GoKawiilEnergy Department Designates Helium a Critical Material
The U.S. Energy Department on Friday added helium to its list of critical materials, citing its essential role in semiconductor manufacturing and energy generation amid risk of global supply disruption. The designation opens up additional federal financing for helium producers and subjects the supply chain to closer government monitoring. Helium is produced mainly as a byproduct of natural gas processing, with the U.S., Qatar and Russia as the top global producers.