On the same day, in a speech to fusion researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said, "But let me be clear, our decision to join ITER in no way means a lesser role for the fusion programs we undertake here at home. It is imperative that we maintain and enhance our strong domestic research program – at Princeton, at the universities and at our other labs. Critical science needs to be done in the U.S., in parallel with ITER, to strengthen our competitive position in fusion technology."