California 2023 2023-2024 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB1172 Amended / Bill

Filed 06/27/2023

                    Amended IN  Senate  June 27, 2023 Amended IN  Assembly  April 17, 2023 Amended IN  Assembly  March 30, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1172Introduced by Assembly Member CalderonFebruary 16, 2023An act to add and repeal Section 25302.4 of the Public Resources Code, relating to energy.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1172, as amended, Calderon. Integrated energy policy report: fusion energy.Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to undertake various actions in furtherance of meeting the states clean energy and pollution reduction objectives. Existing law prohibits the commission from certifying a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except for specified powerplants, and provides that a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except for those specified powerplants, is not a permitted land use in California, unless certain conditions are met regarding the existence of technology for the construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod processing plants and of demonstrated technology or means for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste, as specified.Existing law requires the commission, beginning November 1, 2003, and biennially thereafter, to adopt an integrated energy policy report that contains an overview of major energy trends and issues facing the state, presents policy recommendations based on an in-depth and integrated analysis of the most current and pressing energy issues facing the state, and includes an assessment and forecast of system reliability and the need for resource additions, efficiency, and conservation, as specified. Existing law also requires the commission, beginning November 1, 2004, and biennially thereafter, to prepare an energy policy review to update analyses from the integrated energy policy report or to raise energy issues that have emerged since the release of the integrated energy policy report, as specified.This bill would require the commission, as part of the 2025 edition of the integrated energy policy report, to include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to Californias power supply, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: YES  Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) According to the 2021 SB 100 Joint Agency Report published by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission pursuant to the 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018 (Chapter 312 of the Statutes of 2018), to reach the target of requiring renewable energy and zero-carbon resources to supply 100 percent of electric retail sales to end-use customers by 2045 while electrifying other sectors to meet the states economy-wide economywide climate goals, California may need to roughly triple its current electrical grid capacity.(b) In March 2022, the administration of President Joseph Biden hosted the first ever summit on fusion energy and the United States Department of Energy launched an agencywide initiative to accelerate the viability of commercial fusion energy in coordination with the private sector.(c) The United States Department of Energy will distribute $50,000,000 through two funding opportunities that will support foundational science and technology research.(d) Fusion energy can advance Californias progress towards its statutory renewable energy and climate mandates.(e) Fusion energy development presents an opportunity to further promote Californias workforce development within the renewable energy sector.(f) In order to further current federal regulatory activity around fusion energy, it is important to define fusion energy in state law and distinguish the technology from nuclear fission.(g) Substantial technical progress and private investment is being made in multiple fusion energy pathways and with diverse fuels, including, but not limited to, deuterium-tritium, hydrogen-boron, and deuterium-helium-3.SEC. 2. Section 25302.4 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:25302.4. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Aneutronic fusion means fusion energy that uses fuel that does not qualify as byproduct material, as defined in Section 30.4 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and for which the primary fusion reaction is aneutronic, which means that neutrons carry no more than 1 percent of the total energy released and the outputs of the primary fusion reaction do not qualify as byproduct material.(2)(1) Fusion means a reaction in which at least one heavier, more stable nucleus is produced from two at least one lighter, less stable nuclei, nucleus, typically through high temperatures and pressures, and emitting energy as a result.(3)(2) Fusion energy means the product of fusion reactions inside a fusion device and used to generate electricity or other commercially usable forms of energy.(4)(3) Fusion power plant means a facility where a fusion device serves as the principal source of energy production that is capable of converting fusion energy into electricity for consumption, and that is interconnected with a utilitys electrical grid for the purpose of transporting net electricity produced.(b) As part of the 2025 edition of the integrated energy policy report, the commission shall include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to Californias power supply. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Identifying necessary regulatory actions required to deploy fusion energy within Californias energy system.(2) Identifying the regulatory actions required to bring fusion power plants online, and providing recommendations to address potential obstacles.(3) Analyzing the steps needed to create a skilled and trained fusion energy workforce.(4) Identifying state and federal investments available for fusion energy development and deployment.(5) Analyzing the scalability, costs, and realistic timelines for bringing fusion energy, including aneutronic fusion, fusion and deuterium and tritium reactions, to market in California.(c) For purposes of the assessment described in subdivision (b), the commission shall define aneutronic fusion.(c)(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.

