V. Adequacy and Certification of the Final EIR

A. Adequacy of the Final EIR

The FEIR must contain specific information according to the CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15120 through 15132 (CEQA Guidelines).¹²¹ The various elements of the FEIR satisfy these CEQA requirements. The FEIR consists of the DEIR and SDEIR, with revisions in response to comments and other information received. Appendices 2 and 3 of the FEIR contain the comments received on the DEIR and SDEIR; individual responses to these comments appear in Section E of the FEIR.¹²²

B. Certification of the Final EIR

The Commission must conclude that the FEIR is in compliance with CEQA before finally approving PG&E's application. The basic purpose is to insure that the environmental document is a comprehensive, accurate, and unbiased tool to be used by the lead agency and other decisionmakers in addressing the merits of the project. The document should embody "an interdisciplinary approach that will ensure the integrated use of the natural and social sciences and the consideration of qualitative as well as quantitative factors."¹²³ It must be prepared in a clear format and in plain language.¹²⁴ It must be analytical rather than encyclopedic, and emphasize alternatives over unnecessary description of the project.¹²⁵ Most importantly, it must be "organized and written on such a manner that [it] will be meaningful and useful to decisionmakers and the public."¹²⁶

We believe that the FEIR meets these tests. It is a comprehensive, detailed, and complete document that clearly discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the environmentally superior route, PG&E's proposed route, and various alternatives. We find that the FEIR is the competent and comprehensive informational tool that CEQA requires it to be. The quality of the information therein is such that we are confident of its accuracy. We have considered that information in reaching that decision.

The Commission should certify the FEIR.