Energy Secretary Chris Wright has designated helium as a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy said on Friday.
The department determined that helium meets the statutory definition because of its role in American manufacturing and its growing exposure to supply chain risks. Helium has no viable substitutes in many critical applications in semiconductor production, DOE said.
"Helium is essential to producing the semiconductors and advanced technologies that power our economy," Wright said in a statement. "By designating helium as a critical material, we are taking another step toward securing our supply chains, creating American jobs, and ensuring the United States leads the world in energy and technological innovation."
Global demand for helium is growing faster than production, DOE said. The U.S. has significant domestic deposits of helium-rich natural gas, but limited refining capacity and lengthy permitting timelines continue to constrain output, the department said.
Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson said DOE is taking action to give American manufacturers reliable access to helium. "Under Secretary Wright's leadership, DOE is taking decisive action to ensure American manufacturers have reliable access to helium as a critical resource they need," Robertson said in a statement.
The designation opens the door to additional federal funding for helium producers and puts the material under closer government oversight, according to The Associated Press. Helium is the 20th material on the DOE list, which last added metallurgical coal in 2025, according to The Associated Press.
The U.S., Qatar and Russia are the world's top helium producers, according to The Associated Press. Qatar's shipments have been sharply reduced since Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz amid its conflict with Israel and the U.S., while Iranian attacks on Qatari facilities have also disrupted supply, according to The Associated Press. Russia put temporary limits on helium exports in April, aiming to safeguard supplies at home, according to The Associated Press.
The U.S. generated helium volumes of 81 million cubic meters during 2025, equal to 43% of what the world supplied, and sent 38 million cubic meters of that overseas, according to The Associated Press.
David Isaacs, vice president of the Semiconductor Industry Association, said helium is used in the industry for cooling, photolithography and leak detection, according to The Associated Press. Isaacs said the group hopes to partner with officials and industry executives to make semiconductor supply chains more resilient.
Chris Bakker, CEO of Avanti Helium Corp., said the U.S. could stay self-sufficient in helium, but only if money flows into the search for new reserves, according to The Associated Press. Bakker said being added to the critical materials list "will bring significant support to these efforts."