Helium Shortage Deflates Saginaw Balloon Release

BRIDGEPORT TWP. (AP) - A helium shortage is being blamed for deflating plans for an annual balloon release in Saginaw County.

The Junction Valley Railroad usually opens its summer season by releasing 2,000 balloons with the company's name and contact information on them.

MLive.com reports, however, that Saturday's opening won't be accompanied by a balloon release.

Lillian Stenger owns the quarter-scale railroad loop. She says her usual helium supplier told her that it now only supplies helium for medical purposes.

Helium is in short supply because of the 1996 Helium Privatization Act that called on the government to sell off most of its helium reserves by 2015.

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