50 U.S.C. § 167b : US Code - Section 167B: Storage, transportation, and withdrawal of crude helium

Search 50 U.S.C. § 167b : US Code - Section 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.(!1)
(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.