Friends -

Please forgive my presumption in sharing my response to Stephen O. Dean's "GAO Critiques" note of Oct. 29, 2007 (FPN07-58). As a casual, nonscientific observer of the fusion energy scene I continue to be frustrated by the lack of awareness on the part of both the general public, Congress and the executive branch regarding both the potential and development imperatives of fusion power. My assumption is that all, most or some of you play significant roles in fusion power R&D and share my frustration with what I think could be fairly called a barely coordinated, low-priority attitude with regard to fusion power in both USG policy and American public dialog.

While I am hardly in a position to speak critically about the current state of affairs, I think we all would agree that the combination of global warming, ever-rising energy prices and future energy needs compel a more refined, focused and financed approach to fusion power in such diverse areas as basic physics, materials sciences, device technology, electrical energy storage and distribution and so on. And at the national level increased awareness on the part of politicians and policy makers of the potential and comparative costs of fusion power development.

Part of the problem, of course, is the inability of both public and commercial interests to discern the distinction between basic science and technological development; another are constraints placed on fusion power by competing technological, industrial, agricultural and regional interests. Noting all of this, the tasks of leadership associated with progressive action in any epoch are no less incumbent upon those of us who sense the potential of fusion in any epoch. Put another way, the "institutional advancement," (capacity building, fundraising, promotion and outreach) that is a fundamental "process" in academe might bear further examination by FPA members and supporters. As a science and technology initiative that should be stirring the imagination of the American people, fusion power instead seems to be lost in the shadows, the excellent work of ITER and NIF notwithstanding.

How many of you have devoted your careers in pursuit of what many of your colleagues view as no more than a distant chimera? How many have watched budgets in basic physical sciences diminish over the years (or fall fare behind that of other disciplines) while life sciences have captured the interest of gifted students who might otherwise be attracted to high-energy physics and the cluster of other disciplines that inform fusion power?

While my own ability to speak to these issues is limited (I am an itinerant writer and marketer, with some experience in the technology sector and a general interest in policy development.), I have no doubt that you as a group and individually have the potential to lead the way forward in addressing some of the issues I have raised here today. Like yourself my time and means are limited. However, it does not seem extreme to me to say the fate of the nation and even the planet is in large part contained in our ability to produce, store and distribute clean, low-cost power.

Toward this end I am willing to pursue a discussion and call upon you, the larger academic community, our political representatives at the national and state level and leaders in industry and commerce to come to terms with this imperative: The creation of a viable means to produce fusion power, whether achieved through international collaboration or a national effort, must be planned, funded and accelerated in ways far beyond the current level of coordination and support.

This mandate and vision, to you whose careers and efforts are at stake, must be far more apparent and compelling to you than me. But the potential of your efforts, mooted by a host of factors, appears to remain clouded by contention and lack of understanding. Thus a question I am sure you have all considered to the point of somnolence arises once again: What is to be done?

My sincere thanks for your interest and indulgence and all the best as you work toward fulfilling the dream of fusion power in what I am sure are imaginative and highly productive ways.

Peter S. Golden (10/29/07) - PS - Please send me a word or two if you wish to be excluded from any future comment on my part and accept my apologies for intruding on your time. - PG

Peter Golden
The Golden Group
5 Vermont Ave.
Natick, MA 01760
508-655-5999 (Voice)
800-660-6369 (Fax)
petewrites@aol.com
www.goldenpr.com