In a Los Angeles Times opinion piece, contributors argue that the United States must adopt a coherent national strategy for nuclear fusion energy to maintain global leadership and secure a clean-energy future. Recent breakthroughs — including achievement of fusion ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where controlled reactions produced more energy than was put in — have generated excitement and investment, but the authors warn that isolated technological advances aren’t enough without a coordinated plan to commercialize and scale fusion power.
The article highlights that fusion — long pursued for its promise of abundant, clean energy — has suddenly become more feasible due to advances in superconducting magnets, high-powered lasers and AI-assisted plasma control, and private investment in fusion startups has surged. However, other nations such as China, Europe and the U.K. are also investing heavily, creating a geopolitical race for fusion dominance that the United States risks losing if it relies solely on fragmented efforts.
Proponents of a national strategy say it should go beyond research milestones to modernize regulatory processes, expand federal support across diverse fusion technologies, and strengthen public-private partnerships that connect national labs, universities and industry. They also point to the need for workforce development to attract scientists and engineers and build the technical teams necessary for large-scale fusion deployment.
The authors argue that fusion energy — capable of providing dispatchable, low-carbon power around the clock — has implications far beyond the power sector, potentially underpinning advanced manufacturing, defense, space exploration and emerging technologies like AI. A national strategy, they contend, is essential not just for U.S. energy leadership but for broader economic and technological competitiveness in the decades ahead.
