---
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"
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](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to reduce the consumption of helium for [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1) grant [recipients](/usc/42/2996a.md?p=6) and [facilities](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) and encourage helium recycling and reuse. The [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) 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](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=5) and the Committee on [Energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the purchase of helium as part of research [projects](/usc/42/11360.md?p=20) and [facilities](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) supported by the [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1). The report shall include—
  - (1) the quantity of helium purchased for [projects](/usc/42/11360.md?p=20) and [facilities](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) 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](/usc/42/403.md?p=k), 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/42/11360.md?p=20) and [facilities](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) supported by the [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1); and
  - (5) recommendations for reducing [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1) grant [recipients](/usc/42/2996a.md?p=6)’ exposure to volatile helium prices and supply shortages.
- (c) **Coordination—** In carrying out the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under this section, the [Director](/usc/42/18601.md?p=2) shall coordinate with the National Science [Foundation](/usc/42/17351.md?p=3) and other relevant Federal agencies on helium conservation activities.
- (d) **Duration—** The [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) 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](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under this section, the [Director](/usc/42/18601.md?p=2) may renew support for the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) 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.)