More metallic balloons are sold for Valentine’s Day than any other holiday and, not surprisingly, it’s also around this time of year that Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) sees an uptick in outages caused by metallic balloons drifting into overhead power lines.
PG&E reminds its customers to make sure metallic balloons are always tied to a weight – as required by California law – and to never release them outdoors.
Last year, metallic balloons caused 415 power outages across PG&E’s service area in Northern and Central California, disrupting electric service to more than 210,000 homes and businesses. Of that total, nearly 45,000 customers were impacted in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Unlike latex helium balloons, metallic balloons can stay inflated and floating for two to three weeks – posing a hazard to power lines and equipment even days after being released outside.
In 2022, PG&E supported a new metallic balloon law that will enhance the safety of PG&E coworkers, customers and hometowns. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 847, which allows Mylar or metallic balloons to be sold in California only if those balloons do not cause electrical faults when contacting overhead distribution lines.
The new legislation bans sales of non-compliant celebratory balloons after Jan. 1, 2027.
7 comments
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Are you telling me Scott Wiener (D-SF) has not yet proposed legislation to ban metallic balloons?
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That would be too good an idea for Weiner. We really don’t need metallic balloons. To many irresponsible people.
No big deal, Biden will order them all shot down…
Good!
They’re probably made in China anyway.
With a choice between mylar or rubber, Valentine’s Day buyers prefer Mylars?
I would have guessed they’d buy more rubbers.
DR J – Good one
Careful!!!!!! The Biden Admin will have them shot down! $200K missile to kill a $10 balloon.
You know we live in Clown World.
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