This Week’s Fusion News: March 6, 2026
Things You Gotta Know
NRC Approves Construction Permit for TerraPower's Natrium Reactor in Wyoming
The NRC has authorized a construction permit for TerraPower's Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 in Wyoming, the first commercial reactor approval in nearly a decade and the first for a non-light water design in over 40 years. The 345 MW sodium-cooled fast reactor includes molten salt energy storage capable of boosting output to 500 MWe during peak demand. TerraPower plans to begin construction in the coming weeks, with completion expected in 2030.
Mitsui Invests in MiRESSO, Expanding Its Fusion Energy Supply Chain Portfolio
Mitsui & Co. has taken a stake in MiRESSO Co., Ltd., a Japan-based company that has developed a low-temperature beryllium refining process for the fusion energy supply chain. MiRESSO's method refines beryllium ore at roughly 300°C under atmospheric pressure, compared to the approximately 2,000°C required by conventional approaches. This is Mitsui's third fusion investment, following Kyoto Fusioneering in 2023 and Commonwealth Fusion Systems in 2025.
Ohio Introduces the Fusion Energy Advancement Act
State Rep. Brian Lorenz (R-Powell) has introduced legislation to create a regulatory and economic framework for fusion energy in Ohio. The bill would task the Ohio Department of Development with convening a Fusion Energy Working Group within one year to identify regulatory gaps and assess workforce and supply chain needs. The legislation does not subsidize or mandate fusion, and Lorenz cited Washington state's fusion regulatory framework as a model.
The US, Iran, and World Energy Policies
The U.S. has cut Persian Gulf oil imports to under 10% of its total, but allies like Japan still source 95% of their crude from the region. With war in Iran threatening global oil markets, the case for accelerating alternatives grows stronger regardless of who actually burns the barrels.
Interview with Keith LeChien, CTO of Pacific Fusion
Pacific Fusion CTO Keith LeChien walks us through the Impedance-Matched Marx Generator technology, the company’s milestone-based roadmap to net facility gain by 2030, and a major new announcement: a call for Expressions of Interest inviting external users to access what will be the highest-flux neutron source on the planet.
Are We Facing a Power Grid Reliability Crisis?
Is the U.S. power grid headed for a reliability crisis? With electricity demand surging from data centers, EVs, and industrial electrification — while coal plants retire at record pace — regional power shortfalls could hit as early as 2029. We break down what's driving the strain and what it will take to keep the lights on.
