Washington state is taking steps to support the commercial fusion sector by signing legislation that recognizes fusion power as a clean energy source that can help the state meet its climate goals. This legislation also mandates the formation of a work group to explore permitting, siting, and licensing for fusion energy plants. Ryan Umstattd, of Zap Energy, explains that this helps educate people about fusion energy and its cleanliness compared to wind and solar energy. Several Pacific Northwest companies, including Zap Energy, Helion Energy, Avalanche Energy, and General Fusion, are working to commercialize fusion technology.
The goal of fusion energy is to replicate and scale down the reactions that power the sun and stars, potentially providing a limitless supply of carbon-free power. In December 2022, physicists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory achieved fusion ignition, where the fusion reaction releases more energy than was put into it. However, there are still significant technical challenges to overcome, with skeptics predicting it will be decades before fusion power is integrated into the electrical grid. Despite this, legislator Rep. Clyde Shavers believes that pursuing fusion technology is a key solution for protecting the environment.
Fusion companies in the region are making progress, with Helion aiming to deploy a commercial power plant in Washington by 2028 and Zap targeting commercial power by 2030. Scientific advancements and funding from public and private sources are driving the field forward, prompting the need to prepare for regulatory processes and scale up manufacturing. Fusion energy, while a form of nuclear energy, poses different risks than traditional nuclear fission reactors, as it cannot lead to runaway reactions or reactor meltdowns. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission plans to regulate fusion similarly to particle accelerators, which is a less costly and burdensome process than fission power regulation.
In addition to supporting fusion energy, other climate tech and clean energy legislation were signed into law in Washington. This includes supporting the adoption of electric school buses, addressing transitions off of natural gas, increasing solar consumer protections, exploring geothermal energy facilities, and linking Washington’s carbon marketplace with California and Quebec. These legislative efforts aim to promote renewable energy sources and combat climate change while also driving economic growth and innovation in the state. As the region continues to push forward with fusion technology, it will be essential to address regulatory, funding, and technical challenges to realize the full potential of fusion energy as a clean and sustainable power source.
