[RALEIGH, NC] North Carolina recently passed landmark energy legislation, Senate Bill 678, recognizing the safety and environmental benefits of fusion technology. This legislative move demonstrates the state's commitment to integrating fusion as a clean and valuable addition to its energy resources.
TAE Technologies CEO Michl Binderbauer commended North Carolina for its forward-thinking approach to recognizing the potential of the fusion industry. The state's historic achievements, the intellectual prowess of the Research Triangle, and its commitment to American manufacturing jobs position North Carolina as a promising hub for fusion energy.
Senate Bill 678, authored by Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton (R-District 34), Senator Buck Newton (R-District 4), and Senator David Craven (R-District 29), was approved by a two-to-one vote on October 10. The legislation defines "clean energy" to include fusion energy, making a clear distinction between fusion energy and conventional nuclear fission power plants. It also ensures that fusion energy contributes to North Carolina's clean energy goals, including the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard and related incentives. In addition, the bill is consistent with the North Carolina Utilities Commission's carbon plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
At the bill signing, State Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton expressed confidence in the future commercialization of various energy innovations, including fusion technology. He affirmed North Carolina's readiness to embrace these advances.
TAE Technologies is a world leader in the commercial development of aneutronic fusion energy, an advanced fusion approach that does not produce neutrons in its primary reaction. This technology offers significant advantages, including the absence of radioactive waste and longer device life, resulting in lower energy costs for both producers and consumers.
This legislation comes on the heels of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's recent net energy achievement and reflects the global race to harness fusion energy for commercial use. TAE Technologies marked its progress by breaking ground on a new 100,000-square-foot facility for its next fusion research machine, Copernicus. This machine is expected to demonstrate the feasibility of net energy production by the mid-2020s. TAE will then proceed with the development of its first prototype hydrogen-boron fusion power plant, Da Vinci, with the goal of delivering electricity to the grid in the early 2030s.
