April 22, 2010
Subcommittee Investigates the Shrinking Global Supply of Helium-3
(Washington, DC) –The House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing to investigate the causes and consequences of the shrinking supply of the important helium-3 isotope. Helium-3 is a non-radioactive gas that is a by-product of the Department of Energy (DOE)’s production of tritium for nuclear weapons. It also is an essential component of neutron detectors used in a wide range of applications from radiation portal monitors at the nation’s ports and border crossings to medical imagining, low-temperature physics, oil and gas exploration, missile technology and neutron backscattering facilities.
Since the end of the Cold War, nuclear weapons production worldwide –- and the resulting manufacture of helium-3 –- has decreased. But after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there has been an increase in the demand from DOE, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of Defense (DOD) for radiation detection devices which rely on helium-3. As a result, there is now a critical shortage in the global supply of helium-3.
“The impacts of the helium-3 shortage are real and painful. Because of its unique physical properties, helium-3 plays a crucial role in oil and gas exploration, cryogenics, quantum computing, neutron scattering facilities and medical lung imaging research. Important science is on hold in a wide range of fields and commercial opportunities for American firms have been lost,” said Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC).
Members and witnesses drew attention to DOE’s slow response to the helium-3 shortage crisis. As the key supplier, as well as a larger user of helium-3 for both security and scientific applications, DOE was in a key position to anticipate the pending shortage. However, DOE failed to respond until the helium-3 stockpile was nearly expended.
“If DOE had noticed the disconnect between supply and demand they could have managed the stockpile with clear prioritization for highest use, and led an aggressive and timely search for alternatives to helium-3. These actions would have helped us avoid this crisis,” said Miller.
In February 2009, a governmental interagency helium-3 Integrated Product Team (IPT) composed of the DOE, the DHS, the DOD, and other government agencies was formed to address the decreasing supply. The task force has allocated helium-3 for FY 09 and 10, and is investigating alternative technologies and possible sources of additional helium-3.
“The current efforts of DNDO, DOE, DOD and other agencies under the orchestration of the National Security Council staff appears to be very well organized. They have set out to do a thorough survey of demand and have attempted to identify all outlying sources of supply. They are identifying alternative gases and locating international opportunities to temporarily expand the supply of Helium-3,” said Miller.
###
111.189
Related Subcommittees
Next Article Previous Article