VIII. Conclusion

Because the transaction, with the conditions agreed to in the settlement and the additional conditions we impose, (1) provides both quantifiable and unquantifiable benefits; (2) does not adversely affect competition; (3) maintains and in some instances, improves the status quo regarding financial condition, service quality, and management; (4) is fair and reasonable to affected public utility employees and shareholders and to state and local economies; and (5) preserves the Commission's jurisdiction, we find it to be in the public interest. For these reasons, the settlement, as conditioned herein, is also reasonable in light of the whole record and is consistent with the law. Accordingly, we adopt the settlement as further conditioned, and authorize the transfer of control requested by applicants as conditioned herein.