Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order aimed at bolstering the rebuilding of several communities by easing certain regulatory constraints, as reported on the official government site. Areas like Altadena, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades are set to benefit from this accelerated process, especially in terms of restoring vital infrastructure such as electric, gas, and telecommunication services.
In particular, the executive order calls for the suspension of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and parts of the California Coastal Act. These are measures intended to expedite the mend and modernization of utilities and, crucially, to shift such infrastructure underground – a move designed to mitigate the potential for future fires without the usual red tape holding back progress. Newsom declared, "We are determined to rebuild Altadena, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades stronger and more resilient than before. Speeding up the pace that we rebuild our utility systems will help get survivors back home faster and prevent future fires," according to a statement obtained from the official government site.
Fires have prompted Governor Newsom to issue orders that reassert the waiver of certain provisions of the Coastal Act for rebuilding purposes, directing the Coastal Commission not to enact any new guidance or actions conflicting with these executive responses. Today's executive edict serves as an expansion on these efforts.
Since the beginning of his term, Governor Newsom has prioritized wildfire prevention, leading to increased state investment in strengthening the electrical grid. This includes strategies such as undergrounding power lines to both rebuild and modernize utility infrastructure. As climate challenges evolve, California's approach has adapted accordingly, emphasizing the role of electric utilities in a comprehensive wildfire prevention strategy, as outlined in the state government's announcement.
Residents and concerned parties can keep track of Los Angeles' recovery progress post-fire, including the latest updates on air quality and infrastructure restoration, by visiting CA.gov/LAfires for up-to-date information.
