U.S. Department of Energy Designates Helium as a Critical Material
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On October 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy designated helium as a critical material, marking it as the 20th critical material identified by the agency. This inclusion brings helium under the critical materials framework of the Energy Act of 2020, subjecting it to closer government monitoring. Helium is an essential industrial gas used in semiconductor manufacturing, medical imaging, quantum computing, and other fields. According to ZeroHedge, this designation may help eligible helium projects access government financing, technical assistance, and collaborative support, similar to the support provided to rare earth miners. ZeroHedge also noted that current helium supply faces geopolitical risks: Qatari helium exports have been significantly reduced due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and Russia implemented temporary export controls in April 2026.
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- ZeroHedgeU.S. Adds Helium to Critical Materials List, Integrating It into Supply Chain Security Framework for Reindustrialization
The U.S. Department of Energy designated helium as a critical material on Friday, marking it as the 20th critical material identified by the agency under the Critical Materials framework of the Energy Act of 2020, which will now receive closer government monitoring. Helium is an essential industrial gas for semiconductor manufacturing, medical imaging, quantum computing, and other fields. It currently faces geopolitical risks in the Gulf region, with Qatari exports significantly reduced due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and Russia implementing temporary export controls in April.
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