TWO HARBORS, Minn. – During a roundtable held Oct. 17 in Two Harbors, Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown), Senator Nick Frentz (DFL-North Mankato), Chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee, and a wide spectrum of business and community leaders from across the Northland discussed the opportunities helium development and production are poised to bring to the region and state.
“The development of a new, critical mineral industry in the Northland is an opportunity for our region to once again be a national leader in an increasingly essential resource for high-tech fields, healthcare and other aspects of our high-tech economy,” Sen. Hauschild said. “Now, we’ve got to get the right infrastructure in place to ensure this industry takes off. Bringing people together from across the private and public sector is how we set up for success.”
Saturday’s discussion, held at the Lake County Services Center in Two Harbors, touched on several critical issues, including: the expedited rule-making process for a helium gas framework in Minnesota, the permitting of a potential gas hub in Lake County, ensuring Northern Minnesota secures tax benefits from this new industry and more.
Attendees also discussed expected job growth, related economic development, and the role this helium development could play in meeting domestic and global helium demand.
Pulsar President Cliff Cain expressed gratitude for the roundtable discussion by saying: “Senator Hauschild has been a strong partner in developing a helium framework that gives this industry a path forward in Minnesota. Bringing Senate Energy Chair Nick Frentz to Two Harbors to hear directly from stakeholders shows his commitment to getting this right. Together, we have an opportunity to build a new industry in northern Minnesota and keep the processing, investment and good jobs that come with these resources right here in our region.”
The roundtable was also attended by Lake County Commissioner Matt Huddleston, Two Harbors City Administrator Patty Anderson, Two Harbors City Council President Uriah Hefter, Minnesota Power’s Arik Forsman, Apex Northland President Rachel Johnson and Indigenous Business Advisors’ Charlie Smith.
The roundtable came just days after the Two Harbors City Council approved a landmark purchase and development agreement with Pulsar Helium, establishing the framework for a state-of-the-art “Rare Gas Hub.”
Under the approved terms, the city will sell approximately 62 acres of land within its existing industrial district to the energy firm for a nominal price of just $1. The property, appraised at $143,200, will house a phased facility dedicated to helium processing, helium liquefaction and carbon capture.
Additionally, the city has committed up to $1 million toward constructing vital rail infrastructure to support the hub.
The facility will process raw gas extracted from Pulsar’s highly concentrated Topaz project wells near Babbitt, Minn. By liquefying the gas at temperatures below minus 420 degrees, the plant will supply crucial helium for advanced manufacturing, aerospace and medical MRI machines.
