Lori Trahan: “I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this important issue as ranking member of the House Energy…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this important issue as ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan legislation, in particular, the important changes it makes to how we regulate commercial fusion energy. Last spring, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission took an important vote to regulate commercial fusion energy under its existing regulatory framework--specifically, the byproduct materials framework. This was a critical step toward unlocking commercialized fusion energy, and it was made possible by a recognition that fusion does not need to be regulated the same way as fission. Since then, the Congressional Fusion Energy Caucus, which I have the honor of co-chairing alongside Representatives Don Beyer, Jay Obernolte, and Chuck Fleischmann, put pen to paper on the Fusion Energy Act, which will codify the Commission's decision and provide the fusion industry the regulatory certainty that it needs to continue pursuing their innovative research and development. During consideration of this package in December, we offered the Fusion Energy Act as an amendment, which was adopted unanimously and is included in this legislation today. I cannot overstate the importance of passing this package because fusion is the game changer. A future with fusion means thousands of good-paying, family-sustaining, clean energy jobs that we will create along the way.…”