Sustainability & Climate Justice Commission

The City of Ithaca Sustainability & Climate Justice Commission met on November 10, 2026. A Building Power Resource Center representative presented research on a potential maximum-temperature ordinance for rental housing, recommending an indoor temperature and humidity standard, broad coverage, mechanical cooling, phased compliance where needed, inspections integrated with existing rental-housing processes, and tenant protections against equipment costs being passed through. Commissioners discussed coverage, enforceability, and implementation costs; no ordinance was adopted and no procurement action was identified.

The commission also discussed the city’s energy-code supplement, developed jointly with the Town of Ithaca. The town has adopted its version, and the city’s version was expected to go before council later in November, with a vote anticipated in December. Discussion covered all-electric requirements for building space conditioning, exemptions, and the treatment of cooking fuel; commissioners took no vote. A participatory-budget recommendation could not be considered for a vote because the commission lacked a quorum. Members also provided feedback on whether to reduce commission membership, with no decision made. No contracts, vendor awards, or spending approvals were identified.