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42 U.S. Code § 18645. Fusion energy
(a) Program
As part of the activities authorized under section 7139 of this title and section 16312 of this title, the Director shall carry out a fusion energy sciences research and enabling technology development program to effectively address the scientific and engineering challenges to building a cost competitive fusion power plant and to support the development of a competitive fusion power industry in the United States. As part of this program, the Director shall carry out research activities to expand the fundamental understandings of plasma and matter at very high temperatures and densities for fusion applications and for other engineering and plasma science applications.
(b) Fusion materials research and development
(1) In generalAs part of the activities authorized in section 16318 of this title—
(A)
the Director, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy of the Department, shall carry out research and development activities to identify, characterize, and demonstrate materials that can endure the neutron, plasma, and heat fluxes expected in a fusion power system; and
(B) the Director shall provide an assessment of—
(i)
the need for one or more facilities that can examine and test potential fusion and next generation fission materials and other enabling technologies relevant to the development of fusion power; and
(ii)
whether a single new facility that substantially addresses magnetic fusion and next generation fission materials research needs is feasible, in conjunction with the expected capabilities of facilities operational as of September 28, 2018.
(2) Authorization of appropriations
Out of funds authorized to be appropriated under subsection (q),[1] there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out activities described in paragraph (1) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
(c) Tokamak research and development
The Director shall support research and development activities and facility operations to optimize the tokamak approach to fusion energy.
(d) Inertial fusion research and development
(1) In general
The Director shall carry out a program of research and technology development in inertial fusion for energy applications, including ion beam, laser, and pulsed power fusion systems.
(2) ActivitiesAs part of the program described in paragraph (1), the Director shall support activities at and partnerships with universities and the National Laboratories to—
(A)
develop novel target designs;
(B)
support modeling of various inertial fusion energy concepts and systems;
(C)
develop diagnostic tools; and
(D)
improve inertial fusion energy driver technologies.
(3) Authorization of appropriations
Out of funds authorized to be appropriated under subsection (q),1 there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the activities described in this subsection $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2027.