential of green technologies and projected costs of not limiting climate change refutes that idea. Moreover, most Maryland voters supported the measure even if it would add 50 cents to their utility bill.
Endangered by sea-level rise, Maryland understands climate change -- and benefits from the clean-energy jobs created to address it. More than 4,000 people are employed in the solar industry. Last year, Maryland ranked 11th in the nation in installed solar capacity.
Under the Renewal Portfolio Standard and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Maryland is on track to meet EPA requirements to decrease emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Those jobs, that progress and all their economic advantages are jeopardized by the governor's veto, which seems inexplicable unless motivated by partisan politics and ideological purity.
This shouldn't be a political issue. It's about doing one's part to have a livable climate. It will be more difficult for Maryland to do its part if the governor's veto is allowed to stand.
Carol Steinhart, Madison, Wis.