I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4564
To reorient the Department of Energy’s fusion energy research program
toward development of commercially viable fusion power systems, and
for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 10, 1994
Mr. SWETT introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology
A BILL
To reorient the Department of Energy’s fusion energy re-
search program toward development of commercially via-
ble fusion power systems, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Fusion Energy Re-
search Accountability Act of 1994’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) the Federal fusion research program rep-
resents an important national investment;
(2) over the last 40 years, United States tax-
payers have paid almost $10,000,000,000 for re-
search on fusion energy;
(3) fusion energy has the potential to be a safe,
secure, and affordable source of energy for thou-
sands of years;
(4) the Department of Energy’s fusion energy
program, which is focused almost exclusively on the
deuterium-tritium fuel cycle and the tokamak con-
cept for plasma confinement, has demonstrated the
scientific feasibility of fusion;
(5) recent studies from Department of Energy
laboratories, recent utility panels, and many in the
fusion research community have said that the
tokamak concept may be too expensive, radioactive,
and complex to lead to a commercially viable power
reactor;
(6) the costs of developing a commercial
tokamak fusion reactor are estimated to be
$40,000,000,000 by the year 2040;
(7) Department of Energy advisory panels have
urged the Department to support research in alter-
native fusion concepts to broaden the base from
which an eventual fusion power reactor might
emerge;
(8) resource constraints, however, have resulted
in a severe reduction in research on alternative fu-
sion concepts;
(9) construction of large new tokamak devices
threatens funding for basic fusion research; and
(10) the Department of Energy, therefore,
should substantially reorient its magnetic fusion re-
search program by terminating planned construction
of new, large tokamak devices, and it should begin
a major effort on cleaner, cheaper, alternative con-
cepts that have the potential of becoming commer-
cially viable.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘commercially viable’’ means—
(A) able to attract private sector capital;
(B) requiring low operation and mainte-
nance costs, including fuel costs;
(C) reliable with continuous operational ca-
pability;
(D) requiring limited personnel resources;
(E) having low plant design complexity;
(F) requiring low end-of-life costs;
(G) emitting acceptable volumes of waste;
(H) relatively easy to site, including low
plant space requirements; and
(I) safe;
(2) the term ‘‘Department’’ means the Depart-
ment of Energy; and
(3) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of Energy.
SEC. 4. ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall convene a
fusion policy advisory panel consisting of representatives
from the electric utilities, environmental and citizen
groups, energy policy analysts, advocates of alternative fu-
sion technologies, and others as necessary to ensure a
broad representation of interests.
(b) PURPOSE.—The panel shall analyze the wisdom
of a single, narrow approach to fusion power, and shall
develop recommendations for a plan for the future of
United States fusion energy research, ensuring that ade-
quate attention is given to alternative fusion concepts.
Such recommendations shall be developed in consideration
of the findings of this Act with the goal of the development
of a commercially viable fusion power system, and shall
take into account any international agreements the United
States is party to and recommend any appropriate
changes thereto.
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Within 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the panel shall issue
a report to the Congress with its recommendations.
SEC. 5. UNITED STATES FUSION ENERGY RESEARCH PRO-
GRAM.
(a) PROGRAM PLAN.—The Secretary shall develop,
and within 270 days after the date of enactment of this
Act transmit to the Congress, a comprehensive manage-
ment plan for the United States fusion energy research
program which is based on the recommendations of the
panel under section 4. The plan shall provide for a fusion
research program which is focused on fusion concepts that
could lead to the development of a commercially viable fu-
sion power system. The plan shall include specific program
objectives, cost estimates, and program management re-
source requirements.
(b) INDEPENDENT
EVALUATION.—The Secretary
shall establish a mechanism for ongoing independent eval-
uation of the United States fusion energy research pro-
gram, in order to ensure that programs not leading to a
commercially viable fusion power system are terminated.
(c) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Within 2 years after
the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years there-
after, the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a re-
port describing the progress made in meeting the program