Read the argument below regarding energy infrastructure and match each statement from the text to its corresponding logical role within the argument.
Argument:
Although utility companies contend that investing in municipal microgrids will fragment national energy markets and raise consumer rates, recent empirical data from regional pilots show that decentralized solar-plus-storage systems significantly reduce peak-demand spikes. Lowering peak-demand strain directly reduces the need for expensive fossil-fuel peaking plants. Consequently, municipal microgrid expansion actually enhances overall grid resilience and long-term cost stability. Therefore, federal energy regulators should mandate municipal microgrid integration standards immediately, despite short-term transition costs for legacy utilities.
Match each statement on the left with its precise logical role on the right.
- Federal energy regulators should mandate municipal microgrid integration standards immediately.Main Conclusion (the ultimate prescriptive claim the author seeks to establish)
- Municipal microgrid expansion actually enhances overall grid resilience and long-term cost stability.Intermediate Conclusion (a claim supported by empirical premises that directly substantiates the final recommendation)
- Decentralized solar-plus-storage systems significantly reduce peak-demand spikes.Supporting Premise (empirical evidence directly provided to ground a subsidiary inference)
- Investing in municipal microgrids will fragment national energy markets and raise consumer rates.Counterargument (an opposing claim introduced by the author as context to be rebutted)