29-04-2025
NV Energy cites outages, dangerous line work as bill outlawing balloon releases progresses
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — When the power went out on Sunday, March 2, for more than 10,000 customers in downtown Las Vegas, the lights were out for a little over an hour.
The culprit? A balloon, according to an NV Energy official who spoke at the Nevada Legislature Monday.
'Just in the past five years alone, balloon-related incidents have caused over 400 outages impacting hundreds of thousands of customers,' Anthony Ruiz, NV Energy's government relations manager, told lawmakers during a hearing on Assembly Bill 194 (AB194). Those outages affected about 600,000 people, he said.
Ruiz said there are also problems associated with regular balloons, often overshadowed by risks from Mylar balloons. He said regular balloons can melt into the power lines, requiring dangerous cleanup by a line worker.
A ban on balloon releases aims at what Democratic Assem. Sandra Jauregui described as a safety hazard with a wide impact.
'When released, balloons frequently end up as litter in waterways or natural habitats where they harm wildlife and contribute to microplastic pollution. Mylar balloons, in particular, are nonbiodegradable and can cause power outages or fires when they come into contact with power lines,' Jauregui said.
Even with all the publicity about Mylar balloons, a lot of people are unaware of the risks of power lines arcing when foil balloons come into contact.
Republican State Sen. Lisa Krasner asked, 'If a child on their birthday intentionally releases one balloon to watch it fly up into the air, are they now in violation of this law?'
Jauregui said that's not the intent of the legislation, which has been approved in the Assembly and was receiving a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
'The goal of the bill isn't to like find people and fine them. It's more about prevention,' Jauregui said. 'It's about getting the education out there.'
AB194 contains exemptions for hot-air balloons, weather balloons and other scientific research balloons, and indoor balloon releases.
The bill builds on AB321, which was signed into law in 2023. That law phases in restrictions on foil balloons beginning in 2027 and takes full effect in 2030.
AB321 carries fines of $50 per balloon, with a maximum $2,500 fine. This year's ban on balloon releases carries a $250 fine. But that's not really what lawmakers are focused on, Jauregui said.
'Ultimately, we don't enforce the laws. It would be up to the local law enforcement agency,' she said.
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