University of Arizona highlights fusion research and calls for federal investment

Thomas (self‑identified as Thomas Tiafilarubia), senior vice president for research and partnerships at the University of Arizona, told the House Science and Technology Committee on Feb. 11 that recent experiments at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory mark a turning point for fusion energy and described pathways Arizona can take to build a fusion industry.

In testimony, Thomas said the December 2022 milestone at Lawrence Livermore demonstrated controlled fusion in the laboratory and that subsequent public and private investments have created a national fusion hub and substantial venture capital flows. He described fusion as a high‑energy‑density, low‑emissions energy source that could supply base load power and process heat for industrial uses such as desalination.

Committee members asked about regulatory oversight, timelines and how fusion compares with small modular reactors. Thomas said the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is developing fusion rules (he referenced “title 30” during remarks) and estimated that with accelerated federal and private investment fusion commercialization could occur in roughly 12–15 years. He contrasted that timeline with SMRs, saying SMRs benefit from decades of reactor‑building experience and licensing is largely a regulatory challenge.

Thomas emphasized the need to retain manufacturing and supply chains in the U.S. and called for a public‑private partnership on the scale of the venture capital backing fusion startups; he and University of Arizona President Garimella urged a federal investment of roughly $15 billion over the next decade in an op‑ed they co‑authored, Thomas said.

The committee thanked the university for the presentation and invited ongoing updates. Thomas said the university is working with private partners and federal agencies to develop infrastructure, supply chains and talent to position Arizona as a potential site for early commercialized fusion efforts.