FPN12-41

FESAC Priorities Subpanel White Papers Posted

August 19, 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 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".

The panel has received a large number of presentations at public meetings and also a large number of "white papers" from members of the fusion community. These are now posted on

http://fire.pppl.gov

To find them, scroll down to the July 31 posting that starts out "FESAC Panel on MFE Priorities". Other postings can also be found by scrolling down to the July 18 posting. Members of the panel and the charge letter can be found by scrolling down to the July 5 posting.