Administrator Zeldin Travels to Los Angeles to Meet with Wildfire Victims and Local Officials to Discuss Fast Tracking the Rebuild Process
LOS ANGELES – On February 4, 2026, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler traveled to Los Angeles, California, where they met with local residents and government officials to discuss ways to fast track the rebuilding of communities devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires one year ago.
Administrators Zeldin and Loeffler began their day meeting with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. They then met with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, along with city staff focused on both permitting and water.
They discussed speeding up the rebuilding process to help wildfire victims, allowing LA residents to build their homes 10% larger than before the wildfire, Administration opposition to low-income housing zones in the impacted areas, insurance payment and rental assistance challenges for residents, and so much more. Administrators Zeldin and Loeffler released a statement following the meeting.
Later, Administrators Zeldin and Loeffler, along with U.S. Army Civil Works Assistant Secretary Adam Telle, hosted a roundtable in the Pacific Palisades to hear from residents about their experiences and remaining needs. Despite the rapid and effective federal government response under President Donald Trump's leadership, residents continue to face non-federal roadblocks that are preventing them from rebuilding.
At the conclusion of the roundtable, Administrators Zeldin and Loeffler, and Assistant Secretary Telle, participated in a press conference.
Administrators Zeldin and Loeffler, and Assistant Secretary Telle, then visited homes destroyed by the wildfires, a firsthand reminder of the destruction homeowners faced more than a year ago, and the struggle they continue to endure.
Administrators Zeldin and Loeffler are now headed to San Diego where they’ll be participating in a full day of events focused on continued Trump Administration efforts to permanently and urgently end the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis.