US EditionCalifornia suspends environmental laws to speed rebuilding of utilities after LA fires
- On Thursday, March 27, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to expedite the repairing, replacing, and undergrounding of electric power lines and other utilities in Los Angeles County cities and communities devastated by the January fires.
- The order was issued in response to the wildfire risk posed by overhead power lines, which is considered a statewide crisis, and to help residents in areas like Altadena, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades rebuild after devastating fires, including the Eaton and Palisades fires that destroyed thousands of structures and caused numerous fatalities.
- To expedite the process, Newsom suspended what he considers unnecessary permitting and review requirements, including those mandated by the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act, aiming to make it easier and faster for utilities to underground utility lines and equipment.
- Newsom stated, "We are determined to rebuild Altadena, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades stronger and more resilient than before," while State Sen. Suzette Valladares has called for a statewide exemption and has written legislation to remove barriers to undergrounding, emphasizing that streamlining the process is necessary to protect all Californians.
- Southern California Edison crews are already working to put power lines underground along a 25-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, and the L.A. Department of Water and Power has reportedly started construction on undergrounding some burned-out areas in the Palisades, as residents express support for undergrounding power lines to prevent future fires and windstorm damage.
12 Articles
12 Articles
California suspends environmental laws to speed rebuilding of utilities after LA fires
In a continued effort to expedite rebuilding after Los Angeles' devastating firestorms, Gov. Gavin Newsom this week suspended California environmental laws for utility providers working to reinstall key infrastructure.
East Bay Times
siliconvalley.comGov. Newsom issues order for undergrounding power lines in fire zones
Can there be more underground electrical wires in fire-prone areas of California? Or statewide?
Whittier Daily News
Newsom issues order for undergrounding power lines in fire zones
Can California investment owned utilities and municipal power agencies expedite the undergrounding of electrical transmission wires in fire-ravaged areas? An executive order signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, March 27 aims to do just that. The governor said his executive order will speed up the repairing and replacing of not just electric power lines, but also other utilities including those for gas, water, sewer, and telecommunication inf…
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