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I just learned something which seems rather disturbing, and I'd like to get some confirmation, if anyone can provide it.... As many of us already know, the world's largest source of helium is from natural mines in Texas, associated with the oil industry. I was recently informed by a reliable source that, until the early Reagan administration era, helium mining & processing was under U.S. government control. Apparently it was turned over to private industry in the early 1980's. I was told that the oil companies found it un-economical to continue to capture and bottle-up the helium, so they stopped doing it. Supposedly, all of the helium we now buy comes from government surplus storage. When all that runs out, the price of helium will skyrocket, and the companies will only then find it economically worth their while to start "harvesting" it. Meanwhile, the natural (finite) supplies of helium are just being squandered at these natural wells, and the helium is escaping into the atmosphere. Once at the outer edge of the atmosphere, helium molecules are light enough and energetic enough that they can break free of earth's gravity and are lost forever. Now, I don't intend to start any false rumors, but the person who told me this seemed to be in a position to know this (it was, in my opinion, a very reliable source). Does anyone have any knowledge to support or refute this story? Thanks, Rich deepreef@bi*.bi*.ha*.or*
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