Nuclear Fusion Will Not Be Regulated the Same Way as Nuclear Fission — a Big Win for the Fusion Industry

Some provisions that are specific to fission plants, such as the requirement to fund claims resulting from nuclear meltdowns will not apply to fusion plant. "It is extremely important," he told CNBC. Burnell said that the NRC staff in their submission suggested that regulating fusion as fission was "a poor fit" with CNBC's rules. In the United States, nuclear fission is used to generate energy. This occurs when a neutron hits a larger atom, splitting it in half and releasing energy. Because it produces no greenhouse gases. On December 13, 2022, (L-R), US Under Secretary of Energy, Jill Hruby, US Energy Secretary, Jennifer Granholm, Director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Kimberly Budil, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy director, Arati Prabhakar, and National Nuclear Security Administration, Defense Programs Deputy Administrator, Marvin Adams, hold a news conference at the US Department of Energy to announce an important milestone in nuclear research. Researchers have made a breakthrough in nuclear fusion technology, which is seen as an alternative energy source that could be revolutionary.

The sun produces energy by combining smaller atoms to create a larger one. Nuclear fusion doesn't produce the same long-lasting radioactive material, but it is very difficult to achieve. It's a good thing. CNBC. Another fusion startup says that the decision clears the way for them to achieve their stated goals. General counsel for Helion told CNBC. CNBC quoted a former NRC Commissioner. He said that by using the Part 30 to regulate fusion technology, the commission has recognized the lower risk of the fusion technologies compared to traditional nuclear reactors. This decision aligns more accurately the risks with the regulations.