either reduces or does not increase the interstate Compact agency’s personnel costs. (3) The arbitrator’s award must give substantial deference to the evidence presented by the interstate Compact agency’s management regarding financial issues. (4) The arbitrator’s award may not cause the interstate Compact agency operating in the national capital area to be in noncompliance with any other legal obligations. (d) Clarification An arbitrator rendering an arbitration award involving the employees of an interstate Compact agency operating in the national capital area shall consider the factors in subsection (b) independently from the factors in subsection (c). (e) Requirements for final award (1) Written award In resolving a dispute submitted to arbitration involving the employees of an interstate Compact agency operating in the national capital area, the arbitrator shall issue a written award that demonstrates that all the factors set forth in subsections (b) and (c) have been considered and applied and that the arbitrator has not considered and applied any other factors. (2) Prerequisites An award may grant an increase in pay rates or benefits (including insurance and pension benefits), or reduce hours of work, only if the arbitrator concludes that any costs to the agency do not adversely affect the public welfare. (3) Substantial evidence The arbitrator’s conclusion regarding the public welfare must be supported by substantial evidence. (f) Compliance with section 5333(b) of title 49, United States Code (1) Clarification Neither the existence of this statute, nor any arbitrator’s award issues pursuant to this law, shall be deemed to violate the requirements of section 5333(b) of title 49, United States Code. (2) Prohibition on denial For the avoidance of doubt, the Department of Labor or the Department of Transportation shall not deny any certification of compliance with section 5333(b) of title 49, United States Code, and an interstate Compact agency operating in the national capital area shall not be denied any