by 1995, a billion cubic meters of the gas had been stored, but the reserve was us$1.4 billion in debt, prompting the congress of the united states in 1996 to phase out the reserve. the resulting "helium privatization act of 1996" (public law 104–273) directed the united states department of the interior to empty the reserve. sales to government and government contractor began in 1998. sales to the open market began in 2003. the sales program paid the indebtedness, and is still selling helium.