FPN17-30

Senate Appropriations Committee Recommends Massive FY2018 Fusion Energy Budget Cut

July 21, 2017

The US Senate Appropriations Committee has recommended a massive cut for fusion energy for FY 2018. The Committee recommended $232 million, compared to $395 million recommended by the House Appropriations Committee and $310 million proposed by the President. The current (FY2017) fusion energy appropriation is $380 million. The Senate Committee recommended no funding for continued US participation in the international ITER project.

The US House of Representatives Appropriations Committee had previously soundly rejected the draconian budget cut to the US fusion energy program, as proposed by President Trump in his Fiscal Year 2018 budget proposal.

The House Appropriations Committee recommended $395 million (including $63 million for ITER) for fusion energy, compared to $310 million (including $63 million for ITER) requested by the President. The current (FY 2017) fusion energy appropriation is $380 million.

Links to both Senate and House Appropriations Committee reports are posted on the new FIRE site at: http://firefusionpower.org