This past Tuesday February 17, during a regular Los Angeles City Council meeting, Councilmembers Robert (Bob) Blumenfield of District 3 and Eunisses Hernandez of District 1 advocated for the Safe Indoor Temperature Ordinance, which would require landlords to maintain a maximum indoor temperature of 82 degrees fahrenheit. The ordinance aims to protect residents from heat related illnesses and protect their right to have and use cooling infrastructure. This applies to rental units in unincorporated cities and areas of L.A. County. Landlords are required by January 1, 2027 to install cooling infrastructure, including functional air conditioning, fans or proper insulation. Those in opposition have expressed concerns with the power grid and capacity.

During the City Council meeting, Blumenfield claimed data centers and AI centers require immense energy, noting a report from the International Energy Agency which claimed that from 2019-2023 there was a 95% increase in power usage for data and AI centers. He also claimed such projects will see 5 times that amount in 2028. This is equivalent to about 100,000 homes using power. Newer centers, he adds, are predicted to draw 20 times that power.

“When it comes to power hogs there are much bigger fish to fry than this issue,” Blumenfield said. “Energy needed to keep apartments cooler than 82 degrees is a pimple on the backside of the energy needed for data centers or AI centers by comparison.”

While Blumenfield agrees with colleagues about focusing on the grid and capacity, he also emphasized the “need to refocus on renewable energy and incentives that help landlords and renters as this policy is implemented.” 

During the meeting Blumefield also questioned representatives from the LADWP, with his first question being in regards to the 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100). According to the LADWP website, “After three years of analysis by Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100) is complete and confirms that a 100% renewable power system is achievable!”

Councilmember Blumenfield asked DWP representatives how they have been modeling and preparing, and how they “plan to become more efficient and meet demand.” In response a representative stated, “we have identified grid updates…we will need to identify areas of the city where the AC unit load will be growing and working with our partners in L.A. Building and Safety who will identify which upgrades are necessary to undertake.”

Blumenfield also expressed concern over a state law (AD130) which prevents the modification of building codes for six years. A DWP representative claimed “We will certainly explore all options related to this topic.”

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez- who co-introduced the motion with Blumenfield- claimed extreme heat is “the deadliest climate threat we face” and that “renters are bearing the brunt of it.” She asserted that throughout the city working families are suffering in older apartments that lack necessary cooling infrastructure. “I have walked into apartments in CD 1 where the indoor air is sitting at 90 or 91 degrees. You can’t sleep in that, you can’t study in that and if you’re a senior or medically vulnerable that level of heat can be life-threatening,” Hernandez stated.

Hernandez also noted that renters are often provided with heating in the winter, yet no cooling in the summer. “That has real and measurable consequences,” Hernandez stated. “Inaction is not neutral, it’s dangerous,” she added.

In addressing concerns about grid reliability and system capacity, Hernandez claimed, “analysis has already been incorporated into existing planning efforts… through the LA 100 Study and the LA 100 Equity Strategy Study the proposed standard allows flexibility including passive cooling strategies and high efficiency equipment which helps limit peak demand impacts.”

Hernandez also claimed that this is a powerful moment, noting the coalition of labor tenant advocates, environmental groups, public health leaders and building electrification experts “who have all come together to say that protecting renters from extreme indoor heat is urgent and achievable.” 

“We cannot wait for the next record breaking heat wave,” she added.

Several members of SAJE South LA– a member-based organization fighting for renters rights, healthy homes and equitable development in South L.A.- spoke during public comment in support of this motion. One member shared that a friend was found dead in her apartment due to heat stroke, demonstrating the severity of the issue. She urged council members to vote yes on this item because “de ustedes depende neustras vidas” (our lives depend on you).

By the end of the meeting all 14 councilmembers had voted yes on the item, authorizing that the motion move forward and the ordinance be implemented.