Subcommittee approves brief bill to define "fusion energy" in state code as Virginia welcomes proposed fusion plant

HB 1779, sponsored by Delegate Sullivan, was reported unanimously after brief remarks and supportive testimony from industry, utilities and environmental groups.

The bill adds a definition in Virginia code: “fusion energy means the energy generated through the process of fusing together two atomic nuclei.” The sponsor said the definition is foundational as Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has announced plans to build a commercial fusion facility in Chesterfield County. Testimony described fusion as a distinct physical process from fission, noting it produces no possibility of a runaway chain reaction and lacks long‑lived radioactive waste in the way nuclear fission does.

Supporters included Commonwealth Fusion Systems consultants, Dominion Energy (which noted no ratepayer impact), the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Virginia Department of Energy. The department’s director said the code currently uses ‘‘nuclear’’ in many places to mean fission and that a fusion definition will avoid unintended consequences; witnesses said federal discussions are moving toward similar definitions. No testimony in opposition was recorded. The subcommittee voted to report the bill; the committee record shows the bill passed the subcommittee vote with unanimous support.