HR 9615: BRACE Act

HR 9615 in plain English: The BRACE Act changes how facilities that store lithium-ion batteries before recycling are regulated under federal waste law. It shifts these facilities from stricter hazardous waste rules to less stringent universal waste rules, removing the requirement for a special permit. The goal is to make it easier to recycle lithium-ion batteries and recover critical minerals.

Stated purpose

The BRACE Act aims to support the recycling and recovery of lithium-ion batteries by reducing the regulatory burden on facilities that store these batteries before recycling them, and by directing the EPA to create rules specifically tailored to managing lithium-ion batteries as universal waste.

Key points

• Reclassifies lithium-ion battery storage facilities from hazardous waste to universal waste regulation
• Removes the requirement for facilities to obtain a special permit before storing batteries for recycling
• Aims to increase recycling of lithium-ion batteries and recovery of critical minerals

Arguments supporters make

• Reducing red tape for recycling facilities makes it easier and cheaper to recycle lithium-ion batteries, which keeps valuable materials out of landfills and in domestic supply chains.
• Recovering critical minerals from used batteries reduces U.S. dependence on foreign sources for materials needed in electric vehicles, electronics, and other technologies.
• The bill still requires EPA to create new, tailored rules for lithium-ion batteries within 18 months, so environmental oversight is not eliminated — just updated to fit modern recycling needs.

Arguments opponents make

• Lithium-ion batteries can pose serious fire and chemical hazards; loosening storage regulations before new rules are finalized could create safety and environmental risks at recycling facilities.
• Allowing facilities to operate under lighter 'universal waste' rules on an interim basis may reduce accountability and make it harder to hold bad actors responsible if spills or fires occur.
• Critics may argue that the push to ease regulations primarily benefits industry profits, and that the 18-month rulemaking timeline may not allow enough time for thorough public input or safety review.

Tradeoffs

Making it easier for facilities to store and recycle lithium-ion batteries could expand domestic critical mineral recovery and reduce waste, but temporarily relaxing hazardous waste standards before new tailored rules are in place may reduce environmental and safety protections during that interim period.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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