§18652 Helium conservation program

Summary

The Secretary must set up a program to cut how much helium Department grant recipients and facilities use and to promote helium recycling and reuse. The program will award competitive grants to buy equipment that captures and recycles helium, to install and maintain that equipment, and to fund research and development of helium alternatives. Within 2 years after August 9, 2022, and every 3 years after that, the Director must send a report to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. The report must cover how much helium was bought, the costs, whether it was imported (and from where if known), impacts of shortages or price changes on projects, and recommendations to reduce exposure to volatile helium prices and supply problems. The Director must coordinate with the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies. The program can get support for up to 5 years, subject to available funding, and the Director may renew support for another period of up to 5 years.