Abstract
One of the leading energy sources used in our modern consumer society is lithium batteries. Lithium batteries are expected to become the new source of fuel as demand grows for smaller, longer-lasting devices. Lithium-based batteries are in smartphones, digital cameras, laptops, and even electric cars. However, the nature of lithium-based batteries makes it highly volatile. These batteries can catch on fire due to internal and external factors; the battery may short circuit or catch on fire due to extreme heat or physical damage. The number of fires and the cost of these fires are growing. In California, there are currently no major standards for disposing or recycling lithium-ion batteries beyond categorizing them as a hazardous waste. The laws regarding rechargeable batteries are outdated in terms of technology. Furthermore, the low recycling rate and improper dispose of these batteries are leading to these fires. Therefore, lithium battery fires are an urgent public policy issue that California’s policymakers need to address. For this reason, the thesis topic I studied is, “In the State of California, the current management of Lithium batteries throughout the disposal process is causing too many costly fires.” The purpose of my thesis is to suggest a possible policy solution at the state-level for the increasing occurrence of Lithium-ion battery fires in California. To solve this policy problem, I followed Bardach's (2009) “Eightfold Path for Policy Analysis” and used the Alternative Matrix (CAM) analysis to evaluate the policy alternatives for consideration. I concluded my study by suggesting a hybrid solution, which includes: (1) consumer education, (2) governmental oversight program, and (3) a fire suppression system in facilities.