2-1 Please see the responses to Comments B6 and B15.

2-2 Regarding alternatives, an entire chapter of the DEIR is devoted to an analysis of three alternatives to the proposed sale of the plants. Please refer to Chapter 6 of the DEIR for additional information.

Neither the CPUC nor the EIR has postulated that a market system will reduce the demand for electricity.

2-3 In certifying the EIR and considering it in the context of making a decision on PG&E’s application, the CPUC must determine that the Final EIR represents the CPUC’s independent judgment and analysis.

For the record, the environmental consulting firm (ESA) that assisted in the preparation of the EIR was selected by the CPUC staff based on its qualifications and experience. A part of the selection process also involved a review of any potential for a conflict of interest ESA may have with the project proponent or other electric utilities. The CPUC staff found that there were no grounds to suggest that a potential for a conflict of interest existed with ESA.