Critical Reasoning

For decades, public electrical utilities in Country Z have used revenues from commercial customers to fund programs that subsidize reduced-cost service for low-income families. A law in Country Z sets a maximum rate that electrical utilities may charge its commercial customers. Recently, rising fuel prices have brought the cost of providing electricity in Country Z to amounts at or above this maximum rate.

The information above provides the strongest support for which of the following conclusions?


(A) Commercial enterprises in Country Z have long had access to large amounts of electricity that Country Z's low-income families cannot afford.
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(B) In the past, private donors in Country Z have helped subsidize electrical service to low-income families, but such donations have recently declined.

(C) Even if fuel prices decrease, Country Z will likely increase the maximum electricity rate, thus generating greater revenues to subsidize discounted service to low-income families.

(D) Some families in Country Z are not classified as "low income" but nevertheless cannot afford to pay the maximum electricity rate.

(E) Unless Country Z's electrical utilities find a new source of income to subsidize reduced-cost services to low income families, they must either stop providing these services or experience losses.