Different regions have different levels of access to energy resources. Kentucky, for example, is rich in coal deposits. Texas produces more
natural gas than any other state. Oregon has many accessible rivers. Regions that are lacking in large amounts of energy resources tend to
import resources from other regions. Quite often, the most cost-effective choice in such regions is nuclear energy.
The chart below shows the percentage of electric energy derived from different technologies in four different states.
State Coal Natural Gas Nuclear Hydro Other
Kentucky 95% <1% 0% 4% <1%
Texas 37% 49% 1% <1% <12%
Oregon 10% 24% 0% 63% 3%
New Hampshire 25% 1% 58% 7% 9%
Which of the following is the best explanation for the vast difference in energy resources used by different states?
O A
States usually choose energy sources based on their access to natural resources.
OB. States usually select nuclear energy because a large amount of energy can be produced from a small amount of fuel.
OC. States usually choose to use energy resources that must be imported from other regions.
OD. The choice of energy sources is normally based only on each source's environmental impact.