Both the House and Senate passed crucial helium legislation this September to avert the shutdown of the federal helium reserve near Amarillo, Texas. The reserve provides the United States with 40 percent of its helium supply, and is critical for supplying the private sector with helium for hospital equipment, solar panels, and computer silicon chips. H.R. 527, the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, passed with an amendment by the House and is expected to be signed by President Obama in the coming weeks.

Revenue from the helium reserve helps provide funding for national parks, remediation, and will help to reduce the national deficit by $90 million over the next decade.

Sources: Energy & Environment Daily, the Government Printing Office