Duplicate Question
The question on this page has been marked as a duplicate question.
Original Question
olar Power adapted from National Park Service In recent years, there has been a significant push to create industrial-scale sol...Question
Solar Power
adapted from National Park Service
In recent years, there has been a significant push to create industrial-scale solar developments in the deserts of the Southwest. Abundant sunlight, large areas of relatively flat land, and vast public acreage make six southwestern states (California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico) prime locations to generate clean solar energy. To guide future solar development, the Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has developed what is known as a "programmatic environmental impact statement" (PEIS). This is basically a guiding document for where developers can build these solar arrays. It also includes a few alternative management strategies. The favorite alternative for BLM seems to be the one that encourages development in designated solar energy zones, but also leaves an additional 19 million acres of BLM land open for solar development (these lands are known as "variance" lands).
However, solar development on some of these variance lands might lead to significant resource concerns for some of the national park units in this region. The National Parks Conservation Association believes that lands that surround and flank our national parks are not suitable for industrial-scale solar development. These developments would fragment habitat, obstruct wildlife movement, threaten rare and endangered species, and ruin scenic views. This could potentially reduce the economic value and resource values associated with our most treasured places. Other excellent alternatives exist: using brownfields and other disturbed public lands, continuing to develop rooftop solar resources on the existing built environment, and supporting projects of all sizes on suitable private lands.
Solar energy is an important component in our national energy portfolio. But many public lands are simply unacceptable places to build solar energy facilities due to the damaging costs to our national parks. The Department of Interior has been entrusted with the responsibility of guarding our most sensitive lands, waters, and species for future generations. It needs to make the care of these protected lands its top priority.
10
Which argument is best supported by details in the passage?
A.
The Department of Interior needs to recognize the importance of renewable energy.
B.
Protecting national parks should be prioritized above renewable energy development.
C.
Solar developments will pave the way for the nation's growth.
D.
Resources from national parks will disappear with the emergence of new energy developments.
adapted from National Park Service
In recent years, there has been a significant push to create industrial-scale solar developments in the deserts of the Southwest. Abundant sunlight, large areas of relatively flat land, and vast public acreage make six southwestern states (California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico) prime locations to generate clean solar energy. To guide future solar development, the Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has developed what is known as a "programmatic environmental impact statement" (PEIS). This is basically a guiding document for where developers can build these solar arrays. It also includes a few alternative management strategies. The favorite alternative for BLM seems to be the one that encourages development in designated solar energy zones, but also leaves an additional 19 million acres of BLM land open for solar development (these lands are known as "variance" lands).
However, solar development on some of these variance lands might lead to significant resource concerns for some of the national park units in this region. The National Parks Conservation Association believes that lands that surround and flank our national parks are not suitable for industrial-scale solar development. These developments would fragment habitat, obstruct wildlife movement, threaten rare and endangered species, and ruin scenic views. This could potentially reduce the economic value and resource values associated with our most treasured places. Other excellent alternatives exist: using brownfields and other disturbed public lands, continuing to develop rooftop solar resources on the existing built environment, and supporting projects of all sizes on suitable private lands.
Solar energy is an important component in our national energy portfolio. But many public lands are simply unacceptable places to build solar energy facilities due to the damaging costs to our national parks. The Department of Interior has been entrusted with the responsibility of guarding our most sensitive lands, waters, and species for future generations. It needs to make the care of these protected lands its top priority.
10
Which argument is best supported by details in the passage?
A.
The Department of Interior needs to recognize the importance of renewable energy.
B.
Protecting national parks should be prioritized above renewable energy development.
C.
Solar developments will pave the way for the nation's growth.
D.
Resources from national parks will disappear with the emergence of new energy developments.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The argument best supported by details in the passage is:
**B. Protecting national parks should be prioritized above renewable energy development.**
The passage emphasizes the potential negative impacts of solar development on national parks, such as habitat fragmentation, obstruction of wildlife movement, and threats to rare species. It advocates for the importance of protecting sensitive lands, waters, and species, which aligns with the idea that protecting national parks should take precedence over renewable energy development.
**B. Protecting national parks should be prioritized above renewable energy development.**
The passage emphasizes the potential negative impacts of solar development on national parks, such as habitat fragmentation, obstruction of wildlife movement, and threats to rare species. It advocates for the importance of protecting sensitive lands, waters, and species, which aligns with the idea that protecting national parks should take precedence over renewable energy development.