Vast Majority Of Cal Voters Favor Restricting Building In Fire Risk Areas
Written by 991KBU on June 18, 2019
Building homes in fire risk areas like Malibu is opposed by three quarters of the voters on California.
That’s according to a new Los Angeles Times survey … conducted statewide by the U-C Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies Poll.
“The voters think there should be limits,” said Mark DiCamillo,,
He tells The Times that California nearly 85% of Democrats support rewstrciting construction in high fire risk areas … not specifically malibu … but Malibu is certainly on the voters minds.
72% of independent voters are also in favor of restrictions … as are 57% of Republicans.
The L A Times reports that while voters may be in favor of restrictiong construction in high fire risk areas … Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers have gone that far
Instead … they are grappling with the issue of the electric companies … their financial responsibility for the blaze … how to pay for damages from wildfires … and cutting back vegetation to manage the state’s forests.
Last year … a CalFire chief floated a trial balloon .. and said government should consider stopping home building in threatened communities because of the danger.
But the governor walked away from going that far.
One possible reason is California’s gigantic housing shortage … and the fact that one on four
Californians live in areas considered at high risk for wildfires.
Meanwhile … there’s a deadline looming.
The L A Times also reports that the Legislature and the governor have not yet settled controversial issues regarding wildfires and the state’e electric companies.
How much money does the state need to pay for past damages from wildfires… including Malibu??
How much needs to be set aside for future fires??
What portion of that will come out of the pockets of electricity customers … versus power company shareholders???
Here’s the deadline.
Stock analysts predict that Southern California Edison could follow Pacific Gas & Electric into bankruptcy if Newsom fails to calm the energy markets and a major wildfire hits in Southern California, leaving victims across the state struggling to recoup their losses from insolvent utilities.
One rating firm is threatening to downgrade Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric if the Legislature misses a July 12 deadline.
if that happens .… borrowing costs go up and your power bill will skyrocket.
We have a link to both stories in the L-A Times … at the KBUU Newswire.
