Information in the passage suggests that which of the following changes would be most likely to accelerate u. s. progress along the soft-energy path? the price per barrel of imported oil rises from $25 to $50 within a few months. an improved design for nuclear power plants makes radioactive leakage virtually impossible. coal-burning plants install furnaces that eliminate the emission of air pollutants. domestic oil production increases to the point that the u. s. is no longer dependent on imported oil.