S257

The New York State Senate passed Senate Print 257, sponsored by Senator Martinez, authorizing a study on lithium-ion battery fires and prevention, by a vote of 60-0. The bill passed with bipartisan support, though senators expressing their votes raised concerns about the safety implications of electric school bus mandates being implemented without adequate research on battery fire risks. Sen. Borrello noted that children in rural areas are already experiencing problems with electric buses, including freezing conditions when heat is turned off to complete routes. Sen. Weik stated that passage of the study bill demonstrates that voting senators share concerns about the safety of electric buses and the children mandated to ride them. The measure takes effect immediately.

The New York State Senate passed legislation authorizing a study on lithium-ion battery fires and prevention measures, with senators expressing broad support for the measure while debating the risks of the state's aggressive electrification agenda. Senate Print 257, sponsored by Sen. Martinez, passed on a 57-0 roll call vote. The bill's passage came amid floor debate in which Sen. Rhoads and Sen. Murray urged the state to "pump the brakes" on electric vehicle and school bus mandates until safety protocols and firefighter training catch up with the technology. Both senators cited concerns from constituents and first responders about the intensity and danger of lithium-ion battery fires, which they said are difficult to contain and extinguish. Sen. Harckham countered that the risks are being overstated, noting that gasoline automobile fires and natural gas explosions destroy far more homes and buildings than battery fires. All three senators voting to explain their positions supported the study as a necessary step to understand the causes of battery fires and develop prevention strategies.