9. Conclusions

9.1. CEQA Findings of Facts

Based upon the EIR, we have prepared a set of CEQA Findings of Fact (CEQA Findings) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15091 regarding the significant impact associated with the authorized alternative.

We find that the CEQA Findings accurately reflect the independent analysis contained in the EIR and are supported by substantial evidence in the administrative record. We adopt them as Findings of Fact in this decision and incorporate them by reference herein.

9.2. Authorization of the Environmentally
Superior Alternative

If the Commission selects an alternative other than the environmentally superior alternative identified in the EIR, the Commission must find that an environmentally superior alternative is infeasible. (Public Res. Code § 21081(a)(3).) In this case, the Commission authorizes the Environmentally Superior Alternative. Therefore, the Commission is not required to consider the feasibility of the other alternatives.

Based on the considerations above, we authorize SCE to construct the Environmentally Superior Alternative as set forth in the EIR.

9.3. Statement of Overriding Considerations

As explained above, the authorized Environmentally Superior Alternative will have significant environmental impacts that cannot be mitigated. Therefore, the Commission must provide a statement of the overriding considerations that supports approval of this Application pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15093.

The Commission recognizes that significant and unavoidable environmental impacts will result from construction and operation of the Environmentally Superior Alternative. Having: (1) adopted all feasible mitigation measures; (2) recognized all significant, unavoidable impacts; and (3) balanced the benefits of the Environmentally Superior Alternative against its significant and unavoidable impacts, the Commission hereby finds that the benefits of the project outweigh and override the significant unavoidable impacts for the reasons stated below.

The Environmentally Superior Alternative will provide substantial benefits, including but not limited to facilitating California's policy goals of maintaining electrical system reliability at the lowest environmental cost as well as provide the benefits of the project's objectives set forth above.

The Commission finds that the Environmentally Superior Alternative's unavoidable impacts are acceptable in light of these substantial benefits, which constitute an overriding consideration warranting approval of the project.

9.4. Mitigation Monitoring

The Final EIR includes a proposed Mitigation Monitoring, Reporting, and Compliance Program (EIR, Appendix E.) for the mitigation measures it recommends for the Proposed Project. The tables are presented in the Final EIR. These tables, along with the full text of mitigation measures applicable to the Environmentally Superior Alternative, form the Mitigation Monitoring, Reporting, and Compliance Program. The program is designed to ensure compliance with the changes in the project and mitigation measures imposed on the authorized project during implementation. It also recommends a framework for implementation of the Mitigation Monitoring, Reporting, and Compliance Program Plan by this Commission as the CEQA Lead Agency. We adopt the Mitigation Monitoring, Reporting, and Compliance Program Plan.