9. Statement of Overriding Considerations

The environmentally superior alternative would have one significant and unmitigable impact on views along Highway 97, a designated National Scenic Byway, designated County Scenic Highway, and an Eligible State Scenic Highway. We have determined, pursuant to Section 15093 of the State of California CEQA Guidelines, that the benefits of the project outweigh the adverse impacts and that the project should be approved. The Commission specifically finds that there are specific social, economic and other reasons for approving this project, and that there is substantial evidence in the record to determine that the benefits of the project outweigh the adverse impacts and that the project should be approved. Pursuant to this finding, the Commission is adopting and certifies this Statement of Overriding Considerations.

The specific social, economic and other reasons for approving this project, which override the unavoidable visual impact along Highway 97 are as follows:

· The project incorporates feasible mitigation measures to ensure that the environmental impacts are minimized to a reasonable and practicable level.

· Construction of the transmission projects at issue in this decision ensures the continued availability of electric power to the residents and businesses in and around Weed, California.

· Construction of the projects we approve here will obviate the need for curtailment of electric power to the affected area.