How U.S. states can attract fusion power plants: A new CFS white paper
Image source: USGS
Fusion, the power source of the sun, is coming to Earth as a disruptive new energy technology.
But what if you want safe, clean fusion energy to come not just to the world, but to your state? Our experience might help you out. This post offers a quick look at what’s important, but we’ve also published a white paper on U.S. state actions to attract commercial fusion development. You can download it here or read the embedded version below.
We fervently believe that fusion energy will help humanity, supporting economic growth, boosting energy security, meeting rising power demand, and supporting electric vehicles and other electrification technology.
If you’re not familiar with fusion, it’s the process that powers the stars when lightweight elements like hydrogen fuse into heavier ones like helium. That releases tremendous amounts of energy, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is designing power plants that can capture that fusion power and convert it to electricity.
We expect our first ARC fusion power plant will start putting watts on the grid in Chesterfield County, Virginia, in the early 2030s. Here at CFS, we’re often asked about the right policies states can implement to attract the fusion industry and tap into the benefits that fusion energy promises. We know firsthand what can be encouraging and what can be a deterrent to companies like us that are developing fusion power plants in the coming years.
A global race for fusion is shaping up: there are now 53 fusion energy companies around the world that have raised over $10 billion in capital. With more than half of the fusion industry located in the U.S., states have a unique opportunity to lead the way in deploying this new energy source within their borders. Ultimately, leading in fusion energy will mean leading in economic development opportunities and clean energy technology.
Becoming the leader in commercial fusion power takes a willingness to be innovative with policy. While we acknowledge each state is different, the following high level policy ideas are a starting point for consideration for states wanting to attract private fusion companies such as CFS and wanting to be at the forefront of clean, firm, dispatchable, and affordable energy. As CFS works to bring fusion power to the grid, we appreciate the chance to talk and partner with states to explore how to adopt innovative policy structures to support fusion power generation development.
Adopt pad-ready siting policies
- Appropriately fund brownfield redevelopment or remediation programs to lessen the financial burden on brownfield redevelopers and encourage brownfield siting and development of pad-ready sites bringing economic benefits to former energy communities.
- Support site-prep readiness through grant or incentive programs that would allow fusion power developers to get reimbursed for their site prep work.
- Ensure adequate liability relief through mechanisms such as extensive “covenants not to sue” for companies redeveloping brownfield sites.
Enable fast-track approvals
- Provide certainty with permitting and other approval processes to ensure a fast path to deploy fusion power on the grid.
Define fusion energy within state statutes
- Proactively define “fusion energy” within state statutes to appropriately categorize this new energy source.
- Include fusion within existing statutory definitions for “zero-carbon” or “clean energy” to ensure that fusion qualifies for the same benefits as other zero-carbon or clean energy sources.
- Include fusion in state policies incentivizing clean, and/or clean, baseload, power.
Extend clean tech and clean energy incentives to fusion
- Offer fusion energy the same sales and use tax exemptions, tax credits, low-cost loans, grants, and property tax exemptions that are available to other clean energy sources.
Enable in-state radiological licensing
- Become an Agreement State with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Today, there are 39 Agreement States — states that signed agreements with the NRC to assume authority over certain radioactive materials, including byproduct material. Because fusion machines are regulated within the byproduct material framework, Agreement States have the authority to regulate fusion machines, like other particle accelerators.
- Identify state and federal funding mechanisms to support Agreement State staff working on radioactive materials licensing to ensure that Agreement State regulators have the necessary resources and expertise to appropriately assess fusion machines.
- Create an open-access licensing registry for approved fusion projects, allowing other regulators across the country to benefit from successful fusion project applications.
As companies such as CFS make decisions on fusion deployment in the U.S., we’ll look to states with fusion-friendly environments. If you’re in state government, we invite you to reach out to learn more about CFS and our plan to bring commercial fusion energy to market.
