Helium Added to Critical
Minerals List
The U.S. Department of Energy said on Friday (October 23,
2026) that Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has designated helium as a critical
material
under the Energy Act of 2020 to strengthen American manufacturing and supply
chain security.
The designation advances the Trump administration’s push to
reduce U.S. reliance on foreign critical minerals, bolster domestic manufacturing and
secure key materials for economic and national security, it said in a
statement.
The department determined that helium meets the statutory
definition of a critical material due to its essential role in American
manufacturing and growing exposure to supply chain risks, the agency
said.
Helium’s unique properties make it essential for
semiconductor manufacturing, with no viable substitutes for many critical
applications, while the U.S. has substantial domestic helium-rich natural gas resources
to help meet growing industrial demand, the department said.
Despite the nation’s abundant helium resources, limited
refining capacity and lengthy permitting timelines continue to constrain U.S.
production, the agency added.