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).
On May 14th, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) sent a letter to Congress addressing the current draft of reconciliation legislation passed by the House Ways and Means Committee. The legislation overlooks a critical opportunity to support American innovation and energy security by advancing the growth of fusion energy as a source of safe, secure, and abundant energy. Congress could slow the deployment of fusion in the U.S. if they choose to sunset the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) technology-neutral investment tax credit (48E) and production tax credit (45Y), continue to exclude fusion components from the advanced manufacturing production credits (45X) of the Internal Revenue Code, and end the transferability of these credits. The letter emphasizes the importance of maintaining the credits to secure fusion deployment in the U.S., ensuring innovation and energy leadership.
“At a time when Washington is focused on budget cuts and government downsizing, one investment remains non-negotiable for America’s future: fusion energy.” Dr. Suresh Garimella, president of the University of Arizona, and Dr. Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for research and innovation, urge fusion prioritization in an op-ed for The Hill.
On March 11, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) sent a letter to Congress urging expansion of the advanced manufacturing production credit under § 45X of the Internal Revenue Code beyond renewables to include fusion energy technologies. As the U.S. faces surging energy demands driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, data centers, digital infrastructure and robust industrial and manufacturing growth, it is imperative that Congress invests in innovative, reliable, next-generation energy solutions like fusion. Supporting the domestic fusion energy supply chain will make sure that technology invented in America will be built in America.
On Wednesday afternoon at the FIA Annual Policy Conference, the bipartisan U.S. House Fusion Energy Caucus co-chairs reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating commercial fusion deployment. Reps. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Don Beyer (D-VA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), and Lori Trahan (D-MA) lead the Caucus, which works to further advance government activity in support of developing fusion power in the US.
The hearing to consider the nomination of Chris Wright to be Secretary of Energy happened on Wednesday, January 15th, in the U.S. Senate. Wright is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be Secretary of Energy, and would lead the Department of Energy (DOE) if sworn in. Wright is the CEO of Liberty Energy, an oilfield services firm, and studied fusion energy at MIT. He brings both an engineering and entrepreneurial background to the position.
On January 7, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) sent a letter to Congress supporting the technology-neutral clean energy generation tax incentives enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. For the first time, fusion power can benefit from the same financial incentives long enjoyed by other clean technologies encouraging development in the US. This provides crucial support as the global race to fusion deployment continues.
On September 19, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a full committee hearing to examine fusion energy technology development and commercialization efforts. Witnesses included Dr. Jean Paul Allain, Associate Director of the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) at the U.S. Department of Energy; Jackie Siebens, Director of Public Affairs at FIA member Helion Energy; and Dr. Patrick White, Research Director at the Nuclear Innovation Alliance.
To lead on fusion energy, the US needs to make strategic, investments. The FIA recommends a one-time supplemental appropriation of $3 billion.
On June 18, in a bipartisan vote, the Senate passed the ADVANCE Act, including legislation that will codify fusion energy regulations separate from nuclear fission. The Bill is now headed to the President’s desk for signature; once signed into law, the United States will be the second country to enact specific fusion regulations into law – following the United Kingdom’s enactment of fusion regulatory legislation in October 2023.