New York City’s chief fire marshal sounded the alarm on Capitol Hill Thursday, urging lawmakers to pass legislation mandating the roll out of safety standards for lithium-ion batteries.

In 2023 alone, the city saw 268 fires caused by the batteries. The fires killed 18 New Yorkers, and left another 150 injured. 

“Lithium-ion battery fires require large volumes of water to suppress and can reignite spontaneously, making them extremely difficult for firefighters to extinguish,” Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn said during testimony before a panel of House lawmakers.

What You Need To Know

  • The New York City Fire Department is urging Congress to pass a bill sponsored by Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres, requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and scooters

  • Testifying at at Thursday hearing on Capitol Hill, Chief Marshal Daniel Flynn said, “We cannot regulate devices that are coming into the city from the surrounding area"

  • In 2023, the city saw 268 fires caused by the batteries. The fires killed 18 New Yorkers, and left another 150 injured 
  • New Yorkers from both parties are co-sponsoring the legislation, including Nassau County Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who chaired Thursday's hearing

Last year, Mayor Eric Adams signed into law various bills aimed at cutting back on the fires. But fire department leaders want federal action. 

“We have regulated it within New York City. And we've seen many violations of that law that we put in place locally,” Flynn said. “We cannot regulate devices that are coming into the city from the surrounding area.”

The New York City Fire Department is urging Congress to pass a bill sponsored by Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres, requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and scooters.

New Yorkers from both parties are co-sponsoring the legislation, including Nassau County Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito.

“This is a case where it's going to legitimately save people's lives,” said D’Esposito, who chaired Thursday’s hearing. 

“It's a matter of homeland security. The United States is effectively importing ticking time bombs into American homes and businesses,” Torres said. “New York City is ground zero for the lithium-ion fire safety crisis in America.”

Torres’s bill, which already advanced out of a different House committee with unanimous support, is now awaiting action on the House floor. 

Torres said he is cautiously optimistic the chamber will act this year. 

Provided the bill becomes law, fire officials and some lawmakers argue there is still more to do.

Flynn told lawmakers that the FDNY could use more resources for inspectors that are currently stretched thin. 

And Rep. Dan Goldman, who represents Manhattan and Brooklyn, indicated he sees a role for delivery companies to play in ensuring their drivers use e-bikes that comply with safety standards.