Fusion Power -- A 10 Year Plan to Energy Security

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Security Project releases a major report on how the U.S. can accelerate the development of fusion power:  "Fusion Power – A 10 Year Plan to Energy Security."

Fusion power holds great potential to meet America's long-term energy security needs. Fusion is clean, safe, secure and abundant. The report details several critical steps the U.S. can take that will lead to demonstration-level fusion power within a decade.

The report can be found here.

BGen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.), CEO of the American Security Project said: "It is a national security imperative that America demonstrates practical fusion power within ten years. America can and must develop this technology to finally break our country's dependence on fossil fuels. American scientists have demonstrated impressive progress over the years, and if not for short-sighted budget cuts, breakthroughs would have continued. It is time we show some leadership. We can do that by making a national commitment to developing fusion power."

Several ASP Board Members also issued statements, which were published in the report:

Gov. Christine Todd Whitman said: "There is broad agreement on an 'all of the above' strategy on energy. We need new base load power that is carbon-free. Today, nuclear power can meet that – but we will also need research and development into new technologies. American leadership is on the line."

Norman R. Augustine said: "The U.S. continues to fall behind in its scientific competitiveness. As one major example, research into fusion power could lead to safe, affordable, clean, and sustainable energy, yet other nations such as China and South Korea are pushing much harder than we to commercialize fusion. If we don't set it as a national priority ourselves, we are in danger of losing this race, too."

General Lester Lyles, USAF (Ret.) said: "It is time to get serious about the possibilities of fusion energy technologies. We should not allow short-term fiscal difficulties to cause us to lose our scientific leadership in the next generation of energy sources. Our leadership in areas like information technology and space travel is being challenged. Our energy systems present both opportunities and threats – and we know that investments in fusion technologies can help exploit these opportunities."

About the American Security Project: The American Security Project is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy and research organization dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of a range of national security issues, promoting debate about the appropriate use of American power, and cultivating strategic responses to 21st century challenges. For more information, visit www.americansecurityproject.org.

SOURCE American Security Project