As has been all too apparent in recent days at Balcombe, few issues cause greater concern than energy policy. Many village communities feel their countryside is being ruined by the power-producing machines of wind farms; yet they never take "direct action", even though the planning laws put them at a severe disadvantage. And the generous subsidies (财政补贴) , which encourage the expansion of wind power, are not favorable to the village communities and set landowners in conflict with other residents (居民) .
Those who disagree with the rapid expansion of wind farms state that the damage they cause is out of proportion(比例) to the benefits they bring, because their energy output cannot match that of the carbon-based power stations they are supposed to replace. Supporters insist that wind must be part of a mix of renewables, nuclear and carbon, and that the country is committed to meeting EU ( European Union) targets for non-carbon energy generation.
Against this background, the fact that there is an argument within the Government over whether to publish an official report on wind farms' impact on the countryside becomes even more extraordinary. The two parties in the coalition (联合) government are in disagreement over what it should say.
We have some advice for the two parties: publish the report, and let the country be the judge. Even if it contains evidence that wind farms are harmful, it will hardly be a pleasant surprise to people who do not like them. Equally, supporters must argue their case by acknowledging the concerns and explaining why they are either misplaced or worthy of much attention.
The suggestion that further negotiations are to take place to produce an "acceptable" report suggests that the politics of coalition government are doing the country harm in a certain way. Given the sensitivities involved, all the information should be available so that people can reach their own conclusions, rather than being left with the suspicion（猜疑）that facts are being replaced by political beliefs.
小题1:We can learn from the first paragraph that__________.
A．energy policy catches much attention of the public
B．the residents are in favor of the expansion of wind farms
C．many village communities are satisfied with the subsidies
D．the planning laws offer great benefits to the residents小题2:Supporters think that the expansion of wind power____.
A．is more rapid than that of carbon-based power
B．guarantees an increase in energy output
C．is expected to be much better than that of nuclear power
D．agrees with EU targets for non-carbon energy generation小题3:It can be inferred from the passage that____.
A．an official report will settle the energy problem
B．the two parties are divided over the issue of wind farms
C．the two parties have agreed on a further negotiation
D．political beliefs concerning energy issue go against facts小题4:Which of the following reflects the author's opinion?
A．Increase political impact on energy policy.
B．Release a statement of supporters on wind farms.
C．Let the nation judge the facts about wind power.
D．Leave the two parties to reach their own conclusions.
