I. Certification

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC or Commission) hereby certifies the Antelope-Pardee 500-kV Transmission Project (Project) Final Environmental Impact Report/​Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), State Clearinghouse No. 2005061161. In accordance with State CEQA Guidelines §15090, the CPUC, as California Lead Agency for the Project, certifies that

(1) The Final EIR/EIS has been completed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);

(2) The Final EIR/EIS was presented to the Commission, and the Commission has received, reviewed, and considered the information contained in the Final EIR/EIS and hearing documents prior to approving the project;

(3) The Final EIR/EIS reflects the CPUC's independent judgment and analysis.

The CPUC has exercised independent judgment in accordance with Public Resources Code §21082.1(c) in retaining its own environmental consultant directing the consultant in preparation of the EIR/EIS as well as reviewing, analyzing, and revising material prepared by the consultant.

In accordance with Public Resources Code §21081 and State CEQA Guidelines §15091, the Commission has made one or more specific written findings regarding significant impacts associated with the Project. Those findings are presented below, along with a presentation of facts in support of the findings. Concurrent with the adoption of these findings, the Commission adopts the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program as presented in Table 1 at the end of this document and in the Final EIR/EIS (Appendix 9, Table Ap.9-2).

The documents and other materials that constitute the record of proceedings on which the Project findings are based are located at the California Public Utilities Commission, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102. The custodian for these documents is the Energy Division, CEQA Unit. This information is provided in compliance with Public Resources Code §21081.6(a)(2) and 14 California Code of Regulations §15091(e).