Massive power outage reminds Las Vegas Valley of mylar balloon release ordinance

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - Las Vegas has seen yet another power outage caused by a mylar balloon, also known as a foil balloon.

Several businesses lost power in Downtown Las Vegas and some closed temporarily. It is just one of many outages caused by mylar balloons.

NV Energy cite around 400 outages caused by the balloons in a four-year period.

“It may seem harmless and fun, but there are real impacts when it gets tangled with the power line,” said Las Vegas City Councilwoman Nancy Brune.

Brune authored a bill that restricts the release of helium filled balloons into the air, including mylar balloons.

“It is hard to police and enforce but I think we all recognize that the issue is awareness and education. So, we’re so grateful that you’re actually doing this story,” Brune told FOX5.

Brune wants to remind people of the ordinance. She is hoping once people understand the problems of mylar balloons getting tangled in power lines, they will not release them.

“We had a community group that was supposed to have released a balloon as part of a vigil and when I contacted them, they said oh actually we cancelled that part of the event because we just found out that it’s actually illegal to release helium filled balloons outside,” said Brune.

Brune says a first offense would be a warning. A second offense could result in a $250 penalty and $500 for a third offense. But the councilwoman says as far as she knows no fines or warnings have been issued. Penalties are civil and not criminal.

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