 Amended IN  Senate  June 27, 2023 Amended IN  Assembly  April 17, 2023 Amended IN  Assembly  March 30, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1172Introduced by Assembly Member CalderonFebruary 16, 2023An act to add and repeal Section 25302.4 of the Public Resources Code, relating to energy.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1172, as amended, Calderon. Integrated energy policy report: fusion energy.Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to undertake various actions in furtherance of meeting the states clean energy and pollution reduction objectives. Existing law prohibits the commission from certifying a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except for specified powerplants, and provides that a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except for those specified powerplants, is not a permitted land use in California, unless certain conditions are met regarding the existence of technology for the construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod processing plants and of demonstrated technology or means for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste, as specified.Existing law requires the commission, beginning November 1, 2003, and biennially thereafter, to adopt an integrated energy policy report that contains an overview of major energy trends and issues facing the state, presents policy recommendations based on an in-depth and integrated analysis of the most current and pressing energy issues facing the state, and includes an assessment and forecast of system reliability and the need for resource additions, efficiency, and conservation, as specified. Existing law also requires the commission, beginning November 1, 2004, and biennially thereafter, to prepare an energy policy review to update analyses from the integrated energy policy report or to raise energy issues that have emerged since the release of the integrated energy policy report, as specified.This bill would require the commission, as part of the 2025 edition of the integrated energy policy report, to include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to Californias power supply, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: YES  Local Program: NO 

 Amended IN  Senate  June 27, 2023 Amended IN  Assembly  April 17, 2023 Amended IN  Assembly  March 30, 2023

Amended IN  Senate  June 27, 2023
Amended IN  Assembly  April 17, 2023
Amended IN  Assembly  March 30, 2023

 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION

 Assembly Bill 

No. 1172

Introduced by Assembly Member CalderonFebruary 16, 2023

Introduced by Assembly Member Calderon
February 16, 2023

An act to add and repeal Section 25302.4 of the Public Resources Code, relating to energy.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1172, as amended, Calderon. Integrated energy policy report: fusion energy.

Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to undertake various actions in furtherance of meeting the states clean energy and pollution reduction objectives. Existing law prohibits the commission from certifying a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except for specified powerplants, and provides that a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except for those specified powerplants, is not a permitted land use in California, unless certain conditions are met regarding the existence of technology for the construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod processing plants and of demonstrated technology or means for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste, as specified.Existing law requires the commission, beginning November 1, 2003, and biennially thereafter, to adopt an integrated energy policy report that contains an overview of major energy trends and issues facing the state, presents policy recommendations based on an in-depth and integrated analysis of the most current and pressing energy issues facing the state, and includes an assessment and forecast of system reliability and the need for resource additions, efficiency, and conservation, as specified. Existing law also requires the commission, beginning November 1, 2004, and biennially thereafter, to prepare an energy policy review to update analyses from the integrated energy policy report or to raise energy issues that have emerged since the release of the integrated energy policy report, as specified.This bill would require the commission, as part of the 2025 edition of the integrated energy policy report, to include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to Californias power supply, as specified.

Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to undertake various actions in furtherance of meeting the states clean energy and pollution reduction objectives. Existing law prohibits the commission from certifying a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except for specified powerplants, and provides that a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except for those specified powerplants, is not a permitted land use in California, unless certain conditions are met regarding the existence of technology for the construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod processing plants and of demonstrated technology or means for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste, as specified.

Existing law requires the commission, beginning November 1, 2003, and biennially thereafter, to adopt an integrated energy policy report that contains an overview of major energy trends and issues facing the state, presents policy recommendations based on an in-depth and integrated analysis of the most current and pressing energy issues facing the state, and includes an assessment and forecast of system reliability and the need for resource additions, efficiency, and conservation, as specified. Existing law also requires the commission, beginning November 1, 2004, and biennially thereafter, to prepare an energy policy review to update analyses from the integrated energy policy report or to raise energy issues that have emerged since the release of the integrated energy policy report, as specified.

This bill would require the commission, as part of the 2025 edition of the integrated energy policy report, to include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to Californias power supply, as specified.

