
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 50USC167b]

 
                   TITLE 50--WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
 
                         CHAPTER 10--HELIUM GAS
 
Sec. 167b. Storage, transportation, and withdrawal of crude 
        helium
        

(a) Storage, transportation, and withdrawal

    The Secretary may store, transport, and withdraw crude helium and 
maintain and operate crude helium storage facilities, in existence on 
October 9, 1996, at the Bureau of Mines Cliffside Field, and related 
helium transportation and withdrawal facilities.

(b) Cessation of production, refining, and marketing

    Not later than 18 months after October 9, 1996, the Secretary shall 
cease producing, refining, and marketing refined helium and shall cease 
carrying out all other activities relating to helium which the Secretary 
was authorized to carry out under this chapter before October 9, 1996, 
except activities described in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Disposal of facilities

                           (1) In general

        Subject to paragraph (5), not later than 24 months after the 
    cessation of activities referred to in subsection (b) of this 
    section, the Secretary shall designate as excess property and 
    dispose of all facilities, equipment, and other real and personal 
    property, and all interests therein, held by the United States for 
    the purpose of producing, refining and marketing refined helium.

                         (2) Applicable law

        The disposal of such property shall be in accordance with the 
    Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 [40 U.S.C. 
    471 et seq.].

                            (3) Proceeds

        All proceeds accruing to the United States by reason of the sale 
    or other disposal of such property shall be treated as moneys 
    received under this chapter for purposes of section 167d(f) of this 
    title.

                              (4) Costs

        All costs associated with such sale and disposal (including 
    costs associated with termination of personnel) and with the 
    cessation of activities under subsection (b) of this section shall 
    be paid from amounts available in the helium production fund 
    established under section 167d(f) of this title.

                            (5) Exception

        Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any facilities, equipment, or 
    other real or personal property, or any interest therein, necessary 
    for the storage, transportation, and withdrawal of crude helium or 
    any equipment, facilities, or other real or personal property, 
    required to maintain the purity, quality control, and quality 
    assurance of crude helium in the Bureau of Mines Cliffside Field.

(d) Existing contracts

                           (1) In general

        All contracts that were entered into by any person with the 
    Secretary for the purchase by the person from the Secretary of 
    refined helium and that are in effect on October 9, 1996, shall 
    remain in force and effect until the date on which the refining 
    operations cease, as described in subsection (b) of this section.

                              (2) Costs

        Any costs associated with the termination of contracts described 
    in paragraph (1) shall be paid from the helium production fund 
    established under section 167d(f) of this title.

(Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 426, Sec. 4, as added Pub. L. 86-777, Sec. 2, Sept. 
13, 1960, 74 Stat. 920; amended Pub. L. 104-273, Sec. 3, Oct. 9, 1996, 
110 Stat. 3316.)

                       References in Text

    The Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, 
referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is act June 30, 1949, ch. 288, 63 Stat. 
377, as amended. Provisions of that Act relating to disposal of 
government property are classified to chapter 10 (Sec. 471 et seq.) of 
Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works. For complete 
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out 
under section 471 of Title 40 and Tables.


                            Prior Provisions

    A prior section 4 of act Mar. 3, 1925, related to exportation of 
helium gas and was classified to section 165 of this title, prior to 
repeal by act Aug. 26, 1954, ch. 937, title V, Sec. 542(a)(13), 68 Stat. 
861.


                               Amendments

    1996--Pub. L. 104-273 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, 
section consisted of single par. authorizing Secretary to maintain and 
operate helium production and purification plants and to conduct or 
contract for research as to helium production, purification, 
transportation, liquefaction, storage, and utilization.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 167d of this title; title 35 
section 210.
