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 U.S.
Despite the nation’s abundant helium resources, limited refining capacity and lengthy permitting timelines continue to constrain U.S. production, the agency added. 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.
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. 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.
