Underground Power Lines, Reinforced Water Systems — Four Ways to Fireproof LA

In the wake of Los Angeles’s devastating January firestorms, over 100 experts, utility leaders, and public officials gathered at a UCLA-led workshop to identify practical innovations that can strengthen the city’s water and power systems against intensifying climate threats. Commissioned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and developed by the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation with support from the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge, the June 2025 convening provided a rare opportunity for candid cross-sector dialogue about how to modernize aging infrastructure and reduce disaster risks.

The resulting report, Innovation Opportunities for a Resilient L.A., outlines four critical areas for advancing resilience: undergrounding power lines, reinforcing water distribution systems, expanding advanced metering infrastructure, and improving wildfire risk assessment. Each approach presents both promise and challenges—from the high costs and permitting needs of underground utilities to the potential of “smart hydrants” and real-time data to improve emergency response. Many of these ideas are already informing LADWP’s pilot projects and procurement efforts.

LADWP CEO Janisse Quiñones emphasized that the partnership with UCLA is helping to shape the next generation of utility resilience policies. Gregory Pierce, senior director of the Luskin Center, noted that these collaborative efforts are essential as climate impacts outpace traditional infrastructure planning. By integrating technological innovation with interagency coordination and community engagement, Los Angeles is setting a precedent for other fire-prone urban regions seeking to safeguard essential services and build a more sustainable future.