[Well Seasoned Fool] Short answer; to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority.The climate change boondoggle is an example of the population centers, using their majority, to fuck over the rural areas. Coal is an example. Only the Electoral College prevents this happening in politics.
Please indulge me as I try to draw parallels.
Northwest Colorado, along the Yampa River, has coal deposits in the thousands of feet deep. Much is near the surface allowing for easy, relative inexpensive, strip mining. This has led to the construction of two large electrical generating plants. The resulting jobs have allowed three generations to form families and raise children in relative comfort. Many are my relatives including, for a time, my late father.
The efficiency of the power plants is high and their contribution to pollution extremely low. For decades Colorado has required strip mines to reclaim the mines after they are closed. People passing through the area will be hard pressed to identify areas that have been mined.
Now under the pressure of the eco freaks the mines and power plants will be closing. The economic impact will create a huge depression for the area.
The Congressman representing that area summed it up well, IMO.
https://www.craigdailypress.com/news/congressman-scott-tipton-not-much-for-craig-to-celebrate-in-denver-controlled-energy-requirements/
This isn’t just a Colorado problem but is occurring all over the country. Wyoming around Gillette and West Virginia come to mind.
And the tyranny of the majority? In Colorado the four most populous counties are home to the governor, and every other state office except one, at that one is arguable. He didn’t receive a majority in his home county.
The ripples spread. The Union Pacific railroad, a major coal hauler, forecasts cutting 1,000 jobs and closing various operation centers. The BNSF is facing the same obstacles.
People may say, "so what?" Well snowflake, since much of what you consume arrives by rail, and transportation costs are passed along, your living costs will go up. And your light bill? Prepare for sticker shock.