Looming Helium Shortage

My daughter asked me if I knew about this.  I didn't then, but I do now.  Yes, Congress has a lot to deal with.  This seems important, though.

Originally published Monday, May 14, 2012 at 8:26 PM

Senators see ballooning national crisis: helium shortage

A 1996 law is forcing the government to sell off its helium reserves at below-market prices, threatening supplies of the relatively rare and nonrenewable gas used not only in party balloons but in hospital MRI scanners.

By Brad Plumer 

The Washington Post

WASHINGTON — Sure, Congress has plenty of crises to deal with: a weak economy, an expiring highway bill, the end-of-the-year "taxmageddon." But now there's another one floating into view.

The United States is running out of helium.

Yes, helium. Thanks to a 1996 law that has forced the government to sell off its helium reserves at bargain-bin prices, the country's stockpile of the relatively rare and nonrenewable gas could soon vanish.

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Senators see ballooning national crisis: helium shortage 

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