The bipartisan Senate Fusion Energy Caucus was created in 2024 by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-M). The Senate Fusion Energy Caucus serves as a resource for staff and members, providing information and events on legislative priorities, appropriations, industry needs and efforts, stakeholder views, and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) programs relevant to fusion energy.
The aim of the Caucus is to promote and secure sustained public and political support for essential research and development, testing and demonstration, private-public partnerships, workforce development, and other necessary investments for the successful deployment of commercial fusion energy.
· U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine)
· U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)
· U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.)
· U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.)
· U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)
1/31/2024: Member Event – What is Fusion Energy?
Member attendees: Senators Heinrich (D-N.M.), Hassan (D-N.H.), King (I-Maine), Rosen (D-Nev.), Coons (D-Del.) and Representatives Beyer (D-Va.), Trahan (D-Mass.), Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Tonko (D-N.Y.), Brownley (D-Calif.)
This event featured presentations from Dr. Jean Paul Allain, Associate Director of Science for Fusion Energy Sciences, DOE; Dr. Dennis Whyte, Former Director, Plasma Science and Fusion Center, MIT; and Andrew Holland, CEO, Fusion Industry Association. The discussion focused on the basics of fusion energy, global status of fusion development, and economic benefits and challenges.
4/25/2024: Staff Event – Fusion Energy FY25 Appropriations Priorities
This virtual meeting with Dr. Jean Paul Allain, Associate Director of Science for Fusion Energy Sciences, DOE; Dr. Scott Hsu, Lead Fusion Coordinator, DOE; Alyse Huffman, Professional Staff Member, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Dr. Adam Rosenberg, Democratic Staff Director, Energy Subcommittee, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Discussion focused on a review of FY25 President’s Budget Request for Fusion Energy Sciences, recommendations in FESAC report and Bold Decadal vision, and the Milestone-Based Fusion Development program. Discussion focused on a review of FY25 President’s Budget Request for Fusion Energy Sciences, recommendations in FESAC report and Bold Decadal vision, and the Milestone-Based Fusion Development program.
7/30/2024: Staff Event – Status of the Global Fusion Industry
This event hosted Dr. Colleen Nehl, Program Manager, DOE Office of Fusion Energy;
Andrew Holland, CEO, Fusion Industry Association; Julien Barber, Climate Growth
Stage Investor and Emerson Collective; and Josef Majkut, Director, Energy
Security and Climate Change Program. The discussion focused on global investment trends in fusion energy and associated opportunities and challenges of public-private partnerships