DOT Forming Lithium Battery Advisory Committee
The panel is a statutorily mandated advisory committee intended to facilitate communication among manufacturers of lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries, manufacturers of products containing them, air carriers, and the federal government about the safe transportation of lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, is seeking nominees for a new Lithium Battery Safety Advisory Committee and wants to receive nominations within 21 days. The panel is a statutorily mandated advisory committee intended to facilitate communication among manufacturers of lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries, manufacturers of products containing them, air carriers, and the federal government about the safe transportation of lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries, as well as keeping PHMSA informed about new lithium ion and metal battery technologies and transportation safety practices.
The agency's Federal Register notice says the committee members will come from large-volume manufacturers of the batteries, manufacturers of consumer products that contain them, manufacturers of vehicles powered by such batteries, U.S.-based cargo and passenger air service providers, pilots and employees of air service providers, manufacturers of batter powered medical devices or batteries used in medical devices, DOT employees, and any other individuals the secretary of Transportation determines are appropriate.
The committee members must be able to attend at least two meetings per year and will serve without compensation, although travel expenses may be eligible for reimbursement, according to the notice.
It says once the committee is established, it must submit a report no more than 180 days later to the secretary of Transportation and appropriate congressional committees on the steps being taken by the private sector and international regulatory authorities to implement and enforce requirements for the safe transportation of bulk shipments of lithium ion cells and batteries.
Nomination materials (including a current and complete resume, short biography, relevant experience, and an indication of the category the individual most identifies with) may be emailed to the committee's program manager, Lindsey Constantino, at [email protected] or mailed to PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, East Building, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.