Environmental Policy Speech: Critics of the new Clean Energy Bill argue that it will lead to higher energy costs due to the implementation of expensive renewable energy technologies. However, since the bill was passed, not only has the number of renewable energy projects increased significantly, but the average cost of electricity from these sources has been lower than the national average cost of electricity every year. Thus, it is clear that the Clean Energy Bill has been effective in not only increasing renewable energy usage but also in reducing electricity costs for consumers.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument in the policy speech?
(A) The cost of setting up renewable energy projects has decreased globally due to technological advancements over the last five years.
- This option speaks about implementation cost, but the conclusion is about cost to consumers. Hence out of scope
(B) Electricity costs were rising at a rate above the national average in the years immediately before the Clean Energy Bill was implemented.
- Eventually it says that costs rose before clean energy implementation hence the implementation seems cost effective relatively. This is in turn weakening the argument
(C) Some of the renewable energy projects started under the Clean Energy Bill have been discontinued due to technological inefficiencies.
- Doesn't make a difference
(D) The average cost of electricity generated from conventional (non-renewable) sources has remained consistently higher than the national average during the same period.
- Cost of generation is highlighted. We need to see if cost to consumers are affected.
(E) The price of electricity in areas outside the influence of the Clean Energy Bill has risen due to increased costs of non-renewable energy resources.
- Here it says price has increased due to higher cost. Hence it indicates that clean energy has saved money of consumers. This is correct.
Option E