Elon Musk and Gavin Newsom Unite Over Fire Crisis
The duo is examining the possibility of California officials being able to prevent reconstruction following the wildfires in Los Angeles.
TroibNews 
**LOS ANGELES** — The rhetoric surrounding California's wildfire recovery efforts from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Elon Musk sharply contrasts, with one notable exception: the California Coastal Commission, a state agency often fraught with controversy.
Musk, along with congressional Republicans, has raised concerns about the potential permitting challenges faced by residents whose homes were destroyed by the Palisades Fire. They warn that rebuilding could lead to a bureaucratic nightmare. Musk voiced his frustrations in a post aimed at his 212 million followers, stating, “The real red pill will come when people try to get permits to rebuild their homes and face multiyear waits. This might finally spell doom for the Coastal Commission, which should not even exist as an organization.”
Considering Musk's history of clashes with the commission—especially regarding SpaceX rocket launches and accusations of political bias—his criticism is not unexpected. The commission embodies the ongoing national discussion over housing development versus environmental conservation, which has been effectively leveraged by Republicans in recent elections to highlight issues of bureaucratic inefficiency and high living costs.
In response to mounting criticism, Newsom took action on Sunday by issuing an executive order that suspends specific permitting requirements under the Coastal Act—a law established in 1976—and the California Environmental Quality Act. This order facilitates the rebuilding process for homes, businesses, and other structures impacted by disasters.
However, it’s important to note that the Coastal Act already includes provisions that exempt rebuilding and repairing structures damaged by natural disasters, provided the new construction doesn’t exceed 110 percent of the original footprint and height—guidelines which Newsom referenced in his order.
Newsom’s spokesperson, Tara Gallegos, explained that the governor’s order eliminates the need for residents to apply for an exemption, extending this coverage to buildings that may not otherwise qualify.
Experts and commission staff contested Musk’s assertions about the permitting process, labeling them as inaccurate, yet the narrative has found a foothold among Republicans. Congressional Republicans exploited this sentiment, linking it to the broader conversation on federal aid for California. Utah Sen. Mike Lee remarked, “Even as California bureaucrats refuse to allow homes and businesses to be rebuilt, Congress will be asked to take money from Americans in all 50 states and give it to California. Would you vote to send federal money to California under these circumstances?”
Minjee Kim, an urban planning professor at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, noted that Newsom's order appears to be a proactive measure aimed at addressing concerns about the commission's role in recovery efforts. “For any rebuilding that needs to happen, there shouldn't be any additional ‘development permit’ that needs to be secured,” she said.
Nonetheless, securing permits from the commission, which property owners require for construction along the coast, can be notoriously difficult under typical conditions. High-profile disputes with personalities like David Geffen and U2 guitarist The Edge have become part of the agency's storied history. Additionally, Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Scott Wiener, who chairs California’s Senate budget committee, have recently introduced legislation to reduce the commission's authority and promote housing development in coastal cities such as San Francisco.
Dan Dunmoyer, president and CEO of the California Building Industry Association, a group that frequently clashes with the commission, perceived Newsom’s order as a preemptive move but also noted a political angle in his focus on the agency. “I see this as a governor signaling to the commission that I expect you to follow the law, and I'm telling you what the law is, just in case you might want to take a different position,” Dunmoyer said.
Justin Cummings, chair of the commission, indicated the agency is working to dispel misinformation that could hinder residents from accessing vital rebuilding assistance. The commission's website, as of Wednesday, included a notice informing residents that homes and businesses destroyed in disasters are exempt from coastal development permits.
Cummings remarked, “For people who are in a very emotional state to have prominent figures spreading misinformation and lies about the permitting process and people's ability to rebuild, it's just counterproductive.”
Not all Democrats are inclined to support Musk's criticisms. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, representing part of Los Angeles, tweeted, “Friendly reminder: Elon Musk could rebuild nearly every home that’s been lost in the LA fires for less than he paid to f’up this app.”
If this topic interests you, consider subscribing to PMG’s California Climate newsletter.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Musk, along with congressional Republicans, has raised concerns about the potential permitting challenges faced by residents whose homes were destroyed by the Palisades Fire. They warn that rebuilding could lead to a bureaucratic nightmare. Musk voiced his frustrations in a post aimed at his 212 million followers, stating, “The real red pill will come when people try to get permits to rebuild their homes and face multiyear waits. This might finally spell doom for the Coastal Commission, which should not even exist as an organization.”
Considering Musk's history of clashes with the commission—especially regarding SpaceX rocket launches and accusations of political bias—his criticism is not unexpected. The commission embodies the ongoing national discussion over housing development versus environmental conservation, which has been effectively leveraged by Republicans in recent elections to highlight issues of bureaucratic inefficiency and high living costs.
In response to mounting criticism, Newsom took action on Sunday by issuing an executive order that suspends specific permitting requirements under the Coastal Act—a law established in 1976—and the California Environmental Quality Act. This order facilitates the rebuilding process for homes, businesses, and other structures impacted by disasters.
However, it’s important to note that the Coastal Act already includes provisions that exempt rebuilding and repairing structures damaged by natural disasters, provided the new construction doesn’t exceed 110 percent of the original footprint and height—guidelines which Newsom referenced in his order.
Newsom’s spokesperson, Tara Gallegos, explained that the governor’s order eliminates the need for residents to apply for an exemption, extending this coverage to buildings that may not otherwise qualify.
Experts and commission staff contested Musk’s assertions about the permitting process, labeling them as inaccurate, yet the narrative has found a foothold among Republicans. Congressional Republicans exploited this sentiment, linking it to the broader conversation on federal aid for California. Utah Sen. Mike Lee remarked, “Even as California bureaucrats refuse to allow homes and businesses to be rebuilt, Congress will be asked to take money from Americans in all 50 states and give it to California. Would you vote to send federal money to California under these circumstances?”
Minjee Kim, an urban planning professor at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, noted that Newsom's order appears to be a proactive measure aimed at addressing concerns about the commission's role in recovery efforts. “For any rebuilding that needs to happen, there shouldn't be any additional ‘development permit’ that needs to be secured,” she said.
Nonetheless, securing permits from the commission, which property owners require for construction along the coast, can be notoriously difficult under typical conditions. High-profile disputes with personalities like David Geffen and U2 guitarist The Edge have become part of the agency's storied history. Additionally, Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Scott Wiener, who chairs California’s Senate budget committee, have recently introduced legislation to reduce the commission's authority and promote housing development in coastal cities such as San Francisco.
Dan Dunmoyer, president and CEO of the California Building Industry Association, a group that frequently clashes with the commission, perceived Newsom’s order as a preemptive move but also noted a political angle in his focus on the agency. “I see this as a governor signaling to the commission that I expect you to follow the law, and I'm telling you what the law is, just in case you might want to take a different position,” Dunmoyer said.
Justin Cummings, chair of the commission, indicated the agency is working to dispel misinformation that could hinder residents from accessing vital rebuilding assistance. The commission's website, as of Wednesday, included a notice informing residents that homes and businesses destroyed in disasters are exempt from coastal development permits.
Cummings remarked, “For people who are in a very emotional state to have prominent figures spreading misinformation and lies about the permitting process and people's ability to rebuild, it's just counterproductive.”
Not all Democrats are inclined to support Musk's criticisms. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, representing part of Los Angeles, tweeted, “Friendly reminder: Elon Musk could rebuild nearly every home that’s been lost in the LA fires for less than he paid to f’up this app.”
If this topic interests you, consider subscribing to PMG’s California Climate newsletter.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
