US: DoT looks for lithium battery experts for advisory committee

The DoT is soliciting nominees for a new Lithium Battery Safety Advisory Committee that will be housed within the Department’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. “The Department is seeking experts from diverse technical and transportation backgrounds to evaluate safety improvements for the transportation of lithium batteries,” DoT secretary Elaine Chao said. The committee’s membership will consist of representatives from manufacturers of lithium-ion cells, as well manufacturers of Li-ion-powered consumer goods and vehicles. It will also include commercial and cargo air carriers—as well as pilots—along with DoT employees. DoT said the committee will provide a forum to “solicit stakeholder input to continually strengthen the safety of multimodal lithium battery transportation.” <br/>