## Digest Key

## Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) According to the 2021 SB 100 Joint Agency Report published by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission pursuant to the 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018 (Chapter 312 of the Statutes of 2018), to reach the target of requiring renewable energy and zero-carbon resources to supply 100 percent of electric retail sales to end-use customers by 2045 while electrifying other sectors to meet the states economy-wide economywide climate goals, California may need to roughly triple its current electrical grid capacity.(b) In March 2022, the administration of President Joseph Biden hosted the first ever summit on fusion energy and the United States Department of Energy launched an agencywide initiative to accelerate the viability of commercial fusion energy in coordination with the private sector.(c) The United States Department of Energy will distribute $50,000,000 through two funding opportunities that will support foundational science and technology research.(d) Fusion energy can advance Californias progress towards its statutory renewable energy and climate mandates.(e) Fusion energy development presents an opportunity to further promote Californias workforce development within the renewable energy sector.(f) In order to further current federal regulatory activity around fusion energy, it is important to define fusion energy in state law and distinguish the technology from nuclear fission.(g) Substantial technical progress and private investment is being made in multiple fusion energy pathways and with diverse fuels, including, but not limited to, deuterium-tritium, hydrogen-boron, and deuterium-helium-3.SEC. 2. Section 25302.4 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:25302.4. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Aneutronic fusion means fusion energy that uses fuel that does not qualify as byproduct material, as defined in Section 30.4 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and for which the primary fusion reaction is aneutronic, which means that neutrons carry no more than 1 percent of the total energy released and the outputs of the primary fusion reaction do not qualify as byproduct material.(2)(1) Fusion means a reaction in which at least one heavier, more stable nucleus is produced from two at least one lighter, less stable nuclei, nucleus, typically through high temperatures and pressures, and emitting energy as a result.(3)(2) Fusion energy means the product of fusion reactions inside a fusion device and used to generate electricity or other commercially usable forms of energy.(4)(3) Fusion power plant means a facility where a fusion device serves as the principal source of energy production that is capable of converting fusion energy into electricity for consumption, and that is interconnected with a utilitys electrical grid for the purpose of transporting net electricity produced.(b) As part of the 2025 edition of the integrated energy policy report, the commission shall include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to Californias power supply. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Identifying necessary regulatory actions required to deploy fusion energy within Californias energy system.(2) Identifying the regulatory actions required to bring fusion power plants online, and providing recommendations to address potential obstacles.(3) Analyzing the steps needed to create a skilled and trained fusion energy workforce.(4) Identifying state and federal investments available for fusion energy development and deployment.(5) Analyzing the scalability, costs, and realistic timelines for bringing fusion energy, including aneutronic fusion, fusion and deuterium and tritium reactions, to market in California.(c) For purposes of the assessment described in subdivision (b), the commission shall define aneutronic fusion.(c)(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) According to the 2021 SB 100 Joint Agency Report published by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission pursuant to the 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018 (Chapter 312 of the Statutes of 2018), to reach the target of requiring renewable energy and zero-carbon resources to supply 100 percent of electric retail sales to end-use customers by 2045 while electrifying other sectors to meet the states economy-wide economywide climate goals, California may need to roughly triple its current electrical grid capacity.(b) In March 2022, the administration of President Joseph Biden hosted the first ever summit on fusion energy and the United States Department of Energy launched an agencywide initiative to accelerate the viability of commercial fusion energy in coordination with the private sector.(c) The United States Department of Energy will distribute $50,000,000 through two funding opportunities that will support foundational science and technology research.(d) Fusion energy can advance Californias progress towards its statutory renewable energy and climate mandates.(e) Fusion energy development presents an opportunity to further promote Californias workforce development within the renewable energy sector.(f) In order to further current federal regulatory activity around fusion energy, it is important to define fusion energy in state law and distinguish the technology from nuclear fission.(g) Substantial technical progress and private investment is being made in multiple fusion energy pathways and with diverse fuels, including, but not limited to, deuterium-tritium, hydrogen-boron, and deuterium-helium-3.

SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) According to the 2021 SB 100 Joint Agency Report published by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission pursuant to the 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018 (Chapter 312 of the Statutes of 2018), to reach the target of requiring renewable energy and zero-carbon resources to supply 100 percent of electric retail sales to end-use customers by 2045 while electrifying other sectors to meet the states economy-wide economywide climate goals, California may need to roughly triple its current electrical grid capacity.(b) In March 2022, the administration of President Joseph Biden hosted the first ever summit on fusion energy and the United States Department of Energy launched an agencywide initiative to accelerate the viability of commercial fusion energy in coordination with the private sector.(c) The United States Department of Energy will distribute $50,000,000 through two funding opportunities that will support foundational science and technology research.(d) Fusion energy can advance Californias progress towards its statutory renewable energy and climate mandates.(e) Fusion energy development presents an opportunity to further promote Californias workforce development within the renewable energy sector.(f) In order to further current federal regulatory activity around fusion energy, it is important to define fusion energy in state law and distinguish the technology from nuclear fission.(g) Substantial technical progress and private investment is being made in multiple fusion energy pathways and with diverse fuels, including, but not limited to, deuterium-tritium, hydrogen-boron, and deuterium-helium-3.

SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

### SECTION 1.

(a) According to the 2021 SB 100 Joint Agency Report published by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission pursuant to the 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018 (Chapter 312 of the Statutes of 2018), to reach the target of requiring renewable energy and zero-carbon resources to supply 100 percent of electric retail sales to end-use customers by 2045 while electrifying other sectors to meet the states economy-wide economywide climate goals, California may need to roughly triple its current electrical grid capacity.

(b) In March 2022, the administration of President Joseph Biden hosted the first ever summit on fusion energy and the United States Department of Energy launched an agencywide initiative to accelerate the viability of commercial fusion energy in coordination with the private sector.

(c) The United States Department of Energy will distribute $50,000,000 through two funding opportunities that will support foundational science and technology research.

(d) Fusion energy can advance Californias progress towards its statutory renewable energy and climate mandates.

(e) Fusion energy development presents an opportunity to further promote Californias workforce development within the renewable energy sector.

(f) In order to further current federal regulatory activity around fusion energy, it is important to define fusion energy in state law and distinguish the technology from nuclear fission.

(g) Substantial technical progress and private investment is being made in multiple fusion energy pathways and with diverse fuels, including, but not limited to, deuterium-tritium, hydrogen-boron, and deuterium-helium-3.

SEC. 2. Section 25302.4 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:25302.4. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Aneutronic fusion means fusion energy that uses fuel that does not qualify as byproduct material, as defined in Section 30.4 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and for which the primary fusion reaction is aneutronic, which means that neutrons carry no more than 1 percent of the total energy released and the outputs of the primary fusion reaction do not qualify as byproduct material.(2)(1) Fusion means a reaction in which at least one heavier, more stable nucleus is produced from two at least one lighter, less stable nuclei, nucleus, typically through high temperatures and pressures, and emitting energy as a result.(3)(2) Fusion energy means the product of fusion reactions inside a fusion device and used to generate electricity or other commercially usable forms of energy.(4)(3) Fusion power plant means a facility where a fusion device serves as the principal source of energy production that is capable of converting fusion energy into electricity for consumption, and that is interconnected with a utilitys electrical grid for the purpose of transporting net electricity produced.(b) As part of the 2025 edition of the integrated energy policy report, the commission shall include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to Californias power supply. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Identifying necessary regulatory actions required to deploy fusion energy within Californias energy system.(2) Identifying the regulatory actions required to bring fusion power plants online, and providing recommendations to address potential obstacles.(3) Analyzing the steps needed to create a skilled and trained fusion energy workforce.(4) Identifying state and federal investments available for fusion energy development and deployment.(5) Analyzing the scalability, costs, and realistic timelines for bringing fusion energy, including aneutronic fusion, fusion and deuterium and tritium reactions, to market in California.(c) For purposes of the assessment described in subdivision (b), the commission shall define aneutronic fusion.(c)(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 2. Section 25302.4 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:

### SEC. 2.

25302.4. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Aneutronic fusion means fusion energy that uses fuel that does not qualify as byproduct material, as defined in Section 30.4 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and for which the primary fusion reaction is aneutronic, which means that neutrons carry no more than 1 percent of the total energy released and the outputs of the primary fusion reaction do not qualify as byproduct material.(2)(1) Fusion means a reaction in which at least one heavier, more stable nucleus is produced from two at least one lighter, less stable nuclei, nucleus, typically through high temperatures and pressures, and emitting energy as a result.(3)(2) Fusion energy means the product of fusion reactions inside a fusion device and used to generate electricity or other commercially usable forms of energy.(4)(3) Fusion power plant means a facility where a fusion device serves as the principal source of energy production that is capable of converting fusion energy into electricity for consumption, and that is interconnected with a utilitys electrical grid for the purpose of transporting net electricity produced.(b) As part of the 2025 edition of the integrated energy policy report, the commission shall include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to Californias power supply. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Identifying necessary regulatory actions required to deploy fusion energy within Californias energy system.(2) Identifying the regulatory actions required to bring fusion power plants online, and providing recommendations to address potential obstacles.(3) Analyzing the steps needed to create a skilled and trained fusion energy workforce.(4) Identifying state and federal investments available for fusion energy development and deployment.(5) Analyzing the scalability, costs, and realistic timelines for bringing fusion energy, including aneutronic fusion, fusion and deuterium and tritium reactions, to market in California.(c) For purposes of the assessment described in subdivision (b), the commission shall define aneutronic fusion.(c)(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.

