Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed legislation creating a specific permitting pathway for helium exploration in Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties. The law explicitly bans hydraulic fracturing and oil wells in these projects to focus on non-hydrocarbon gas production. A key component of the legislation allows companies to capture and sell carbon dioxide produced during the helium extraction process. Pulsar Helium is already planning an integrated CO2 capture and liquefaction facility for its Topaz project, targeting a final investment decision by 2026.
