U.S. Energy Department adds helium to its critical material list
- Helium designated a critical material under Energy Act of 2020
- DOE cites semiconductor manufacturing, quantum computing, gas leak testing
- Notice signed Oct 21, announced Oct 23
Photo: Wikimedia Commons - Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0WASHINGTON, Oct 23 — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said on Oct 23 that it has added helium to its Critical Material List under the Energy Act of 2020, citing the gas's role in semiconductor manufacturing and other energy applications.1
According to the department's notice, helium is "non-substitutable for multiple critical energy functions," including semiconductor manufacturing, leak testing of natural gas infrastructure and quantum computing.1 The notice said helium is also essential to key medical and scientific applications.1
The Energy Act of 2020 defines a critical material as a non-fuel mineral, element, substance or material that the Secretary of Energy determines has high risk for supply chain disruption and serves an essential function in one or more energy technologies, according to the notice.1
DOE said in its press release that global demand for helium is growing faster than production.2 The department said limited refining capacity and lengthy permitting timelines constrain U.S. production, despite significant domestic deposits of helium-rich natural gas.2
"Helium is essential to producing the semiconductors and advanced technologies that power our economy," Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said.2
The notice was signed on Oct 21 by Audrey Robertson, Assistant Secretary for Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, under authority delegated by the Secretary of Energy.1 It points to a DOE assessment, posted on the department's website, as the justification for the designation.1
DOE published its 2023 Critical Materials List on Aug. 4, 2023, according to the notice.1 Metallurgical grade coal for steelmaking was added to the list on May 22, 2025.1