25302.4. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Aneutronic fusion means fusion energy that uses fuel that does not qualify as byproduct material, as defined in Section 30.4 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and for which the primary fusion reaction is aneutronic, which means that neutrons carry no more than 1 percent of the total energy released and the outputs of the primary fusion reaction do not qualify as byproduct material.(2)(1) Fusion means a reaction in which at least one heavier, more stable nucleus is produced from two at least one lighter, less stable nuclei, nucleus, typically through high temperatures and pressures, and emitting energy as a result.(3)(2) Fusion energy means the product of fusion reactions inside a fusion device and used to generate electricity or other commercially usable forms of energy.(4)(3) Fusion power plant means a facility where a fusion device serves as the principal source of energy production that is capable of converting fusion energy into electricity for consumption, and that is interconnected with a utilitys electrical grid for the purpose of transporting net electricity produced.(b) As part of the 2025 edition of the integrated energy policy report, the commission shall include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to Californias power supply. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Identifying necessary regulatory actions required to deploy fusion energy within Californias energy system.(2) Identifying the regulatory actions required to bring fusion power plants online, and providing recommendations to address potential obstacles.(3) Analyzing the steps needed to create a skilled and trained fusion energy workforce.(4) Identifying state and federal investments available for fusion energy development and deployment.(5) Analyzing the scalability, costs, and realistic timelines for bringing fusion energy, including aneutronic fusion, fusion and deuterium and tritium reactions, to market in California.(c) For purposes of the assessment described in subdivision (b), the commission shall define aneutronic fusion.(c)(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.

25302.4. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Aneutronic fusion means fusion energy that uses fuel that does not qualify as byproduct material, as defined in Section 30.4 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and for which the primary fusion reaction is aneutronic, which means that neutrons carry no more than 1 percent of the total energy released and the outputs of the primary fusion reaction do not qualify as byproduct material.(2)(1) Fusion means a reaction in which at least one heavier, more stable nucleus is produced from two at least one lighter, less stable nuclei, nucleus, typically through high temperatures and pressures, and emitting energy as a result.(3)(2) Fusion energy means the product of fusion reactions inside a fusion device and used to generate electricity or other commercially usable forms of energy.(4)(3) Fusion power plant means a facility where a fusion device serves as the principal source of energy production that is capable of converting fusion energy into electricity for consumption, and that is interconnected with a utilitys electrical grid for the purpose of transporting net electricity produced.(b) As part of the 2025 edition of the integrated energy policy report, the commission shall include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to Californias power supply. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Identifying necessary regulatory actions required to deploy fusion energy within Californias energy system.(2) Identifying the regulatory actions required to bring fusion power plants online, and providing recommendations to address potential obstacles.(3) Analyzing the steps needed to create a skilled and trained fusion energy workforce.(4) Identifying state and federal investments available for fusion energy development and deployment.(5) Analyzing the scalability, costs, and realistic timelines for bringing fusion energy, including aneutronic fusion, fusion and deuterium and tritium reactions, to market in California.(c) For purposes of the assessment described in subdivision (b), the commission shall define aneutronic fusion.(c)(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.



25302.4. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)Aneutronic fusion means fusion energy that uses fuel that does not qualify as byproduct material, as defined in Section 30.4 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and for which the primary fusion reaction is aneutronic, which means that neutrons carry no more than 1 percent of the total energy released and the outputs of the primary fusion reaction do not qualify as byproduct material.



(2)



(1) Fusion means a reaction in which at least one heavier, more stable nucleus is produced from two at least one lighter, less stable nuclei, nucleus, typically through high temperatures and pressures, and emitting energy as a result.

(3)



(2) Fusion energy means the product of fusion reactions inside a fusion device and used to generate electricity or other commercially usable forms of energy.

(4)



(3) Fusion power plant means a facility where a fusion device serves as the principal source of energy production that is capable of converting fusion energy into electricity for consumption, and that is interconnected with a utilitys electrical grid for the purpose of transporting net electricity produced.

(b) As part of the 2025 edition of the integrated energy policy report, the commission shall include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to Californias power supply. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) Identifying necessary regulatory actions required to deploy fusion energy within Californias energy system.

(2) Identifying the regulatory actions required to bring fusion power plants online, and providing recommendations to address potential obstacles.

(3) Analyzing the steps needed to create a skilled and trained fusion energy workforce.

(4) Identifying state and federal investments available for fusion energy development and deployment.

(5) Analyzing the scalability, costs, and realistic timelines for bringing fusion energy, including aneutronic fusion, fusion and deuterium and tritium reactions, to market in California.

(c) For purposes of the assessment described in subdivision (b), the commission shall define aneutronic fusion.

(c)



(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.