On March 23, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Committee (NRC) submitted their letter and report “All Planned NRC Rulemaking Activities Related to Fusion Machines” to the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. The report details all ongoing and planned projects by the NRC for fusion regulations.
On February 26, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published its proposed rule and draft guidance on the Regulatory Framework for Fusion Machines. The rule is now open for public comment, and will then be finalized and implemented in October. This is an important, nearly final, step in the process for solidifying clear and specific fusion regulations in the U.S. and FIA will submit comments.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Fusion Industry Association have worked together to guarantee fusion is regulated appropriately, ensuring public health and safety while enabling the industry to grow.
The International Group of Legal Experts on Fusion Energy (FELEX) published a discussion paper on “Regulatory Frameworks for Fusion Technologies.” This paper marks a step in the pursuit of clear, risk-appropriate, and technology-neutral legal frameworks for the safe and effective deployment of fusion power plants.
On September 18 at 10 am, Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ CEO Bob Mumgaard and Pacific Fusion CEO Will Regan will testify at a Congressional hearing on “Igniting America’s Energy Future: The Promise and Progress of Fusion Power”, hosted by the Energy Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
In July 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) submitted a new report to Congress on how the Commission can support licensing mass-manufactured fusion machines. The report was required by Section 205(c)(2) of the ADVANCE Act. The ADVANCE Act, signed into law on July 9, 2024, codified fusion-specific regulations in the US and streamlines the deployment of fusion. Section 205 of the Act tasked the NRC with studying how the agency could develop a regulatory framework for mass-manufactured fusion machines.
On July 17, the UK Government published its response to the consultation on National Policy Statement (NPS) EN-8, which was launched in May 2024 to streamline the process and provide clarity on the planning of fusion power plants. In its response, the Government focuses on enabling the delivery of fusion power plants, highlighting near-term economic opportunity and explicitly recognizing that private companies plan to deliver commercial fusion plants within the 2030s.
The Japan Fusion Energy Council, “J-Fusion,” has published a “White Paper on the Regulation and Safety of Fusion Energy.” The paper provides a well-considered approach to regulating fusion in Japan, with the core conclusion that fusion’s safety profile is fundamentally distinct from that of fission, and that its regulation should be risk-informed, proportionate, and grounded in scientific evidence. The paper gives a broad history and overview of fusion regulatory considerations around the world.
In the midst of a global race to deployment, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) has launched three position papers to help shape EU policy and accelerate the path to commercial fusion energy. The papers provide recommendations regarding European public-private partnerships, regulations, and funding.
On June 20, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) sent a letter to Senator Capito, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and Senator Whitehouse, Ranking Member, in support of the re-nomination of Commissioner Wright to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).