PRBA – The Rechargeable Battery Association strongly supports a bipartisan battery recycling bill introduced by Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) that would incentivize the recycling of portable batteries and decrease U.S. dependence on critical mineral imports essential to the clean energy economy.
“PRBA and its members appreciate Senator King’s efforts to secure federal funding that would help facilitate the safe and efficient collection of portable batteries in the U.S,” said George Kerchner, Executive Director, PRBA – The Rechargeable Battery Association. “In turn, this would help establish a U.S.-based supply chain of critical minerals for use in the production of high-capacity batteries and many clean energy technologies.”
Kerchner thanked Sen. King for reaching out to PRBA and other stakeholders for input before the legislation was introduced.
The legislation establishes a mechanism for funding research, encouraging outreach and establishing best practices on battery collection and recycling. Sen. King’s efforts also align with PRBA’s recommendations recently filed with the Department of Energy on growing a U.S. supply chain of critical minerals and supporting domestic high-capacity battery recycling operations.
Details of the legislation co-sponsored by Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) can be found here.