May 29, 2008 4:12 pm US/Pacific
Calif. Approves Balloon Ban
SACRAMENTO (AP) ―
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.
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.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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