Gallagher Backs Bipartisan Bill to Keep America at Forefront of Fusion Energy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman James Gallagher (CA-01), a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing the American Leadership in Fusion Act, legislation aimed at accelerating the commercialization of fusion energy and ensuring the United States remains the global leader in the next generation of energy technology. 
 

The bipartisan legislation, led by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Jay Obernolte (CA-23), would provide $10 billion in direct investments for high-priority fusion research and commercialization efforts. Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08) and Lori Trahan (MA-03) also joined Gallagher as original sponsors. 
 

“Fusion energy represents a tremendous opportunity to strengthen American energy dominance, drive innovation, and create new opportunities for workers and businesses for the North State and across the nation,” said Congressman Gallagher. “This bipartisan bill makes critical investments to accelerate the commercialization of fusion, grow our research capabilities, and support the next generation of American talent. We must build on the breakthroughs happening across our national laboratories, universities, and private sector to ensure America remains at the forefront of fusion energy.”

The American Leadership in Fusion Act would make major investments in the research and infrastructure needed to move fusion technology toward commercial deployment. The legislation includes $3.8 billion for major new test facilities, along with $5 billion for milestone-based programs designed to move fusion technologies toward demonstration and deployment. It also provides funding for fusion materials and fuel-cycle research, smaller test facilities, and efforts to strengthen critical fusion supply chains.
 

The legislation would also establish an Office of Fusion within the Department of Energy, led by a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary for Fusion Energy, to coordinate federal fusion research and commercialization efforts.

Private investment in the fusion industry has accelerated as companies work to bring commercial fusion power to the grid. According to the Fusion Industry Association, the private fusion industry attracted a record $4.5 billion in investment over the past year.
 

“The private fusion industry has attracted a record $4.5 billion in investment over the past year, but to deploy in the U.S. within the next decade, it needs a strong partner in the federal government,” said Andrew Holland, Chief Executive Officer of the Fusion Industry Association. “The American Leadership in Fusion Act provides the DOE with the necessary guidance to support commercialization, along with the government resources needed to develop the infrastructure and grow the public-private partnerships accelerating fusion’s deployment.”
 

The legislation builds on recommendations from the bipartisan Special Competitive Studies Project’s Fusion Forward report and recent recommendations from the Department of Energy and the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee.

The bill has received support from fusion companies, research universities, energy organizations, and other groups working to advance commercial fusion in the United States.

Read the American Leadership in Fusion Act HERE.