The USFG should fully fund the ITER program until its completion. (Policy Debate Aff)

Resolved: The USFG should substantially increase its AE incentives in the US. Plan: The USFG will fund ITER till its completion in 2016. Observation 1 is Inherency: Frank Munger, 2008 (staff writer, July 3rd, Lexis) Oak Ridge is home to the U.S. effort on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, a huge project. The fiscal 2008 budget approved earlier by Congress slashed the spending for ITER - allotting only $10.7 million, instead of the proposed $160 million - and endangered U.S. participation in the project Obv. 2 Solvency. Funding is imperative to the ITER project Munger 2008 Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason said supplemental funding will be used to keep the U.S. team together and sustain operations. More than $200 million is being sought for the ITER project. Additional funds for this year were particularly important because the government may operate under a continuing budget resolution for the first six months of fiscal 2009 and freeze spending levels or impose other restrictions. Only the federal government can solve DOE, 2008 Since we are the government are the only ones who can control what goes on with nuclear power we are the only way that ITER has a chance. Fusion is the only way to stop Global Warming Wilkerson, 2008 (professor of climate sciences, July 29, Lexis) Since Global Warming is a major problem there is only one way to stop it and that is through a fusion reactor specifically ITER which is in need of funding. With that we can solve the great problem of global warming. It will only take 8 years to have the reactor up and running producing power for the world US Department of Energy, 2008 When we get the funding for the ITER program it will only be eight years for the project to begin producing power. The ITER will allow the U.S. to transition to a hydrogen-based economy: The U.S. Department of Energy, 2006 (http://www.science.doe.gov...) Another key advantage of fusion energy over current methods of electricity generation is that it can produce hydrogen with no carbon emissions. Thus, ITER may contribute to a hydrogen-based economy of the future. There is no waste from an ITER reactor just Helium-3 a non-radioactive isotope of Helium. US Gov. 2008 Fusion combines two isotopes of hydrogen deuterium and tritium which makes helium-3 a non radioactive isotope of hydrogen Other nations will model the US energy policies, like ITER Global Power Report, 2008 Because other countries have the same urgent needs and therefore will adopt our ideas, for the rest of the world," The energy project should focus on developing nuclear fusion, especially through the international ITER project. ITER is safe and viable Calder, 2008 ITER will be the world's largest fusion facility and is a fusion power plant that is safe and reliable, environmentally responsible and economically viable, with abundant and widespread fuel resources. ITER reactor will provide a limitless supply of safe energy: Tatiana Sinitsyna, 2008 ITER could provide an unlimited source of energy. Some people compare it to an artificial sun, Physicists have long dreamed of harnessing thermonuclear fusion, which is much safer than nuclear energy. Thermonuclear reactors cannot explode the way the Chernobyl nuclear power plant did. Be skeptical of the negative evidence; fear Fusion Lovelock 2004 Opposition to nuclear energy is based on irrational fear fed by Hollywood-style fiction, the Green lobbies and the media. These fears are unjustified, and nuclear energy has proved to be the safest of all energy Adv 1. Global Warming The earth is warming and we have only 15 years until the impacts will happen. Pentagon Report 2004 Global Warming leads to the end of all life on earth. Buencamino, 2004 It's try or die for the Aff we have a systemic impact that's happening now. Bauch 2008 Since global warming is happening now, we must solve it or we will all die. Fusion is the best way to stop Global Warming Borland, 2007 Slowing the rate of Global Warming is enough to solve. Reuters, 1999 Global warming is becoming the biggest problem and it's so easy to solve all we need to do is slightly slow it and we are fine. Global Warming is a systemic impact and must be looked at first in the round. Wilkerson, 2008 The most likely way the human race is going to die is from the great demon of global warming and it must be stopped because it is happening now. Adv. 2 Soft Power The United States is number one in hegemony Nye, 2008 The US is the leader in hegemony and must maintain that to insure that it can control what it wants. The US is key to get other nations to follow in the fight against Global warming Smyth, 2008 If the US does the ITER project it will show the world that we are committed to solving global warming, and get countries to come along ITER is key to retain hege US Department of Energy, 2006 The US is losing its creditability in the world and the ITER project is the best way to retain it. Technological and scientific leadership is critical to maintain overall U.S. leadership: Zalmay Khalilzad, 1995 To sustain and improve its economic strength, the United States must maintain its technological lead in the economic realm. Its success will depend on the choices it makes. If the United States fails to recognize the change and adapt its institutions, its relative position will necessarily worsen. To remain the preponderant world power, U.S. economic strength must be enhanced by further improvements in productivity, and by generating and using superior science and technology. Adv. 3 Oil dependence US is addicted to foreign oil Cap Hill Press Release, 2008 The US imports over 70% of its oil and we have shown no signs of getting off of it so we will stay addicted to it until something is done. Continue to use oil fuels terrorism Beres, 1999 Oil is the main source of money for terrorists and to keep buying it is going to fuel it even more Fusion decreases our dependence on foreign oil and saves our economy Huber, 2005 The best thing we can do to decrease the Middle East's hold on us is to turn off the spigot ourselves. For economic, ecological, and geopolitical reasons, U.S. policymakers ought to promote ITER on the supply side, wherever they reasonably can. Failure to stop use of foreign oil leads to war Hart, 2007 To believe that military intervention is the key to security is to badly miss the point. We would liberate our foreign and defense policies, contribute substantially to solving climate change, make our livelihood more secure, liberate resources for education and health, and dramatically increase our sense of genuine security. The ITER will allow the U.S. to transition to a hydrogen-based economy: The U.S. Department of Energy, 2006 (http://www.science.doe.gov...) Another key advantage of fusion energy over current methods of electricity generation is that it can produce hydrogen with no carbon emissions. Thus, ITER may contribute to a hydrogen-based economy of the future. Adv. 3 Air pollution Coal power plants kill over 24k a year Margonelli, 2008 Nukes in the United States haven't killed anyone outright, while air pollution from coal is known to cause 24,000 deaths a year. Air Pollution threatens billions Roberts, 2002 In the US, air pollution claims 70,000 lives annually. U.S. air pollution deaths are equal to deaths from breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. This scourge of cities in industrial and developing countries alike threatens the health of billions of people ITER solves Air pollution Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2008 Unfortunately, there is little public discussion about the enormous benefits of expanding the use of nuclear power, let alone celebrations. The great environmental advantage