The Rise and Fall of the Texas Helium Reserve

[TexasTowelie]

The recent discovery of a huge helium field in Tanzania was big news – dubbed a “game changer” – because current supplies of the gas are expected to run out in the next 20 years.

But it will be years before this gas can be tapped from underground. Until then, much of the world’s helium will come for the same place it has for the last half century: the U.S. government’s underground reserve in the Texas Panhandle.

Sam Burton, assistant field manager of helium operations at the Federal Helium Program in Amarillo, says the gas isn’t just for party balloons – it’s also used in the tech industry.

“It’s pretty much in everything that’s high-tech or advanced – advanced science applications, helium’s in there somewhere,” Burton says, “whether it’s microchip manufacture for computers, cell phones, fiber optics for communications.”

Read more: http://www.texasstandard.org/stories/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-texas-helium-reserve/

[Sherman A1]

1. I recall this being a very big deal at work a few years ago

for the balloons in the floral department both mylar and latex, there was a shortage of helium for a good time period.

[longship]

2. Helium balloons should be outlawed.

It is an incredible waste of an absolutely essential resource. A huge part of primary and cutting edge science research depends on helium, most specifically super conductivity. We're wasting this very limited resource for fucking party balloons! OUTLAW THEM!

[elehhhhna]

7. And when released outdoors they're a horrible threat to wildlife. Huge waste.

[dubyadiprecession]

3. Trump would just say, "why can't we just use hydrogen instead?"

Once he deregulates everything, it should be easy to use for any purpose.

[longship]

4. Oh! The humanity!

Or, the huge manatee!

[paleotn]

5. LOL!!!

Thanks for my first good laugh of the day.

[longship]

6. You're very welcome.

It's a rather old INet meme, but it ages well.