Consumers who get their electricity from coal-fired power plants are not paying the true cost of energy production in their monthly utility bills. Which of the following is true about utility bills for these consumers? A The bills do not include public health costs such as those associated with air pollution. B The bills do not include the cost of power distribution. C The bills do not include the cost of marketing electricity. D The bills include the cost of environmental damage associated with transporting coal. (D) E The bills include the cost of cleaning up acid mine damage. Mark for Review

## Step 1<br />The problem is about the cost of electricity production that consumers pay in their utility bills. The question asks us to identify which of the given options is true about the utility bills for consumers who get their electricity from coal-fired power plants.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Option A states that the bills do not include public health costs such as those associated with air pollution. This is true because the cost of public health issues, such as those caused by air pollution, is not included in the utility bills. These costs are often referred to as "externalities" and are not factored into the price of the product or service.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Options B, C, D, and E are not correct because they either include costs that are typically included in the utility bills or they are not directly related to the cost of electricity production.