Miller-Meeks advances BRACE Act to ease lithium battery recycler storage rules
Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks delivered a five-minute floor speech supporting her bill, H.R. 9615, the Battery Recycling for America's Competitive Economy (BRACE) Act. She described exponential growth in U.S. lithium-ion battery demand for EVs, energy storage, and consumer devices, and argued that outdated EPA rules under RCRA are driving spent batteries and scrap overseas, often to China, for processing of nickel, cobalt, lithium, and copper. The speech detailed how 1995 universal waste regulations and their application to destination recycling facilities create unnecessary storage costs or require hazardous waste permits. It also addressed lingering uncertainty from the 1996 Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Act preemption provisions. The bill aims to allow on-site storage at recyclers under universal waste rules and clarify preemption for successor regulations. Sourcing was limited to the congresswoman's statements and references to prior subcommittee hearings.