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Committee hears HB 1018 to let fusion facilities opt into FSEC siting process
Summary
House Bill 1018 would allow fusion-energy facilities the option to apply for siting certification through the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council and clarify that FSEC's mandatory nuclear siting authority applies to fission nuclear plants; proponents said the change creates regulatory clarity and options for developers, while agencies and the
House Bill 1018, a bill to permit fusion-energy facilities to opt into the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (FSEC) certification process and to clarify that FSEC’s mandatory nuclear jurisdiction applies to fission facilities, was presented to the House Environment & Energy Committee.
Srinandan Ramachandran, an intern to the committee, summarized the bill’s two core elements: allow fusion facilities to opt into the current FSEC process and specify that the nuclear facilities required to undergo FSEC certification are fission nuclear power facilities.
Representative Clyde Shavers (10th Legislative District), who sponsored the bill, said HB 1018 “brings fusion energy facilities under the jurisdiction of FSEC, providing the necessary appropriate framework needed to responsibly embrace this groundbreaking technology.” He described fusion as a potential near‑zero‑carbon energy source and called the bill a way to “create certainty for innovators and investors” while assuring safety and environmental standards through existing licensing and registration requirements.
Tom Bugert of Helion Energy, which is developing a commercial fusion generator in Everett, testified in strong support and described fusion as “harnessing the power of the sun” and an opportunity to attract investment and jobs to Washington. The Department of Health’s Jill Wood said the department’s 2024 fusion work group report aligns with the bill and that HB 1018 is “a technical adjustment aimed at clarifying the regulatory pathway for the fusion industry.” FSEC Executive Director Sonya Bumpas told the committee the bill implements conclusions from an interagency work group that recommended giving fusion facilities a choice of regulatory pathways (FSEC, Ecology’s coordinated permits, or local permitting) and that FSEC stands ready to work with sponsors.
Supporters including Clean & Prosperous Washington and Helion Energy framed the bill as providing regulatory clarity and flexibility for a rapidly developing technology. Testimony emphasized that the bill is narrowly tailored and does not mandate FSEC review, but rather preserves developer choice among existing siting and permitting routes.
No formal committee vote was taken on HB 1018 during the hearing. Committee members asked technical questions about readiness and timelines for commercial fusion deployment; Helion representatives described active work on pre‑production equipment and invited committee members to visit the Everett facility. Agencies and developers said licensing and radiation control registration would remain the Department of Health’s responsibility for applicable facilities.
Ending: The committee closed the hearing with agencies and sponsors indicating coordination on implementation details; no amendments or votes were recorded at this session.
