#USA #Washington, D.C. #Fusion Energy #SCSP #China Competition

National Security and Energy Strategy

In a groundbreaking report released on October 9, 2025, the Special Competitive Studies Project's (SCSP) Commission on the Scaling of Fusion Energy outlined a crucial plan aimed at ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of the fusion energy race, particularly in the face of significant competition from China. The report warns that although the U.S. has historically led in fusion science, it risks losing its competitive edge in the multi-trillion-dollar commercialization race due to underfunding and stagnation in government support.

Critical Turning Point

The Commission emphasizes that the race for fusion energy has reached a pivotal moment. Since the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory achieved significant progress in fusion ignition in late 2022, China has poured at least $6.5 billion—possibly over $10 billion—into advancing its fusion capabilities. Conversely, U.S. government investment in this field has remained largely unchanged. While American fusion firms are successfully attracting substantial private investment, especially driven by the skyrocketing energy demands for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, China is proactively constructing the necessary infrastructure to transition fusion energy from a scientific concept to a commercial reality.

Commission Co-Chair Senator Maria Cantwell voiced, “Our preliminary report underscored the urgent need and opportunity for the United States to lead the world in swiftly bringing fusion energy to market. This final report offers an actionable roadmap to harness and energize America’s unique innovation ecosystem, talent pool, and pioneering fusion companies, propelling us toward a fusion-powered economy in the future.”

A Call for Action

The Commission’s final report outlines several definitive recommendations aimed at the U.S. government to bolster its position in the fusion energy race:
1. Launch a National Fusion Goal: They advocate for a clear, ambitious national target to break ground on multiple industry-led fusion demonstration power plants by the conclusion of the current presidential term.

2. Declare Fusion a National Security Priority: The report suggests that the President should issue an executive order categorizing fusion as a national security priority to galvanize a comprehensive government effort to claim victory in the fusion competition.

3. Invest to Win: A proposal for the government to allocate $10 billion towards the commercialization of fusion energy is included, aimed at empowering U.S. companies and scientists to innovate more rapidly than state-backed competitors and create essential infrastructure for a domestic fusion sector.

4. Streamline Regulations and Strengthen Efforts: The report calls for strategic actions to cut through regulatory red tape, enhance supply chains, and further develop a skilled workforce for the fusion industry.

Why It Matters

SCSP President and Commission Co-Chair Ylli Bajraktari emphasized, “The nation that first masters fusion technology will secure advantages that could be decisive in the competition for global leadership throughout the 21st century.” The report not only expounds strategies but goes further to deliver a detailed, actionable plan for achieving success in this vital race. The recommendations demand daring investments and unwavering determination, but the costs of inaction could far outweigh the current challenges.

Conclusion

The SCSP's Commission on the Scaling of Fusion Energy, comprised of 13 members from various sectors, aims to fortify the position of the United States as a pioneer in both fusion science and its commercial applications. As the global landscape evolves and energy demands rise, fostering an effective fusion energy strategy is essential not only for technological advancement and economic growth but also for national security. The U.S. must act decisively to ensure its leadership in the fusion energy domain for the future of its economy.