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Advocates Urge LA Committee to Set Maximum Indoor Temperature for Rentals, Oppose Grid‑analysis Amendment
Summary
Public commenters — including NRDC, Sage, labor and public‑health groups — urged the Energy & Environment Committee to adopt an ordinance setting a maximum indoor temperature for rental housing and opposed an amendment that would require a comprehensive grid analysis, saying it could delay life‑saving protections.
Public health, tenant and environmental groups urged the Energy & Environment Committee to advance a motion establishing a maximum indoor temperature for rental housing and to reject an amendment that would require an additional grid analysis before the ordinance moves forward.
Isabelle Friedman of the Natural Resources Defense Council told the committee extreme heat "is the deadliest climate related disaster," argued that lack of access to air conditioning is a leading risk factor, and said an extra grid study could "unnecessarily delay" protections. Chelsea Kirk of Sage said LADWP has been planning for increased electricity demand and warned that a grid analysis requirement would delay implementation that could take until 2027.
Chris Gonzales of SMART Local 105 said rebates and incentives make upgrades affordable and emphasized the job benefits of a policy that promotes heat-pump and HVAC installations: "These projects are more affordable than ever... This policy just mirrors what the county already passed and saves lives."
Several speakers stressed equity concerns, noting that renters, undocumented residents and low‑income households face higher heat risks in neighborhoods such as the San Fernando Valley. A representative from LADWP testifying for Emil Abdul Shahid asked the committee to allow DWP to investigate which circuits would serve buildings subject to a maximum-temperature requirement before committing to continuous loads.
The committee agreed that the ordinance would return to Energy & Environment for consideration before final council action when it is brought back, giving the committee another opportunity to evaluate technical analyses alongside public health and housing impacts.
