---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18652"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18652"
heading: "Helium conservation program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18652"
units:
  - "Chapter 161 — Department of Energy Research and Innovation"
  - "Subchapter III — Department of Energy Office of Science Policy"
---

# §18652. Helium conservation program

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/18601.md?p=4) shall establish a program to reduce the consumption of helium for [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1) grant recipients and facilities and encourage helium recycling and reuse. The program shall competitively award grants for—
  - (1) the purchase of equipment to capture, reuse, and recycle helium;
  - (2) the installation, maintenance, and repair of new and existing helium capture, reuse, and recycling equipment; and
  - (3) helium alternatives research and development activities.
- (b) **Report—** Not later than 2 years after August 9, 2022, and every 3 years thereafter, the [Director](/usc/42/18601.md?p=2) shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the purchase of helium as part of research [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) and facilities supported by the [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1). The report shall include—
  - (1) the quantity of helium purchased for [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) and facilities supported by [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1) grants;
  - (2) a cost-analysis for such helium;
  - (3) to the maximum extent practicable, information on whether such helium was imported from outside the United States, and if available, the country or region of the world from which the helium was imported;
  - (4) expected or experienced impacts of helium supply shortages or prices on the research [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) and facilities supported by the [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1); and
  - (5) recommendations for reducing [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1) grant recipients’ exposure to volatile helium prices and supply shortages.
- (c) **Coordination—** In carrying out the program under this section, the [Director](/usc/42/18601.md?p=2) shall coordinate with the National Science Foundation and other relevant Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) on helium conservation activities.
- (d) **Duration—** The program established under this section shall receive support for a period of not more than 5 years, subject to the availability of appropriations.
- (e) **Renewal—** Upon expiration of any period of support of the program under this section, the [Director](/usc/42/18601.md?p=2) may renew support for the program for a period of not more than 5 years.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 115–246, title III, § 314, as added Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title I, § 10112(a), Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1460.)