DOE Designates Helium as a Critical Material for Semiconductor and Energy Supply Chains
DOE designated helium as a critical material, citing its importance to semiconductor manufacturing and growing supply-chain risk.
The U.S. Department of Energy designated helium as a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020 on October 23, citing its essential role in semiconductor manufacturing and advanced energy technologies and its exposure to supply-chain risk.
DOE said global helium demand is growing faster than production. Although the United States has helium-rich natural-gas deposits, the department identified limited refining capacity and lengthy permitting timelines as constraints on domestic supply.
The designation is a policy and supply-chain signal rather than a project award or procurement notice. It may shape federal critical-material planning and supports the business case for production, refining, storage and logistics capacity, but the announcement does not commit funds or authorize a specific facility.
Official source. Development announced October 23, 2026; source reviewed October 24, 2026.