In Pacific Palisades, some wildfire survivors said they rebuilt their homes but still cannot move back in because the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power hasn't restored service, ABC7 reported.
One resident said the wait meant using a generator through much of the rebuilding process while a trench for power lines remained open outside the home.
Here's what to know
After the Palisades Fire destroyed more than 7,000 structures, some residents said getting through the utility process has become one of the biggest obstacles to moving back.
Residents said utility permits, inspections, and service reconnection were still blocking them even after rebuilding was complete.
Jack Nguyen was among the first fire victims to rebuild, but he said his house still had no electricity.
"We have been through hell literally, and you would think that if anything, the bureaucracy would be shortened and we would be able to ease through the process," Nguyen said.
Rebecca Baron said she ran into a different set of delays. She said temporary power never arrived, so she rebuilt using a generator while a trench for power lines stayed open for much of the project. For homeowners trying to rein in costs once service is finally restored, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. Palmetto is currently running an exclusive offer for Southern California residents that allows customers to save an average of 40% on their electric bills with $0 down.
ABC7 reported that the utility's interim general manager, Dave Hanson, acknowledged residents' frustration with the delays.
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"It's hard not to get upset at that, but also, you know, it's something that we all have to keep focused on. This is a tragedy."
More background
Hanson said he understood why residents were asking whether the utility should have been better prepared for the rebuilding surge.
He said inspection requests increased faster than staffing, and inspectors were being sent in from the valley instead of being based in Pacific Palisades.
Baron said the missing temporary hookup forced her to rely on a generator during construction, while Nguyen said his rebuilt home still could not be lived in because the utility had not completed its portion of the work.
These problems are unfolding in a community rebuilding around older infrastructure.
Hanson said the utility relocated its Palisades base of operations three times before settling at a utility-owned property.
What's being done?
The utility said it has expanded its Palisades response from the Marquez-area support center and reorganized the effort under what Hanson described to ABC7 as a military-style management structure.
He said the location now functions as a forward operating base and that one person has "ultimate responsibility" for the work, replacing an earlier setup in which senior managers were involved but no single leader directed the entire operation.
Hanson also said the utility added five or six inspectors for the area and introduced a customer portal to help homeowners and contractors work through the utility's checklist.
For families rebuilding both their homes and their budgets, cheaper long-term power could make a meaningful difference. With Palmetto's help, the average Southern California resident can save 40% on their electric bills, which can add up to thousands of dollars per year. The offer also starts at $0 down, a notable detail for residents already paying for reconstruction.
"When I'm talking to a customer that I know just wants to go home and I'm the reason they can't go home, I do take that personal," Hanson said.
Where can I learn more?
For more on the challenges of rebuilding after a disaster, these stories examine some of the same issues facing Palisades residents. They cover evacuation efforts, backup solar power, wildfire-related shutoffs, and how communities choose to rebuild.
• In Los Angeles, some wildfire survivors chose all-electric rebuilds that could save thousands during reconstruction.
• In Pacific Palisades, volunteers provided firsthand help at evacuation shelters as families fled the fire.
• After a hurricane, one homeowner found solar panels kept lights on when the grid failed.
• Across the West Coast, utilities ordered deliberate power shutoffs to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires.
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