US: House panel declines to restrict lithium batteries on planes

A House panel rejected a proposal Thursday to allow the transportation secretary to regulate shipments of lithium batteries on aircraft, despite the threat of catastrophic fire, in order to wait for international regulations. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted 25-33 against adding the amendment to legislation governing the FAA. The current policy, which Congress approved in 2012 and would extend in the latest bill, prevents the FAA from adopting tougher standards than the International Civil Aviation Organization, a branch of the United Nations that sets policy. The goal was to have all countries agree on rules for international cargo shipments. ICAO could take action within months, but it’s uncertain whether the international body will adopt stricter battery regulations. In the meantime, Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., proposed to eliminate the 2012 restriction against U.S. regulations and allow the transportation secretary to determine if tougher standards are needed. “Lithium batteries are a disaster waiting to happen," DeFazio said. “We’re just repealing a statute that says they can’t act until people die."<br/>