California Construction News staff writer
An executive order signed last week is expected to expedite recovery work in Altadena, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades, areas devastated by January’s wildfires. The order suspends unnecessary permitting and review processes, allowing for faster restoration of essential services.
It will streamline repairs and replacements for utilities, including electricity, gas, water, sewer, and telecommunication infrastructure. It also accelerates the undergrounding of utility lines in the affected communities to reduce the risk of future wildfires.
“We are determined to rebuild Altadena, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades stronger and more resilient than before,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “Speeding up the rebuild of our utility systems will help survivors return home faster and prevent future fires.”
The new directive follows earlier orders to urge Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to prioritize rebuilding with a focus on fire safety. He called on the utilities to develop plans for undergrounding electric lines in these communities, with plans due by the end of March.
It expands previous measures by removing regulatory barriers under the California Coastal Act. This change will prevent delays in rebuilding efforts and ensure utilities can repair, upgrade, and harden infrastructure swiftly.
Also, to address the increasing wildfire threat, the state has made significant investments in fire mitigation, community hardening, and emergency preparedness.
Updates are available at CA.gov/LAfires.
