FPN04-15

Fusion in DOE's Strategic Plan

March 9, 2004

The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science has published a Strategic Plan. In it, Office of Science director Ray Orbach says that, among other things, the Office provides "solutions to our Nation's energy challenges." In a section titled "Our Vision," the Plan states, "We envision a future where our contributions . . . have transformed the world as we know it."

With respect to fusion, the Plan states: "The President has made achieving commercial fusion power the highest long-term priority for our Nation. Our challenge is to develop a science-based solution that harnesses fusion energy to power our industry and homes. We will do this by joining an international burning plasma experiment, ITER, and exploring other promising technologies."

The Plan states that, by 2023, "having completed key experiments, the promise of fusion power -- clean, almost limitless energy -- is closer than ever."

The Executive Summary of the Plan is posted at: http://www.science.doe.gov/Sub/Mission/Strategic_Plan/Executive_Summary.pdf