Fusion Energy Act of 2024

The Fusion Energy Act of 2024 clarifies regulatory definitions for fusion energy technology, specifically defining a "fusion machine" as a device that fuses atomic nuclei to produce energy and captures resulting heat or radiation. It requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to develop a new regulatory framework for fusion machines by December 2027, including rules for licensing new fusion projects. The bill also mandates an NRC report to Congress within one year of enactment, evaluating risk-based licensing models (like the FAA's aircraft certification process) for mass-producing fusion machines. This directly affects fusion energy developers and the NRC, streamlining future regulatory pathways for commercial fusion technology.