Congress has approved an additional $1.5 million in federal funds for the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory to support the construction of a new National Compact Stellarator Experiment, according to an announcement issued by Rep. Rush Holt (D-12), Rep. Steve Rothman (D-9) and Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11). The sum was part of an overall federal commitment of $250 million to the Fusion Energy Sciences Program within the Office of Science at the Department of Energy.
The three congressmen had requested additional funding for fusion research. The funding was secured in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill.
"I’m pleased to announce the appropriation of new federal funding that will help PPPL continue its world-renowned fusion research program and allow the laboratory to begin construction of the new National Compact Stellarator Experiment," said Rep. Holt. "I continue to believe that we as a nation should be enhancing our commitment to research into fusion and other sustainable energy programs. Developing new sustainable energy sources is the key to our nation’s future energy security."
The three congressmen made unsolicited requests to the House Appropriations Committee for an increase in funding for the PPPL. DOE’s current investment in the PPPL is directly responsible for nearly 500 jobs in New Jersey, $34 million in payroll, and almost $20 million in procurements.
"Fusion energy has the potential to be an unlimited and ultra-clean source of energy for the world, so it is important that this research, much of it completed at Princeton, continues," Rep. Frelinghuysen said.
"I was very pleased to use my position as a member of the House Appropriations Committee to help secure $1.5 million in additional funding for the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory," Rep. Rothman said. "As we look for more environmentally friendly ways to produce energy and also to become less dependent upon foreign oil, PPPL will play a critical role in developing the fusion power technology that will define future innovations. I am delighted that such advances are being made right here in New Jersey with the help of federal funds."
