§ 167p.
Helium-3 separation
(a)
Interagency cooperation
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)
Feasibility study
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)
Report
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)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000.