Riemann's Contribution to Flight and Laser Fusion

DOE Stalls on FED;Bouquard ReconvenesAdvisory PanelThe Fusion Engineering Devicemandated by the 1980 fusion legislationis in danger of being stalled, atleast for the next year, because ofdelays in setting up its managementstructure, funding, and design, as wellas the stated reluctance of the DOEto pursue the project.The Magnetic Fusion Energy EngineeringAct of 1980 mandates that theDOE have a Fusion Engineering Device(FED) on line by 1990 to demonstratethe feasibility of integrating thecomplex fusion systems and producenet power. The first stage in this process,the law specifies, is "the creationof a national magnetic fusion engineeringcenter for the purpose ofaccelerating fusion technology development."The legislation requires that thesecretary of energy submit to Congressby July 1 a plan for establishingthe Center for Fusion Engineering, orCFE, which is to direct the engineeringphase of magnetic fusion development.The DOE report submitted to CongressJuly 7, however, stated that thedepartment had not yet come to "ajudgment on the advisability of establishingsuch a center"—even thoughthe CFE is not only mandated by thelaw, but ^as recommended in theDOE's own review of the fusion programcompleted a year ago.Critical for meeting the 1990 scheduleis the DOE funding of and commitmentto design and build the FED, andhere progress has been most disappointing.In the letter of transmittal tothe July 7 DOE report to Congress,Acting Energy Research Director N.Douglas Pewitt said that the Reaganadministration's policy is in "consonance"with the law, "but because ofoverriding fiscal constraints nowplaced on government activities, weare proceeding at a lower rate of accelerationtoward the same objective."Fusion ReportMarsha FreemanNo friend of fusion: Dr. N. DouglasPewitt, acting director of the DOEOffice of Energy Research.Pewitt, a holdover from the Carteradministration, is no friend of fusion.He stated repeatedly during budgethearings earlier this year that the fusionlaw was a "permissive piece oflegislation" and that the administrationwould not make a commitmentto build the FED. Without such a commitment,of course, there is no pointin establishing a new center to managefusion engineering.As an "interim" policy, Pewitt's Julyreport proposed to establish an "EngineeringFeasibility PreparationsProject" located at one of the nationallaboratories. But this proposal is simplyanother stalling tactic. It has alreadybeen agreed that the FED willnot be located at a national laboratory,so it is very unlikely that Congresswill accede to this type of delay.Hirsch Panel ReconvenedAs the DOE report was being prepared,Congresswoman Marilyn Bouquard(D-Tenn.) reconvened the fusionadvisory panel of the HouseScience and Technology Committee'sSubcommittee on Energy Researchand Production to study the feasibilityof "fast-tracking" the fusion program.Formerly headed by Dr. RobertHirsch, a past director of the U.S.magnetic fusion program, the panelwas commissioned in 1979 by formercongressman Mike McCormack whenhe chaired the energy subcommitteethat Bouquard now chairs. The Hirschpanel, as it was known, played anOctober-November 1981Stuart L«wi«/NSIPSFusion supporter: Leonard F. C.Reichle of Ebasco, new head of thefusion advisory panel.important role in preparing the wayfor the 1980 fusion legislation. Mc­Cormack was the law's chief sponsor.Now headed by Leonard F. C.Reichle, executive vice president ofEbasco Services Inc., the panel includesprominent fusion scientists, industryleaders, and Mike McCormack.Ebasco is the chief contractor buildingPrinceton's TFTR tokamak."The taxpayer can be saved 2 billion1980 dollars if the DOE will stop draggingits feet and move now into theengineering phase of fusion energydevelopment," Bouquard said in announcingthe panel's June 29 meeting.Sources on Capitol Hill report thatBouquard has written a letter to EnergySecretary Edwards protesting thecontent of Pewitt's report to Congressand that she may hold public hearingson fusion in the fall to continue toput pressure on the administration tomeet the requirements of the fusionlaw.How Much Industry Control?At the June 29 hearings, the panelheard a broad range of views fromindustry representatives on the involvementof industry in fusion engineeringdevelopment, specifically inthe establishment of the Center forFusion Engineering, the CFE.Two industry groups, the AtomicIndustrial Forum and Fusion PowerAssociates, stated that industry isContinued on page 60FUSION 21