Three Months After LA Fires, Vote Solar Urges State Leaders to Stop Undermining Climate Resilience

LOS ANGELES — As California marks three months since the devastating Palisades and Altadena fires, Vote Solar is raising concerns about recent actions by state leaders that could undermine the state’s climate and equity goals.

In January, Governor Gavin Newsom waived critical environmental review processes under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), citing the need for expedited fire recovery. The move has since been extended to include utility infrastructure projects, fast-tracking construction without public input or safeguards. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas has introduced legislation (AB 306) that would pause California’s building efficiency standards for six years—halting progress on water conservation, energy efficiency, and onsite solar requirements.

“These decisions are deeply troubling,” said Andrea León-Grossmann, Deputy Program Director for Vote Solar. “We understand the need to act quickly in the face of climate disasters, but stripping away environmental protections and efficiency standards is not the solution. These safeguards exist to keep people safe, especially in a warming, wildfire-prone California.”

Speaker Rivas has argued that climate mandates should not come at the expense of low-income Californians. León-Grossmann responded: “That framing misses the point. Low-income families are already paying the price of climate inaction—through extreme heat, unaffordable utility bills, and dangerous living conditions. Rolling back standards won’t relieve those burdens—it will make them worse.”

Vote Solar warns that without strong building and environmental standards, California risks locking in more expensive, less efficient, and more vulnerable infrastructure. “Unchecked, poorly planned construction without solar, battery storage, or water efficiency will only increase emissions and utility costs,” León-Grossmann added. “That’s not recovery—it’s regression.”

Instead, León-Grossmann says the state should be prioritizing distributed energy solutions that empower communities. “Californians deserve clean, locally produced energy that is affordable, reliable, and community-centered. We can’t keep bailing out negligent and greedy utilities like Southern California Edison. Investing in resilience—through rooftop solar, battery storage, and smart water use—is investing in Californians.”

Vote Solar is urging lawmakers and the Governor’s office to reconsider these rollbacks and recommit to bold, equitable climate action rooted in clean, local energy.