Sept. 17, 2025 7 AM PT
To the editor: Lacking within the protection of “zone zero” rules is the big, mind-boggling price of implementing a clear-cut mandate at greater than 1 million properties throughout the state (“‘Zone zero’ rule could be California’s wildfire savior — or its environmental undoing,” Sept. 15).
Apparently, greater than 1.75 million properties in California could be affected by the draft zone zero rules. What number of billions of {dollars} would it not price these property homeowners to take away zone zero bushes, hedges and vegetation, to restore the ensuing harm, to switch with new hardscaping and to ensure any soil erosion or hillside stability points are addressed?
These rules would additionally enhance electrical payments throughout the state. As 1000’s of shade-providing bushes and hedges are eliminated, houses will undoubtedly turn out to be hotter. This may enhance electrical system peaks, which might each enhance electrical utility charges and degrade system reliability (extra blackouts and brownouts).
Extremely, the Zone 0 Advisory Committee has not considerably addressed these prices in any of its conferences or in any of its public communications.
Maybe it’s time somebody requested: “Why hasn’t the committee accomplished and launched an evaluation of the prices to property homeowners and electrical utility ratepayers of the draft zone zero rules?”
Dave Lefkowith, Los Angeles
This author is vice chairman of the Mandeville Canyon Assn., a householders affiliation.
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To the editor: Will this imply that I have to lower down the huge sycamore that shades and protects our home and patio? Should I take away the fantastic gingko tree on our entrance garden that could be a neighborhood delight when it turns golden in November?
Say goodbye to birdsong, butterflies and squirrels scampering in bushes. Say hey to the Nevada desert.
Toby Horn, Mid Metropolis
