Lofgren and Obernolte Lead Introduction of American Leadership in Fusion Act
(Washington, DC) – Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Chairman of the Science Committee’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology, led the introduction of the bipartisan American Leadership in Fusion Act. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Lori Trahan (D-MA), and James Gallagher (R-CA) joined in sponsoring this legislation. The bill would implement the recommendations in the recent report entitled Fusion Forward from a bipartisan Commission of the Special Competitive Studies Project, further informed by recent reports and recommendations from the Department of Energy (DOE), the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (FESAC), and the Fusion Industry Association. Most significantly, if enacted, this bill would provide $10 billion in direct investments for high-priority activities to accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy.
“Fusion is the future, and this bipartisan bill is a major step in capitalizing on the promise of its emission-free power,” said Ranking Member Lofgren. “I’m proud to be introducing this bill today alongside Representatives Obernolte, Beyer, Trahan, and Gallagher—and I thank them for their partnership. We are faced with a choice: lead the global race to commercialize fusion power or get left behind. We need to match the momentum we are experiencing with breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility, from the emerging fusion energy industry, and at universities and other national laboratories across the country to fortify the foundation of fusion energy in America, in both the private and public sectors. With $10 billion in direct investments for high-priority activities, the establishment of an Office of Fusion at DOE, a workforce development program, and much more—this bill will unleash a new era of fusion energy development in the United States.”
“Fusion energy has the potential to be a reliable domestic source of power and strengthen America’s energy independence,” said Rep. Jay Obernolte. “The American Leadership in Fusion Act supports the research infrastructure and commercialization pathways needed to move fusion technologies toward deployment and maintain U.S. leadership in this critical field.”
“Fusion energy can help deliver abundant, reliable, clean energy for decades to come, but if we want to realize its promise, we need to make greater investments in its commercialization,” said Congressman Beyer. “That’s why I’m proud to support the bipartisan American Leadership in Fusion Act, which would provide $10 billion in direct investment to accelerate fusion commercialization and establish an Office of Fusion. We must give promising fusion technologies the resources they need to reach the grid and ensure American leadership in this global race.”
“At a time when families across the country are struggling with rising energy costs, fusion energy offers the promise of delivering clean, reliable, and affordable power. However, turning that promise into reality requires sustained investment and commitment,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This legislation will help accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy and strengthen America’s position as a global leader in this critical technology. By investing in the scientists, researchers, and companies developing the next generation of energy technology here in the United States, we can advance our clean energy goals, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen our energy independence. America has always been at its best when we lead the world in innovation, and fusion is our opportunity to lead once again.”
“Fusion energy represents a tremendous opportunity to strengthen American energy dominance, drive innovation, and create new opportunities for workers and businesses for the North State and across the nation," said Rep. James Gallagher (CA-01). “This bipartisan bill makes critical investments to accelerate the commercialization of fusion, grow our research capabilities, and support the next generation of American talent. We must build on the breakthroughs happening across our national laboratories, universities, and private sector to ensure America remains at the forefront of fusion energy.”
"The FIA, as the unified voice of the fusion industry, applauds and commends Representatives Lofgren, Obernolte, Gallagher, Trahan, and Beyer for introducing bipartisan legislation to advance the commercialization of fusion energy,” said Andrew Holland, Chief Executive Officer, Fusion Industry Association. “The private fusion industry has attracted a record $4.5 billion in investment over the past year, but to deploy in the U.S. within the next decade, it needs a strong partner in the federal government. The American Leadership in Fusion Act provides the DOE with the necessary guidance to support commercialization, along with the government resources needed to develop the infrastructure and grow the public-private partnerships accelerating fusion's deployment."
“The global race to commercialize fusion will be won by the nation that can translate scientific leadership into industrial strength,” said Ylli Bajraktari, CEO, SCSP Action Program. “The American Leadership in Fusion Act recognizes fusion as a strategic national priority with the potential to help secure America’s energy future, strengthen its economic and national security, and ensure that the United States—not China—sets the pace for this critical technology. By investing at scale in test infrastructure, milestone-based public-private partnerships, domestic supply chains, and the fusion workforce, this bipartisan legislation translates a comprehensive national strategy into action.”
“This act is at the scale necessary for the US to win the fusion race,” said Carlos Paz-Soldan, President, University Fusion Association. “We strongly support it and hope our representatives see the urgency in supporting this technology to ensure it is developed and deployed in the United States.”
More information, including a fact sheet and list of endorsements, can be found here.
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