Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Thursday to expedite the undergrounding of power lines in fire-prone areas of California. This initiative aims to accelerate the rebuilding of utility infrastructure in communities devastated by the January fires in Los Angeles County. The order suspends certain permitting and review requirements to speed up the repair and replacement of electric, gas, water, sewer, and telecommunication infrastructure.
The executive order focuses on the cities of Altadena, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades, which were severely affected by the fires. Governor Newsom’s directive also calls on utility companies, such as Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, to develop plans for undergrounding electric distribution infrastructure by the end of March. The governor emphasized that this effort is part of a broader strategy to build resilience and prevent future catastrophic fires.
According to the official statement from the State of California, the order removes regulatory hurdles that could delay rebuilding and hardening of equipment. This initiative is part of California’s ongoing efforts to protect residents from wildfires and enhance the state’s resilience to climate change.
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