From: rsherme@diamond.nswc.navy.mil (Russel Shermer (R43))
Newsgroups: sci.research
Subject: fyi #109: Senate Appropriations Committee Report: Fusion
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:37:49 GMT
Organization: NAVSWC DD White Oak Det.

Posted for:
Public Information Division
American Institute of Physics
Contact:  Richard M. Jones
Phone: (202) 332-9661
Email: fyi@aip.org

Senate Appropriations Committee Report: Fusion

FYI No. 109, August 12, 1992

Accompanying all appropriations bills is a report written by
committee staff providing the committee's recommendations on how
agencies should spend the money which is appropriated to them.
Although these reports are not binding, federal agencies are
usually quite reluctant to implement policies contrary to those of
the committee which has jurisdiction over their budget.  Both the
House and Senate Appropriations Committees write reports, with a
final "conference report" issued to accompany the final bill.

Below are selected portions of Senate Report 102-344, accompanying
H.R. 5373, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for
fiscal year 1993, as it pertains to fusion.  The House
Appropriations Committee has also released its energy and water
development report; see FYI #82 for information on fusion.

Magnetic Fusion:

Current funding:                         $337,100,000
Administration request for FY 93:         359,710,000
House bill:                               339,710,000
Senate bill:                             $335,000,000

"The goal of this program is to establish the scientific and
technological base required for achieving magnetic fusion energy.
The target for completion of magnetic fusion development is
determined by the present technical, economic, and political
uncertainties of energy supply.  Given timescales for the
resolution of these uncertainties, it follows that the scientific
and technological base for fusion should be essentially available
by the turn of the century.

"Because of severe budget constraints, the Committee has provided
$335,000,000 for the Magnetic Fusion Energy Research Program and
endorses a magnetic fusion energy program that can lead to an
ultimate long-term advanced energy source for the country while
broadening our understanding of plasma science and developing
advanced technologies.

"The Committee notes with approval that an agreement to proceed
with the engineering design activity [EDA] phase of the
international thermonuclear engineering experiment [ITER] has been
signed by all participants and directs the Department to remain a
full and vigorous partner.  The sum of $60,000,000 is included for
ITER.  U.S. funds provided for ITER should be contracted to
industry, national laboratory, and university teams, with prototype
engineering and construction performed by U.S. industry.  The
Department is further directed to provide the Committee with a plan
for a competitive selection of a U.S. magnetic fusion energy
development site by February 1, 1993.  This site should be proposed
as a candidate site for future ITER construction and operation.

"The Committee recognizes the technical progress that has been made
in the fusion program to date and notes the progress that the
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory [PPPL] has made in preparing
for full implementation of the deuterium-tritium [D-T] activities
on the tokamak fusion test reactor [TFTR].  The Department is
directed to commence full D-T operation on the TFTR in fiscal year
1993 to be completed by the end of fiscal year 1994.  The Committee
concurs with the two priority activities of the tokamak confinement
program for the period up to 1995 identified by the DOE's Fusion
Energy Advisory Committee as full D-T operation in TFTR and a
strong DIII-D program, both in support of ITER and tokamak physics
improvements.  Therefore, the Committee directs the Department to
assure that ITER, D-T in TFTR and the DIII-D program receive the
highest funding priority within the magnetic fusion program.

"Given the present budgetary constraints, the Department is
directed to prioritize the remaining magnetic fusion programs,
identifying their contribution to ITER, tokamak improvements, and
fusion technology.  The Department is also directed to provide the
Committee with a plan for consolidating its fusion effort into
fewer more effectively utilized facilities by February 1, 1993.


The following program is discussed under the Atomic Energy Defense
Activities portion of the report:


Inertial Confinement Fusion:

Current funding:                         $194,800,000
Administration request for FY 93:         195,000,000
House bill:                               212,310,000
Senate bill:                             $212,310,000

"The Committee recommendation for inertial confinement fusion is
$212,310,000, which include a recommendation of $181,300,000 for
operating expenses and $31,010,000 for capital equipment.  The
recommendation provides an increase of $12,900,000 for the
University of Rochester to maintain an efficient schedule for
upgrading the OMEGA laser.  The Committee continues to support the
very useful work performed by the Naval Research Laboratory [NRL]
and provides $5,457,000 to NRL for this effort.

"The Department is to review the Krypton Fluoride Program to insure
that activities are being carried out in an effective and efficient
manner.

"Recent information brought to the Committee's attention indicates
that additional funds may be needed in connection with this matter
either as a result of negotiated settlement or litigation.  Also,
concerns have been raised that any required additional funds would
seriously disrupt the ICF program.  Therefore, the Committee
recommends that, without prejudice to any negotiations or
litigation, any required additional funds are to be derived from
other sources available to the Department."



###############
Public Information Division
American Institute of Physics
Contact:  Richard M. Jones
(202) 332-9661
##END##########