Delta products, Inc., has recently switched at least partly from older technologies using fossil fuels to new technologies powered by electricity. The question has been raised whether it can be concluded that for a given level of output, Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly. The answer, clearly, is yes, since the amount of fossil fuel used to generate the electricity needed to power the new technologies is less than the amount needed to power the older technologies, provided that the level of output is held constant.

In the argument given, the two boldface portions play which of the following roles?

• AThe first identifies the content of the conclusion of the argument; the second provides support for that conclusion  
• BThe first provides support for the conclusion of the argument; the second identifies the content of that conclusion  
• CThe first states the position that the argument opposes; the second states the conclusion of the argument  
• DEach provides evidence that calls the conclusion of the argument into question  
• EEach provides support for the conclusion of the argument