§ 167p — Helium-3 Separation

(a) The Secretary shall cooperate with the Secretary of Energy, or a designee, on any assessment or research relating to the extraction and refining of the isotope helium-3 from crude helium and other potential sources, including— (1) gas analysis; and (2) infrastructure studies. (b) The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, or a designee, may carry out a study to assess the feasibility of— (1) establishing a facility to separate the isotope helium-3 from crude helium; and (2) exploring other potential sources of the isotope helium-3. (c) Not later than 1 year after October 2, 2013, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that contains a description of the results of the assessments conducted under this section. (d) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000.