Senators Padilla, Cornyn, Booker, Young, Murray Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Accelerate Fusion Energy
On April 18, Senators Padilla, Cornyn, Booker, Young, and Murray introduced a bipartisan bill to accelerate fusion energy development. The legislation would codify the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s bipartisan decision last April to regulate fusion energy separate from nuclear fission. This Senate bill follows the passage of companion bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives. Together, the legislation will permanently and completely separate fusion energy regulations from nuclear fission – an important step in streamlining the US fusion regulatory framework.
“Fusion energy holds the potential to power the entire country with a sustainable supply of nearly unlimited, reliable, and carbon-free electricity. The breakthrough of fusion ignition at California’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a key step toward meeting our nation’s critical clean energy goals and cementing U.S. leadership in fusion energy. We now need clear regulatory authority to scale up commercial American fusion energy facilities and incentivize fusion investments.”
Senator Alex Padilla (D – CA)
“Fusion energy offers a potential clean, safe power source that can help meet our nation’s energy needs. I am proud to support advancements in fusion technology as part of Texas’ all-of-the-above energy economy.”
Senator Cornyn (R – TX)
“New Jersey has long been at the forefront of fusion research and innovation, driving the future of clean energy. By implementing this regulatory framework, this bill will propel fusion energy forward as a potential source of abundant carbon-free energy. I’m proud to join my colleagues to champion legislation that will unlock the potential of fusion to combat climate change and drive economic growth.”
Senator Booker (D – NJ)
“Our bipartisan bill marks a pivotal step in advancing fusion energy, which has the potential to usher in a new era of energy production in America. By establishing a clear regulatory framework, this bill would improve the research and development of fusion capabilities, enabling commercialization and reaffirming American leadership in innovation and technology.
Senator Young (R – IN)
“Fusion energy holds tremendous promise as a source of clean, cheap, and abundant energy—and Washington state is quickly becoming a global leader in the development of fusion. Our legislation will help provide the certainty needed to speed fusion research, development, and deployment—unlocking more clean power and bringing down energy costs for families. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues to realize the promise of fusion energy and ensure the United States, and Washington state in particular, maintain our leadership on this groundbreaking technology.”
Senator Murray (D – WA)
“Clear guidance through an appropriate regulatory framework is essential to the emerging fusion field. LLNL looks forward to partnering with Sen. Padilla and others in Congress in support of U.S. leadership in fusion energy, as the Lab continues to set historic records in fusion at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) — our unique national security experimental facility that supports the Nation’s strategic deterrent and provides fundamental data that also paves the way toward a fusion energy future.”
Dr. Kimberly Budil, Laboratory Director, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
“The Fusion Industry Association (FIA) has consistently supported regulatory and legislative efforts to provide certainty in the regulation of fusion energy. We support efforts to permanently and completely separate the regulation of fusion energy from the regulation of fission, and look forward to continuing to work with Members of Congress to see this enacted into law.”
Andrew Holland, Chief Executive Officer, Fusion Industry Association
Read the bill text in full. You can also read the legislation recently passed in the House, introduced by Fusion Energy Caucus co-chairs Representatives Beyer, Fleischmann, Trahan, and Obernolte. The US bills align well with the United Kingdom’s enactment of legislation in October 2023 to codify the country’s fusion regulations.
The Fusion Industry Association supports legislative efforts to permanently and completely separate fusion energy regulations from nuclear fission, and stands ready to support.
