Helium legislation could promote production in Arizona

The US House passed the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act (H.R. 527) by a vote of 394-1 last week.   An analysis by AAAS says the bill authorizes the Secretary of Interior to restore for sale "crude helium for federal, medical, scientific, and commercial use"  pricing helium from the national reserve at market prices.   This will encourage the private sector to develop helium resources to replace the dwindling federal reserves.  Arizona has historically had some of the richest helium deposits in the country and Kinder Morgan is developing the St. John's carbon dioxide field which will also produce helium [Right. Credit, Enhanced Oil Resources]

AAAS reports that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee introduced a discussion draft of a companion bill.