The Subcommittee recommended $499 M for the DOE Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (OFES), an increase of $212.5 M over FY 2008 and $6 M above the President's request level. The Subcommittee said that it was providing $214 M for ITER, as requested by the President and $24.6 M for High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas research. They said that the additional $6 M "as well as the funding which had been requested for NCSX and is not required for closeout are to be utilized by the Department to help revitalize the domestic fusion energy sciences program."

The Subcommittee said "Given the tremendous potential of fusion energy to provide a long-term solution to our energy needs, this Committee believes it is essential that the U.S. continue to play a leadership role in this area. To this end, the Department is directed to provide the Committee with a report no later than March 1, 2009 which describes a bold, credible plan for a world-leading U.S. fusion program as this area becomes an increasingly international endeavor."

The Subcommittee also provided strong support for inertial fusion within the DOE's National Nuclear Security Administration. They recommended $508 M, an increase of $86.8 above the President's request. Included in the Subcommittee's mark: $68.3 M for the University of Rochester ($10 M above the President's request), $25.6 M for High Average Power Laser (HAPL) program (no funds were requested), $15 M for the Naval Research Laboratoty (no funds were requested), and increases above the President's request for Ignition, NIF Diagnostics, Pulsed Power Inertial Confinement Fusion and Facility Operations and Target Production.

The Subcommittee's recommendations must be passed by the full House of Representatives and merged with Senate action still pending. Most observers fear that no final action on FY 2009 appropriations bills will occur until after the November election.

The House passed a FY 2008 supplemental appropriations bill that provided an additional $62.5 M for the DOE Office of Science to be used to prevent personnel layoffs at laboratories. No mention of additional funding for ITER in FY 2008 was in the measure. The Senate has yet to act on the FY 2008 supplemental.

Details of the Congressional actions are posted at http://fire.pppl.gov