Representatives Sign Letter Supporting Strong Fusion Program

Nearly seventy Representatives signed an April 15 letter to the chairmen of the House appropriations and authorizing committees responsible for DOE, urging an FY 1997 funding level of $275 million for fusion energy research. The Fusion Energy Advisory Committee considered this the optimal of several proposed budget levels (see FYIs #13-16.) Sixty-five Members signed the letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Livingston (R-LA), and 68 Members signed the letter to House Science Committee Chairman Robert Walker (R-PA.) The letter was initiated by Reps. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) and Tim Roemer (D-IN), as was a February 15 letter to Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary and Presidential Science Advisor John Gibbons, also asking for support for fusion funding of $275 million (see FYI #26.) (The Energy Department requested $255.6 million.) The signatories to the April 15 letters are listed below:

*Signed only the Walker letter.

The text of the letter follows:

“As you begin consideration of the [FY 1997 Energy and Water Appropriations bill/FY 1997 science authorization bill], we are writing to urge your support for maintaining a strong U.S. program in fusion energy science and technology.

“As you are aware, two comprehensive reports on the fusion program have been issued within the past two years: the July, 1995 report of the President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and the January, 1996 Fusion Energy Advisory Council (FEAC) report. Both reports were performed by groups of eminent scientists and engineers predominantly from outside the fusion community. Most importantly, both reports contained very strong endorsements of the progress, promise and importance of plasma and fusion energy science.

“Recommending a minimum of $320 million for the fusion program, the PCAST report stated: `funding for fusion energy R&D by the federal government is an important investment in the development of an attractive and possibly essential new energy source for this country and the world in the middle of the next century and beyond.

This funding also sustains an important field of scientific research - plasma science - in which the United States is the world leader and which has generated a panoply of insights and techniques widely applicable in other fields of science and industry.’

“Subsequently, in the wake of reductions in the fusion budget from approximately $370 million in FY 1995 to $244 million in FY 1996, the FEAC report observed that despite this time of tremendous progress and opportunity in fusion, the historically strong U.S. leadership role in the world magnetic fusion energy program has come to an end.

“In response, the FEAC report sets three policy goals for restructuring the fusion energy program: advance plasma science in pursuit of national science and technology goals; develop fusion science, technology and plasma containment innovations as a central theme of the domestic program; and pursue energy science and technology as a partner on the international effort. This restructuring will allow the U.S. to maintain a vital program and keep a lead in certain key fusion and plasma science areas.

“As FEAC points out, a funding commitment significantly below $250 million will further adversely impact the productivity of the U.S. fusion facilities and severely strain our relationship with our international partners. We therefore urge you to accept the restructuring proposals and the funding level of $275 million as recommended by FEAC. Despite being a modest increase over the FY 1996 budget, this level is still approximately $95 million below the FY 1995 funding for this program.

“Although we all recognize that federal spending must be reduced, we must also recognize that there are some investments that are absolutely essential for our future and that private industry simply will not make. Fusion energy and plasma science are among these investments and we ask for your help.

“Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your support for this vitally important program.”

Copies of the letter were also sent to the chairs and ranking minority members of relevant House committees and subcommittees.