ICYMI: Administrators Zeldin and Loeffler Pen Opinion Editorial in California Post Ahead of Trip to Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES -U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler yesterday published an op-ed in the California PostExit EPA's websitepreviewing their trip to Los Angeles today.

For more information, please contact EPA's Press Office.

Read the full piece from Administrators Zeldin and Loeffler:

"It's now been over a year since deadly wildfires set Los Angeles ablaze.

"When we traveled to Altadena and the Pacific Palisades in the immediate aftermath of the fires, what we witnessed felt somewhat apocalyptic.

"Homes and livelihoods were destroyed, city blocks were reduced to ashes, and entire neighborhoods were left unrecognizable.

"Amid this destruction, the strength and resilience of the community was inspiring.

"Almost immediately, many Californians were ready to rebuild with contractors already lined up and plans in hand, prepared to restore what was lost.

"The Trump Administration moved quickly to support them.

"Immediately upon taking office, President Donald J. Trump directed a historic, all-of- government response, an effort that demonstrated the very best of cooperative federalism.

"Under his leadership, the EPA completed Phase 1 hazardous material removal in just 28 days.

"Even though many predicted it would take several months to complete, we finished the largest wildfire cleanup in agency history at Trump Speed.

"More than 1,600 EPA staff from across the country deployed to Los Angeles, clearing more than 13,000 properties.

"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers then completed hundreds of tons of debris removal, moving at record pace as well.

"The administration also made unprecedented funding available to help survivors rebuild.

"In the months that followed, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was on the ground for residents and businesses.

"As the federal government's largest disaster lender, the agency approved 12,600 loans totaling $3.2 billion, accounting for over 50% of all disaster funds approved by the agency in Fiscal Year 2025.

"Despite these extraordinary efforts, more than a year later, thousands of residents and business owners are still unable to rebuild due to widespread local permitting backlogs.

"The wildfire destroyed roughly 16,000 structures, yet just over 3,000 rebuilding permits have so far been issued.

"Barely any homes have been rebuilt.

"A full 75 percent of residents are still in temporary housing, and most are facing financial hardship.

"Across the Palisades and Eaton communities, homeowners remain stuck in bureaucratic limbo with their dreams of rebuilding reduced to paperwork gathering dust.

"President Trump has seen enough.

"He understands the pain and frustration of these survivors because he's heard it directly from them, month after month.

"That's why he is taking decisive action to end the delays and immediately begin breaking through every obstacle that remains on the ground, including the local logjams that have prevented residents from rebuilding their homes and lives.

"The Trump Administration has already taken new action on the permitting front pursuant to the president's recent executive order, with more to come.

"Last week, SBA issued new regulatory guidance to speed up rebuilding for wildfire survivors in Los Angeles: Under the new rule, builders and homeowners who were approved for an SBA disaster loan may self-certify compliance with state and local rebuilding requirements if the required permits have not been granted for 60 days or more.

"This approach is intended to help survivors bypass prolonged permitting delays and red tape, allowing them to rebuild immediately, using their SBA disaster loans.

"There are other critical elements outside of the local permitting process that must be addressed to make this as seamless as possible.

"From rental assistance funding to insurance company payouts, many Los Angeles residents could soon face financial ruin if immediate steps are not taken to mitigate these very real issues.

"It's why President Trump has also been calling for residents to be able to build their homes 10% larger than they were pre-wildfire, while also directing his administration to oppose recent moves to turn the Palisades into a low-income housing hub.

"And there's urgent work needed to improve water flow and forest management in California.

"This week, we are returning to Los Angeles to meet with homeowners, business owners, Mayor Karen Bass, and county Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

"In the spirit of cooperative federalism, we will ask Los Angeles to join us in the urgent fight to clear the road to recovery and together end bureaucratic roadblocks.

"Our goal is to ensure residents get the expeditious and accountable permitting process they have long deserved, along with a clear path to rebuilding that makes their communities stronger and more resilient than ever.

"President Trump made his first visit there just days after he was sworn in, and this administration has been squarely focused on helping Los Angeles recover ever since.

"Over one year later, we are stepping in to fast track the rebuild and exercising every authority to slash local red tape and deliver needed relief and long-term solutions.

"The Trump Administration will do everything in our power on behalf of wildfire survivors. Our message is clear: The time for delays and excuses is up."