There is a naive nature to the thought the United States can shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy immediately or nearly immediately.

Another example of this naivete has presented itself in one of Pennsylvania’s neighbors, Maryland: Legislation sent to Gov. Larry Hogan to change an already ambitious goal for cutting carbon emissions in the state to a 60% reduction from 2006 levels by 2031.

Hogan, who has built a solid record as a reasonable, center-right governor, calls the change “reckless” and an energy tax. His spokesman told the Associated Press, “there could not be a worse time to raise energy prices for consumers and businesses, as this bill would do.”

We agree. We also are troubled by the obliviousness of Maryland legislators to the burden that today’s gasoline prices and heating bills are for Americans — especially working-class and middle-class Americans.

We support a shift to more renewable energy. But that shift has to be realistically gradual, recognize that further technological developments are necessary and include natural gas — an abundant resource in Pennsylvania and the U.S. that burns cleaner than coal and oil — as part of the transition.

Anything else is more unacceptable naivete and obliviousness.