US takes steps to solidify rules on nuclear fusion energy

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has published a draft rule that would formally establish how nuclear fusion energy projects are regulated in the United States. The proposal gives the emerging fusion industry greater regulatory clarity as companies work toward commercial power generation, which many hope could begin in the 2030s. Fusion energy aims to replicate the reaction that powers the sun by forcing light atoms together to release large amounts of energy. Unlike traditional nuclear fission plants, fusion is not expected to produce long-lived radioactive waste. In 2023, the NRC voted to regulate fusion under a less stringent framework than fission reactors, recognizing its different risk profile. The new draft rule outlines requirements for handling byproducts associated with fusion, including tritium, neutrons, and neutron activation materials. Although fusion is generally considered safer than fission, these materials must still be properly contained to protect public health and safety. The NRC will accept public comments on the proposal through May 27 before finalizing the rule. Industry groups, including the Fusion Industry Association, welcomed the draft as a step toward clearer oversight. Meanwhile, companies continue to push for federal funding and private investment to overcome technical hurdles such as sustaining continuous fusion reactions and developing materials that can withstand long-term neutron exposure.