Schumer introducing bill to regulate lithium-ion batteries

CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is announcing he's introducing legislation to regulate lithium batteries imported from China.

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Schumer was joined by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, and FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. He said that lithium-ion batteries catch fire too often and that they've caused 400 fires over the last year. Schumer talked about the issues these batteries could cause and who it could impact the most.

"It's serious. And for the fire Department of New York, our great fire Department and fire departments across New York State. This could become a crisis."

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Sen. Gillibrand said the bill would create mandatory safety standards for the batteries and if passed -- it would take improperly manufactured batteries off of the market.