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Council Member Gale A. Brewer on Enhancing Lithium-ion Battery Safety and Supporting Legislation

0:03:52

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3 min

Council Member Gale A. Brewer advocates for stronger measures and legislation to improve lithium-ion battery safety in response to a fatal Harlem fire and other incidents.

  • Brewer highlights a recent fire in Harlem, marking it as the 31st incident caused by lithium-ion batteries this year, resulting in numerous injuries and deaths.
  • She emphasizes the need for public awareness on battery safety and proposes Bills 19a for public information dissemination and 21a to hold repair and retail shops to higher safety standards.
  • Brewer acknowledges efforts by federal representatives to mandate safety standards but notes their lack of progress, underscoring the necessity for local legislation.
  • The proposed legislation aims to enhance the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection's enforcement capabilities and establish stricter regulations for businesses involved with lithium-ion batteries.
  • Brewer calls for increased cooperation between city departments, the fire department, and federal partners to tackle the safety risks posed by lithium-ion batteries.