California’s pivotal environmental regulations will be put on hold for wildfire survivors aiming to reconstruct their residences and enterprises, as per an executive decree signed Sunday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The directive states that construction permit and inspection stipulations under the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Code, often regarded as burdensome by constructors, are contributing to the expenses of fires in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and other areas. This will be alleviated for the advantage of the public.
“California is at the forefront of environmental stewardship, and I will not relinquish that,” Newsom expressed to Jacob Soboroff on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “However, one thing I am unwilling to compromise on is delay. Delay is a denial to individuals, lives, customs, and places are disrupted and dismantled.”
Dan Dunmoyer, president and CEO of the California Building Industry Association, remarked that the governor’s actions signify an early and robust declaration regarding the future of these locales. Dunmoyer indicated that Newsom has signaled the state’s goal to motivate homeowners to return to their hometowns rather than viewing developments as overly hazardous.
“He set a benchmark to indicate that we are going to restore these communities,” Dunmoyer stated.
Exemptions from the Environmental Quality Act and the Coastal Act, referred to as CEQA, could expedite the process by years for homeowners in the Palisades, though the building permits issued by local authorities remain a significant obstacle. He highlighted this issue.
“Those two aspects are critical,” Dunmoyer noted regarding state legislation, “but if local officials do not devise a swift process, we could find ourselves at a standstill.”
Newsom’s decree mandates that the state housing agency collaborates with affected municipalities and counties to create new licensing regulations that would facilitate the issuance of all licenses within 30 days.
Following the fire, housing analysts are renewing appeals for Los Angeles to hasten the process. A 2023 analysis determined that the average apartment unit in the city requires five years to complete, with a considerable part of that duration involving bureaucratic approvals.
Mayor Karen Bass recognized the issue and committed to accelerating permitting.
“We will remove red tape, needless delays, expenses, and frustrations that individuals encounter during peaceful times, enabling them to swiftly reconstruct their homes,” Bass stated at a press briefing Thursday.
Bass reiterated that commitment during a Sunday morning press conference, lauding the governor’s actions and mentioning his intention to reveal details of the initiative this week. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Berger, who represents Altadena, similarly applauded the governor’s executive order.
“I wish to express my gratitude to the governor for addressing my concerns and taking prompt measures to ensure our residents are not encumbered by superfluous demands as we initiate the recovery and rebuilding process,” said Berger, a Republican.
However, many Republican legislators in the state claimed that Newsom’s directive is insufficient and belated.
“Wildfire survivors expect more from Gavin Newsom, whose record includes falsehoods and insufficient funding for wildfire preventive measures and how he and local Democratic leaders owe Angelenos explanations for their lack of preparedness for these catastrophic wildfires,” stated California Republican Party Chairwoman Jessica Milan Patterson. “No more scapegoating and justifications. We demand accountability from this governor, and we demand it now.”
Environmental advocates also highlighted that the governor’s executive order reiterates an existing provision of the Coastal Act that allows exemptions for fire safety reconstruction.
The California Coastal Commission, responsible for collaborating with local authorities to enforce coastal laws, announced last week that state legislation exempts the reconstruction of homes, businesses, and most other structures lost to disasters from typical coastal development procedures. It emphasized that this has already been distinctly clarified. Approval is granted as long as the new construction remains in the same spot and is no more than 10% larger or taller than the original building.
During the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which inflicted extensive damage in Malibu and neighboring regions, the commission coordinated with city and county officials to aid homeowners in their rebuilding efforts. Coastal officials also noted that over the years, the commission has processed numerous “disaster reconstruction exemptions” in different coastal areas that it directly oversees in response to other catastrophic natural events. This was also mentioned.
“When the time arrives to reconstruct, both the Coastal Act and the governor’s executive order provide clear guidance for quickly and simply replacing lost structures,” stated Kate Huckelbridge, the executive director of the commission. “We will chart a course forward.” “Our sympathies extend to all residents in the Los Angeles area whose homes and communities were ravaged by this dreadful fire.”
President-elect Donald Trump and other conservatives have accused California’s Newsom and fellow Democratic leaders of adopting environmental policies they claim laid the groundwork for this month’s unprecedented devastation. President Trump dubbed Newsom “inept” and suggested he should resign, making misleading claims about water diversions allegedly used to protect small fish and Federal Emergency Management Agency protocols.
“Fires continue to blaze in Los Angeles, and incompetent officials lack the knowledge on how to extinguish them,” President Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday evening. “Thousands of wonderful homes are vanished, and many more will soon be lost. There is death everywhere. This is one of the most catastrophic mishaps in our country’s history. I can’t change it. What’s wrong with them?”
Trump’s transition team did not respond to requests for commentary on Saturday.
Newsom stated in an NBC interview that he invited the president-elect to witness the devastation firsthand, just as Berger did on Saturday.
“We wish to approach this with an open hand, not a clenched fist. He’s the forthcoming president,” Newsom remarked. “I hold respect for the office.”
Newsom expressed concerns regarding how long it will take to reconstruct, although he acknowledged that many of the structures that withstood the fire were likely built to contemporary building standards. His executive order thus alleviates certain CEQA requirements and modifies elements of the Coastal Act to prevent property tax increases for individuals who rebuild.
CEQA was enacted into law by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan in 1970 during the height of the environmental movement. The Coastal Act was enacted as a result of a groundbreaking voter proposition in 1972. The proposal was a culmination of a fervent statewide movement to safeguard the coast from uncontrolled development and catastrophic oil spills, such as the 1969 Santa Barbara disaster, which was deemed an “environmental issue heard around the world.”
Both political parties have faced challenges for decades, with governors from either side advocating for over 40 years that CEQA reform is essential. Some directives of the law were temporarily suspended by executive orders issued by Newsom during the pandemic. Now, he asserts that it’s time for that again.
When questioned on a news broadcast whether this month’s wildfires constituted the worst natural calamity in U.S. history, Newsom acknowledged that recent fires had resulted in more fatalities, but added, “The financial ramifications alone.” I believe it from that perspective, in terms of scale and breadth. ”
He advocated for California’s version of the Marshall Plan, the U.S. initiative to rebuild Western Europe post-World War II.
“We already have a team envisioning LA 2.0, and we are ensuring that all voices are included, not only those along the coast but also those here who have been impacted by this disaster.” he declared.