Critics: Consulting firm calling shots on state climate report

By PAMELA WOOD, Staff Writer

Published 01/28/08

More than 100 people are at work on the final draft report of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change.

Though a small but vocal group of conservative activists charges that the input of all those people isn't affecting much. Rather, they say a consulting firm, the Center for Climate Strategies, is calling the shots and pushing Maryland to adopt a plan that's a carbon-copy of plans passed by other states.

Meanwhile, officials with the state and the center are quick to defend the work as being timely and crucially important.

"We decided to work with them because they have staff with a lot of expertise on these issues,"...

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Transparency is lacking - 2008-02-01 12:31:56

I assure you that there are many more people than "a small group of conservative activists" who are concerned about possible sub rosa activities by environmentalists whose work is not made public and whose credentials are questionable. It isn't clear what "conservative" -- mentioned prominently at the beginning of your article -- means or has to do with this matter. Are you aware that legitimate requests concerning interaction between the Center for Climate Strategies and the state have been denied and blurred for approximately six months? Businesses, and indeed every Maryland citizen, have both a right and obligation to learn of the potential tax and regulatory implications of commissions guided by outsiders whose conclusions may be foreordained and specious. ... Roc Worcester - President, Maryland Business for Responsive Government (MBRG)

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Roc Worcester - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Bad