America’s Largest Supply of Helium Faces Uncertain Future
The future of the United States’ largest supply of helium is uncertain, with a looming shortage and the possibility of government intervention. As the element is used in a wide range of applications, from welding and manufacturing to scientific research and medical imaging, many experts believe the future of helium is essential to our way of life.
Uses of Helium
Helium is a widely used element, with a variety of uses. It is commonly used in welding and manufacturing operations, where it is preferred for its light weight and high heat resistance.
Helium is also an important part of medical imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electron microscopy, and other imaging tools rely on the element to fill chambers and create the necessary pressure within the device. It is also crucial in the production of fiber optics and LCDs, as well as in other technological applications.
In addition, helium is a key component in the scientific community. The element is essential to operating the world’s largest particle accelerators, like the Large Hadron Collider, which give scientists unparalleled insight into the behavior and properties of particles.
Supply and Demand
The U.S. currently possesses the largest supply of helium in the world, but its reserves are dwindling. The diminishing reserves have been primarily caused by market forces, such as an explosion in demand for MRI machines, reducing the supply of available helium.
The government has estimated that the current supply of helium will run dry within the next decade. As the largest supplier of helium, the U.S. could face an even worse shortage if the federal government does not intervene to halt the depletion of the element from the earth.
Government Intervention
The federal government has attempted to end the helium shortage by passing several pieces of legislation. Most recently, the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013 attempted to create a market-based solution to the shortage, by creating a supply chain in which the government would purchase helium and then set production limits to create an artificial scarcity.
But the legislation failed to address the primary cause of the shortage, and so the government has been unable to slow or halt the depletion of helium supplies.
The Future
The future of helium in the United States is uncertain. Experts agree that the diminishing supplies pose a significant threat to the health of many industries that rely on the element, and without government intervention, the shortage could worsen in the coming years.
Until then, the fate of America’s largest helium supply hangs in the balance.
Conclusion
Helium is an essential element used in a wide range of industries, from manufacturing to medical imaging. But the U.S. is facing a looming shortage of the element, and without government intervention, the situation is likely to worsen. The future of helium, and of many industries that rely on it, is unclear and will remain so until the federal government acts.
The fate of America’s largest supply of helium is anything but certain, as a federal reserve located in Texas is expected to run out of the precious gas by 2021. Helium is a finite resource, and the facility in Amarillo, Texas is the only major source in the United States, supplying over one-third of the country’s needs.
The current supply is enough to last until the end of 2021, but after that, the best-case scenario is that the U.S. might be able to purchase additional helium from abroad. But this is far from guaranteed, and there is no reliable domestic source for further helium.
Helium is used for a variety of applications, from hospital MRI machines to gas for balloons at kid’s birthday parties. It’s also a crucial ingredient for the manufacturing and functioning of electronics. Some are hesitant to acknowledge the seriousness of the helium shortage, but the reality is that its depletion could have far-reaching economic and cultural implications. Not only will most medical procedures requiring helium be impacted, but the manufacturing of semiconductors and other products relying on helium will also be disrupted.
Aside from buying helium from abroad or developing methods to synthesize the gas, the U.S. government is taking measures to extend the life of the Texas reserve. There has been talk of pumping out the remaining helium and possibly halting production altogether. However, experts say that doing so could result in the death of the reserve by 2026, a full six years ahead of schedule.
Whether the reserve will be preserved and the helium shortage averted will depend on the decisions of our government and the public’s response to this potential crisis. At this point, the future of the U.S. helium supply is up in the air.