Newsom Exempts Fire Rebuilding in Los Angeles from Cleaner, More Affordable Building Code

Gov. Newsom issued an executive order yesterday that could result in thousands more fossil fuel-powered homes being built in Los Angeles fire zones, despite research from UC Berkeley showing all-electric homes are $7,500 to $9,000 cheaper to construct and up to 90% cleaner.

Under the executive order, households rebuilding from the January 2025 fires can use the 2022 building code rather than the 2025 code that includes stronger provisions incentivizing all-electric construction. In addition to reducing building costs and cutting pollution, all-electric construction also reduces fire risk: methane gas lines fueled the flames during the January 2025 fires in Los Angeles.

Following the decision, advocates are doubling down on calls for increased state funding for programs like the Rebuilding Incentives for Sustainable Electric (RISE) Homes program and expanded rebates to ensure impacted communities can access the safest, most affordable rebuilding options. These incentive programs provide critical homeowner assistance in navigating a rebuild, bring contractors and builders to the table for rebuilding all-electric, and help uplift the value of a safer all-electric building for occupants.

“Building gas into new homes not only costs more, it makes us less safe, less healthy, and less protected from wildfires in the future,” said Matt Vespa, senior attorney on Earthjustice’s Right To Zero campaign. “Newsom should be rebuilding LA with modern standards, and that includes efficient and healthy electric appliances. Rebuilding LA homes with methane gas appliances is like greenlighting lead paint and asbestos insulation in the rebuild after the Northridge earthquake — we have better options, and it makes no sense.”

A father cooks with his family on an induction stove. The building electrification movement has been gaining steam as a major climate and clean air solution (Halfpoint Images / Getty Images)

“We are extremely disappointed to see Governor Newsom rolling back code requirements that will help to ensure that LA is rebuilt with climate resilience and affordability in mind,” said Srinidhi Sampath-Kumar, Director of the Sierra Club’s Building Electrification Campaign. “As the continued use of fossil fuels drives climate disasters like the 2025 wildfires, it is untenable that Newsom is removing common sense requirements for more sustainable and fire resistant housing. If anything, the wildfires that we are experiencing should be a reminder that the State should be investing in incentives and subsidies to support rebuilding climate resilient homes, without dangerous and polluting fossil fuels.”

“Impacted communities in Los Angeles deserve to build back quickly, safely, and cost-effectively,” said Beckie Menten, California Director for the Building Decarbonization Coalition. “California’s building codes are proven to do this while making homes highly efficient, healthy, and more resilient to climate disasters. Waiving building codes is like waiving seatbelts or air bags to build cars faster. We can’t sacrifice Californians’ safety in the process of rebuilding — and this moment underscores the urgent need to fund programs like RISE Homes to provide financial and technical support for homeowners.”