What effect has the climate of eastern washington had on energy?

a. energy costs remain low because the climate is mild and relatively unchanging
b. extreme cold temperatures in the region requires more energy to heat homes
c. the rain shadow effect enables farmers to use less energy to cultivate crops
d. wind energy is converted to electric power

The correct answers are:

b. Extreme cold temperatures in the region requires more energy to heat homes;

d. Wind energy is converted to electric energy;

The eastern part of Washington is much different than the western part of the state, climate-vise speaking. The eastern part does not receive a lot of rain, and the reason for that are the Cascade Mountains which create the rain shadow effect. This makes this part of the state to be under a heavy influence of the continental air masses, and that leads to extremely cold temperatures in the winter, which in turn means much higher usage of energy for the heating of the homes.

Also, because this part of the state is on the leeward side of the Cascades, it has a lot of wind coming downwards from them. That wind has been used for the production of electric energy with the setting up of lot of windmills, which helps a lot with the increased demand for electricity.