📰 What Happened: Over 100 experts, city leaders, and utility officials gathered at a UCLA-led workshop to assess vulnerabilities and propose solutions for LA’s aging infrastructure. The report they wrote recommends underground power lines, reinforced water networks, expanded smart metering, and enhanced wildfire risk assessment capabilities.

🔍 A Closer Look: Underground power lines can reduce ignition risk but come with high costs and permitting challenges. Reinforced water systems, including seismic upgrades and “smart hydrants,”could help maintain pressure during emergencies. Advanced metering tech can offer real-time system monitoring, while improved fire-risk modeling helps prioritize responses.

🧠 Why It Matters: LADWP has already started integrating these four strategies into pilot projects. And with climate threats accelerating faster than infrastructure can adapt, LA’s proactive plan of action serves as a potential model for other fire-prone metros. Bolstering water and electricity isn’t just about disaster recovery—it’s key to long-term sustainability and public safety.