After more than 2 years of advocacy, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh celebrates Congressional passage of lithium-ion battery regulation

May 15, 2024

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh is celebrating the successful Congressional passage of lithium-ion battery regulation, achieved through collaborative advocacy efforts with local, state, and federal partners.

“This bill is the first step in what must be a long-term, nationwide conversation,” Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said. “Technologies like these are evolving rapidly, and public safety agencies must be part of those conversations. We need to work together, share information and ideas.”

H.R. 1797, also known as the “Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act,” would require the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue a consumer product safety standard for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used commonly in micro mobility devices, including e-bikes and e-scooters, to protect against fire risk.

“This is not just a New York City issue,” Commissioner Kavanagh said. “Municipalities outside of New York have begun to see an uptick in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. This legislation will make it much more difficult for dangerous batteries to enter our country, and we are glad it has bipartisan support.”

Fire Commissioner Kavanagh has traveled to Washington, D.C., at least four times over the last two years to meet with lawmakers and advocate for change. Most recently, she met with a bipartisan group of lawmakers on May 7. She then attended the inaugural World Fire Congress on May 8 and joined a panel of experts from fire departments around the world to discuss collaboration, data collection, public education and messaging related to the dangers of lithium-ion batteries.

Fire Commissioner Kavanagh also testified before the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissioner in July 2023: “We reached a point of crisis in New York City,” she said. Lithium-ion batteries have caused approximately 500 fires and killed 24 people in the last two years and continue to be among the top causes of fatal fires in New York City.

A companion bill in the Senate, S.1008, was introduced in March and referred to the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.