Fusion: The Hype vs. The Hope

Commercial fusion is transitioning from a long-term scientific ambition to an emerging energy technology, with substantial scientific progress, advancement of enabling technologies, new private-sector development, and public-private partnerships. This panel will assess the current state of commercial fusion, including leading approaches, development milestones, regulatory considerations, and pathways toward demonstration and deployment. The panel will identify critical research and development gaps, address economic and infrastructure considerations, discuss the role of federal and international collaboration, and highlight priorities for accelerating fusion commercialization while maintaining technical rigor, safety, and public confidence.