[单项选择]Renewable energy sources can be replenished in a short period of time. The five renewable sources used most often include hydropower (water), solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. Renewable energy’s impact on the world’s energy picture is significant. Many important events have occurred during the history of using renewable sources to generate electricity--but the overall consumption from renewable energy sources has declined by about 15 percent from their I996 peak to about 6 quads in 2005.
The use of renewable energy is not new. Five generations (125 years) ago, wood supplied up to 90 percent of our energy needs. Due to the convenience and low prices of fossil fuels, wood use has fallen. Now, the biomass which would normally present a disposal problem is converted into electricity (e.g., manufacturing wastes, rice hulls, and black liquor from paper production).
Historically, low fossil fuel prices, especially for natural gas, have made growth difficult for renewable fuels.
A. increasing
B. decreasing
C. irregular
D. not mentioned