In honor of Independence Day, a glimpse of my editorial for the now mailing issue of EnergyBiz:

MobilExxon last year posted the highest profits of any corporation ever - $40.6.billion or $1,287 a second. Surely the people of the United States – and their political representatives in Washington – can dig deep and find the equivalent of the profits contributed to one large oil company in just 46.5 hours – less than two days - to fund our country’s share of the international fusion research effort, ITER, in 2009.

Michael Loughlin, who works at ITER on nuclear shielding analysis and coordination, said that the unprecedented energy challenges ahead will require political leaders to lead. “We have to have the best scientists here,” he said. “We need the best politicians as well to provide us with the resources to do our job.”

Fusion represents the potential of a relatively clean form of nuclear power that could well provide a major new source of power mid-century.

One of the greatest contributions to continued American independence would be to bring this technology at long last to fruition. Call your Congress person and say just two words.

FUND ITER!

If they don't know what you are talking about send them to our ITER coverage.