Premier Smith on hand to launch helium purification facility north of Brooks, Alta.
CTV
A first-of-its-kind helium purification facility was officially launched Saturday.
A first-of-its-kind helium purification facility was officially launched Saturday.
Premier Danielle Smith was among the dignitaries on hand to launch the Steveville Helium Purification Facility, which owners Royal Helium Ltd say was “designed, engineered and built by Albertans in Alberta.”
The plant is located in Princess, Alta. about 20 minutes drive north of Brooks, which is Smith's riding.
"It's clear that Royal Helium is a tremendous gain for the whole the province and it's really the start of a new era for Alberta," Smith said.
While most people tend to think of helium as somethng that helps balloons escape from childrens' hands into the sky at birthday parties, it has other uses. It's used as a coolant in MRI machines, semiconductor manufacturing, and electric vehicles.
Truth be told, with helium, the sky isn't even the limit: space flights rely on it.
Helium Developers of Canada says the country has the fifth-largest reserve of the natural resource.
