FPN13-59
Columnist George Will Urges Fusion Effort
December 22, 2013
In an opinion piece December 20, columnist George F. Will says of the
world scientific effort to achieve fusion energy, "their achievement
will be more transformative of human life than any prior scientific
achievement". He notes, "Fusion research here and elsewhere is supported
by nations with half the world's population". He says, "By one estimate,
to bring about a working fusion reactor in 20 years would cost $30
billion - approximately the cost of one week of U.S. energy
consumption".
"Given the societal will, commercially feasible production of fusion
energy is possible in the lifetime of most people now living", he
opines. He concludes, "Because of its large scale and long time horizon,
the fusion project is a perfect example of a public good the private
sector cannot pursue and the public sector should not slight."
The article is posted at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/george-f-will-the-fusion-in-our-future/2013/12/20/73c28c2a-68d4-11e3-ae56-22de072140a2_story.html