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SIA : Congress to approve legislation securing helium supply

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Helium is an important gas used in the production of silicon and other semiconductors and a constant supply of the gas is urgently needed by manufacturers


The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has commended House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Edward J. Markey for introducing the "Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act."

This is legislation to help secure the supply of helium. The SIA had previously urged Congress to take prompt action on this important issue.

SIA is committed to working with US Congress on legislation to help ensure continuous supplies of helium in order to strengthen advanced manufacturing, facilitate scientific research and increase revenues to the federal government.

"Helium is a critical gas used in the semiconductor manufacturing process and other types of advanced manufacturing and innovation," says Brian Toohey, president and CEO of the SIA. "The severe shortage of helium supplies is already impairing key industrial sectors. Without prompt congressional action, the supply of helium controlled by the federal government would be off-limits to private users, adversely impacting advanced manufacturing in the U.S."

"We appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Markey in introducing this legislation, and we urge Congress to make swift passage of legislation a high priority."

Representatives Bill Flores and Rush Holt are also original co-sponsors of the bill.

Helium is a naturally occurring element that is abundant throughout the world, but there are only a limited number of locations where it is found in sufficient concentrations to make it economically viable to capture. Usually it is obtained as a by product during the extraction of natural gas.

The Federal Helium Reserve in Texas now comprises approximately 40 percent of the U.S. supply and 30 percent of global supplies. The Reserve was established in 1926 because of the important military applications of helium, and the federal government has operated it continuously since.

In addition to its military uses, helium is now an important gas in a number of industrial applications, including medical devices, fibre optics, chemicals and aerospace, among others. It is also an important material for scientific research and space exploration.

Under existing law, sales of helium to private entities from the Reserve will cease in late 2013, and legislation is needed urgently to continue allow the supply from the Reserve to be sold for industrial and research purposes.

By allowing the Reserve to continue to operate, Congress can alleviate the supply shortages and inject approximately $350 million annually to the federal treasury, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates.

"U.S. semiconductor manufacturing is among the most advanced manufacturing in the world, and semiconductors are one of America's top exports," concludes Ajit Manocha, chairman of SIA and the CEO of GLOBALFOUNDRIES. "Legislation to address the helium supply is urgently needed to enable our industry to continue to access this valuable supply of helium and help maintain U.S. leadership in manufacturing and innovation. Congress needs to act promptly to address this issue."


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