California governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order intended to speed up reconstruction and reduce price gouging once the Californian wildfires are extinguished.
The order will suspend aspects of the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act, meaning that planning rules around the environment and views of the coastline have been waived.
The protections against price gouging on building materials, storage and construction services have been implemented in Los Angeles County until 7 January next year.
The order also aims to identify further building code restrictions that can be lifted to streamline and reduce the cost of rebuilding.
Newsom said: “When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild quickly and without roadblocks.
“The executive order I signed today will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger. I’ve also ordered our state agencies to identify additional ways to streamline the rebuilding and recovery process.”
Yesterday, forecaster AccuWeather estimated that the loss caused by the fires was between $250bn and $275bn.
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