On October 26, 2023, the UK’s Energy Act 2023 gained Royal Assent and was enacted to strengthen the UK’s long-term energy security and support affordable clean energy. The UK will become the first country to legislate for fusion regulation, which will foster the growth of the domestic fusion industry in support of the UK’s goal for a prototype fusion power plant by 2040.
Through the Agile Nations network, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada published initial suggestions for a multi-national fusion regulatory framework. The network, consisting of government representatives and technical experts, suggested recommendations on how to develop an appropriate regulatory framework for fusion energy facilities. The group recognized the importance and viability of fusion power as a global opportunity, and recommends that fusion regulations should be pro-innovation, risk-informed, and transparent.
On October 11, 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held the first of a series of three public meetings to share the staff’s progress and seek public input on the preliminary proposed rule language, preliminary draft guidance (NUREG-1556, Volume 22), and specific topics of the proposed rule that would form the regulatory framework under 10 CFR Part 30 for fusion systems.
The NRC has issued a “Notification of Proposed Rulemaking” on Fusion Energy. Read what the FIA has proposed on how to define fusion machines.
On July 12, 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a public meeting to update progress on developing a regulatory framework for fusion energy. As the first meeting following the April NRC decision that separated fusion from fission regulations in the United States, it kicks off the progress that will be made as a result of the vote.
On June 9, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) sent a letter on the importance of risk-informed fusion regulations to European Commission Commissioner Simson. The letter comes at a time when governments are increasingly looking into solidifying regulations for fusion energy, following recent regulatory decisions by the United States and United Kingdom. Early movers will have a competitive advantage in further shaping the industry, which spent over $500m on the supply chain in 2022.
On May 25, 2023, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) sent a letter to Senator Carper, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and Senator Capito, Ranking Member, in support of the re-nomination of Commissioner Baran to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
The five US NRC Commissioners announced in a vote that fusion energy would be regulated under the same regime as particle accelerators.
In a meeting at the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRC) on Tuesday, November 8, the Department of Energy, representatives of Agreement States, and private industry agreed that the regulation of fusion energy should be separated from the regulation of nuclear fission. Members of the FIA and the NRC staff discussed how an approach to fusion energy…
On August 24, 2022, the CEO of the Fusion Industry Association sent letter to the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that gives a full record of the FIA’s position on the appropriate type of regulatory approach by the NRC in the U.S. The letter, signed by FIA’s CEO, Andrew Holland, serves a follow up…