May 9, 1997

FPN97-15 Fusion Program Notes

Congressional Support Letters

Led by Representatives Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) and Tim Roemer (D-IN), seventy seven members of the U.S. House of Representatives (29 Republicans and 48 Democrats) from 17 states, wrote a letter to Rep. Joseph M. McDade, Chair of the Subcommitee on Energy and Water Development, House Committee on Appropriations, expressing their strong support for the U.S. Fusion program. They urged Dade's committee to provide funding "for no less than the Department's requested level of $225 million for FY 1998."

The letter said, "Right now, scientific progress towards harnessing fusion energy has never been more rapid or profound." They said that recent budget cuts, totalling 40%, "have slowed down important aspects of fusion and plasma research and have sent a negative signal to bright university students who might consider pursuing a career in this field."

The representatives said that "The Fusion Energy Sciences program encompasses exactly the type of research the federal government should support -- fundamental science -- not ready for investment by the private sector, but with critically important long-term benefits. In particular, it ultimately promises to provide a safe, environmentally friendly and virtually unlimited energy source." They said that "the fusion program has already been cut to the point that important and productive facilities are being closed down. At this time, continuity and adequate resources are what the fusion research community needs to continue to be productive. We therefore urge you as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, to stop further cuts to the fusion budget and to provide for adequate funding of this very important program in Fiscal Year 1998."

A similar letter, signed by 80 representatives (including 3 from the Appropriations Committee who felt it inappropriate to sign the other letter), was sent to Rep. James Sensenbrenner, chair of the Committee on Science. The Science Committee recently reported out a bill recommending that $240 million, $15 million more than the President requested, be allocated to fusion in FY 1998.

Many members of the fusion community, under the dynamic leadership of Mark Haynes, head of General Atomics Washington Office, participated in the effort to convince their representatives to sign this letter. For a complete list of the signators, contact Mark (haynes@ga.radix.net).

For more information, contact: Stephen O. Dean