The United States National Helium Reserve accounts for 30% of the world's helium, and is expected to run out by 2018. Originally founded to supply airships, helium has become an vital component for MRI machines, industrial welding, leak detection, controlled atmospheres for growing silicon crystals, and other important scientific research.
Because the extraction of helium is a byproduct of oil drilling, the US is at danger of having to rely on other countries for helium—nations who could curtail the US' ability to conduct important research.
Although helium is a precious, and limited, resource, the US government continues to sell helium for retail use at a discounted cost, exasperating the depletion of the reserve. It's time to end retail sales and preserve helium for our scientists.