The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is closing the public comment period for a proposed rule on fusion energy, with a final regulation expected as soon as this fall. Fusion electricity does not yet exist at commercial scale, but industry leaders view the regulatory action as essential for bringing fusion to market in the United States within the next decade. Fission splits heavy atoms, producing heat and long-lived radioactive waste, and requires extensive engineering and safety systems to prevent runaway reactions. Fusion combines light atoms to release energy like the process that powers stars, and it produces no long-lived radioactive waste. Regulators concluded in 2023 that fusion’s risk profile resembles medical and research radiation systems rather than nuclear fission.
"Most importantly, this rule makes clear that fusion energy is permanently and completely separated from the regulation of nuclear fission, states a letter the fusion trade group submitted to regulators Thursday ahead of next week's deadline, and reviewed by Axios."
"Federal regulators concluded in 2023 that fusion's risk profile is far closer to that of existing medical and research radiation systems instead of nuclear fission."
"Fusion, on the other hand, generates power by combining light atoms together to release energy - the same process that powers the stars - while producing no long-lived radioactive waste."
"The physics of fusion are inherently safe, said Greg Twinney, CEO of General Fusion, during an interview with Axios last week at Web Summit gathering in Vancouver, British Columbia."
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