FPN12-34

FESAC Launches New Priorities Study

June 27, 2012

The DOE Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (FESAC) has launched a new assessment "of priorities among and within the elements of the magnetic fusion energy sciences program." The study was requested by DOE Office of Science Director William F. Brinkman in the wake of President Obama's Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal to reduce funding for the (non-ITER) US domestic fusion effort by $48 M (16%). Brinkman states in an April 13 charge letter to FESAC, "Note that General Plasma Science and High-Energy-Density Laboratory Physics programs" and US contributions to ITER "are not part of this charge".

FESAC has established a panel under the chairmanship of FESAC member Bob Rosner (U, Chicago). They are asked to "prioritize among and within the FY 2013 elements of the non-ITER magnetic fusion portion of the Fusion Energy Sciences program" under three budget cases: (1) "the 2013 Presidential budget request level of effort", (2) "a restoration of the budget to the 2012 level for that part of the program", and (3) "a program that has a substantially enhanced emphasis on fusion materials science".

Brinkman gave the FESAC no target date to complete the study but sources indicate FESAC hopes to complete the study by the end of this summer.

The charge letter and list of panel and FESAC members are posted at: http://fire.pppl.gov