§167o Low-Btu gas separation and helium conservation

Summary

The Energy Secretary must fund and back research, development, commercial use, and conservation programs to boost U.S. production of low‑Btu gas and helium, to separate and capture helium from natural gas, and to cut down on releasing helium during gas exploration and production. Those programs must include: civilian research on advanced membrane filters to remove helium and other gases that lower natural gas energy value; work on ways to separate, collect, and process very small amounts of helium from underground reservoirs and low‑Btu gas streams and to reduce venting to the air; and, through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office, efforts to make low‑cost methods to recycle and reuse helium for all uses (including Federal) and to capture helium from chemical processes such as ammonia production. Up to $3,000,000 is authorized to carry out these activities.