The committee is now actively engaged in the drafting of its final report due out later this year. At this important stage in its work the committee invites the plasma science and fusion science communities to submit statements and comments relevant to its charge. Comments can be emailed to burningplasma@nas.edu.

They are charged with the following task:

The committee will carry out an assessment of a program of burning plasma experiments and its role in magnetic fusion research. The study will have three components.

* An assessment of the importance of a burning-plasma experimental program to (a) fusion energy sciences and technology and the development of fusion as an energy source, (b) plasma physics, and (c) science in general.

* An assessment of scientific and technical readiness to undertake a burning plasma experimental program.

* An independent review and assessment of the plan for the U.S. magnetic fusion burning plasma experimental program as developed by the Department of Energy through the FESAC and Snowmass processes. The committee will make recommendations on the program strategy aimed at maximizing the yield of scientific and technical understanding as the foundation for the future development of fusion as an energy source.

Criteria for judging experiments will include the prospects for (a) achieving technical objectives, (b) extracting scientific and technological understanding and making progress of broad and generic applicability, and (c) contributing to the next steps in the experimental program.

An interim report addressed the importance of the science and the readiness to undertake a burning plasma experiment. It provided interim advice to the Department of Energy regarding reentering negotiations to be a participant in a multinational burning plasma experiment (ITER). A copy of this interim letter report is available at http://books.nap.edu/html/BPAC/letter_report.pdf and at http://fire.pppl.gov

The Committee is not asked to evaluate fusion as an energy option. The committee will discuss and analyze the budget implications of its recommendations on program strategy but will not make budget recommendations per se.

Please note that all community input received shall be posted on the BPAC web site and made available through the NRC's public access file for this committee as required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

For further information on this committee check out the "Committees" page on the BPA web site www.national-academies.org/bpa.