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Send in the clowns – just make sure they're not carrying balloons.
The California Senate on Thursday voted to ban helium-filled metallic balloons because they too frequently fly away and get tangled in electrical lines. That has caused hundreds of power outages in recent years and led to costly repairs for utilities.
Starting in 2010, anyone caught selling the popular party supplies faces a $100 fine under a bill the Senate sent to the state Assembly.
Starting in 2010, anyone caught selling the popular party supplies faces a $100 fine under a bill the Senate sent to the state Assembly.
Sen. Jack Scott, D-Altadena, says the balloons are a growing cause of outages when they break free and cause power lines to arc.
Stray balloons caused more than 200 power outages last year in Northern California, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the region's major utility. Southern California Edison reported nearly 400 outages from balloons and kites in 2005.
Scott says the outages cost millions of dollars in damages each year. He said a 1990 California law requiring the balloons to come attached with weights has not been effective in controlling fly-aways.
State Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Temecula, says lawmakers are overreacting by banning an item popular with children. He also claims the utility companies are overstating the problem.
The bill passed on a 22-17 vote after failing on an earlier attempt.
Stray balloons caused more than 200 power outages last year in Northern California, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the region's major utility. Southern California Edison reported nearly 400 outages from balloons and kites in 2005.
Scott says the outages cost millions of dollars in damages each year. He said a 1990 California law requiring the balloons to come attached with weights has not been effective in controlling fly-aways.
State Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Temecula, says lawmakers are overreacting by banning an item popular with children. He also claims the utility companies are overstating the problem.
The bill passed on a 22-17 vote after failing on an earlier attempt.
1 comment:
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has called for the ban on mass balloon releases to protect the wildlife who they have found to be killed due to the waste effects of latex balloons. But is a ban the answer, or are the MCS guilty of using shock tactics to increase their profile ?
While they do have a case for the problem, further evidence needs to be produced to find out why sea life are interpreting balloon fragments for food. Would an alternative be to release balloons that degrade within a few days? or remove any plastic fittings or ribbon attachments from the balloon? Another idea is to release balloon colours that do resemble food (No green colours for example).
Whatever the outcome, the Marine conservation society must work with the Balloon Companies and the UK Association (NABAS) to bring the concern to a conclusion. If the MCS succeed with banning balloons, the killjoys may be looking at criticising other businesses for their profile gain. Can MCS ban everything that may cause an accident?
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