Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my strong support for the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Lamb.

The world desperately needs a new source of energy that has zero- carbon emissions. Such a technological breakthrough is absolutely vital to combating climate change and meeting our growing energy demands.

One such promising technology is fusion energy.

When commercialized, fusion will accelerate the transformation of America's energy system, providing the foundation for our zero-carbon energy economy of the future.

My colleague's amendment, which I'm pleased to co-sponsor, would provide the basis for the United States to maximize its resources, both public and private, to demonstrate and commercialize fusion energy.

His amendment would support public-private partnerships to make fusion energy a reality by building full-scale demonstration facilities--and creating new companies and more jobs here at home.

This is a race against time--not only to prevent the worst catastrophes that we're beginning to see due to climate change, but also ensuring adequate funds so that the United States is the global leader in fusion.

As Professor Dennis Whyte of MIT wrote last year in The Washington Post, ``This is a critical moment for such funding decisions. Other governments are investing billions in fusion.''

The pending amendment's milestone-based funding program will support the development of a U.S.-based fusion power industry by providing funds to stimulate R&D and eventual commercialization of this new energy source.

Each private sector participant will need to meet milestones agreed- upon in partnership with the Department of Energy in order to receive the public funds.

Federal assistance would be made only upon completion of agreed-upon milestones.

I urge support for the amendment as well as the underlying bill.

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