Chris Wright Discusses Fusion Energy During Hearing to Consider His Nomination as U.S. Secretary of Energy
|

Chris Wright Discusses Fusion Energy During Hearing to Consider His Nomination as U.S. Secretary of Energy

ByCaroline

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. 

FIA Urges Fusion Prioritization in US FY26 Budget Request
|

FIA Urges Fusion Prioritization in US FY26 Budget Request

ByCaroline

The United States is at an inflection point in its pursuit of commercial fusion energy. To meet the goal of deploying fusion power within the next decade, the current federal funding levels and priorities are insufficient. While the U.S. has been a leader in fusion research, countries like China are dramatically increasing their efforts, putting…

Fusion Industry Association Launches U.S. Strategic Priorities Document Ahead of Election
|

Fusion Industry Association Launches U.S. Strategic Priorities Document Ahead of Election

ByCaroline

The Fusion Industry Association launched its election vision document on “Bringing Fusion Energy to the U.S. Grid”, laying out key priorities and asks ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The time for action is now. Industry and global government activity is accelerating and will not wait. The decisions made by the next President and Congress will be pivotal, determining, by the end of the President’s first term, whether the U.S. remains at the forefront of commercializing fusion energy or cedes its leadership.

U.S. Senate Hosts Hearing on Fusion Development and Commercialization
|

U.S. Senate Hosts Hearing on Fusion Development and Commercialization

ByCaroline

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. 

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $4.6m in 2024 INFUSE Public-Private Partnership Awards
|

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $4.6m in 2024 INFUSE Public-Private Partnership Awards

ByCaroline

On August 8, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded $4.6 million in 17 public-private partnership awards through the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program, further driving fusion acceleration by collaboration between industry, national labs, and universities.

FIA Responds to U.S. Department of Energy RFI on Public-Private Consortium Framework
|

FIA Responds to U.S. Department of Energy RFI on Public-Private Consortium Framework

ByCaroline

As fusion technology transitions from the lab to commercialization, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) firmly believes in the acceleration that comes with thoughtful private and public sector collaboration. The U.S. Department of Energy’s recent Request for Information (RFI) on the Fusion Energy Public-Private Consortium Framework (PPCF) presents an opportunity to bridge the science and technology gaps crucial for achieving commercial fusion power.

FIA Releases Letter to U.S. Treasury on Clean Energy Tax Credits Inclusion of Fusion 
|

FIA Releases Letter to U.S. Treasury on Clean Energy Tax Credits Inclusion of Fusion 

ByCaroline

On August 1st, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) submitted a letter commenting on the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) forthcoming guidance on Certain Energy Generation Incentives (Notice 2022-49) as enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This letter represents the consensus view of the FIA that the inclusion of fusion in the § 45Y and § 48E credits would provide critical incentives and certainty as fusion moves to commercialization.

US Senate Passes ADVANCE Act, Including Legislation to Codify US Fusion Regulations
|

US Senate Passes ADVANCE Act, Including Legislation to Codify US Fusion Regulations

ByCaroline

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.

House Passes Annual Defense Bill Alongside Guidance Report Including Fusion
|

House Passes Annual Defense Bill Alongside Guidance Report Including Fusion

ByCaroline

On June 14, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the annual defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Alongside the bill, the House Committee on Armed Services released a Report on H.R. 8070 with additional views and guidance – including guidance on fusion energy sources, noting that “the committee believes that compact fusion power technologies, if matured to an appropriate level, could provide significant advantages to the Department of Defense.”