Nebraska lawmakers address lithium battery fires with legislation

A Nebraska lawmaker believes her bill addresses the growing hazard of fires caused by improperly disposed of lithium-ion batteries and doesn’t zap taxpayers.”LB 309 brings forth a unique option to help reverse the trend of these batteries ending up in the waste and recycling streams,” state Sen. Jana Hughes said.She pointed to recent fires in garbage trucks in Gretna and Seward and recycling centers and landfills believed to be caused by ruptured lithium-ion batteries.”When they are damaged or defective, lithium-ion batteries can pose a serious hazard as they quickly heat up to over 2,000 degrees and cause fires, burns and or explode,” Hughes said.Hughes called LB 309 an industry-led solution that is working in 11 states.Under the bill, beginning Jan. 2028, only battery manufacturers who sign up for the state’s battery stewardship program can sell their products in Nebraska.They would work with the Nebraska Department of…

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