AB 1172

This bill requires California's State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to assess the potential for fusion energy (a different nuclear technology from traditional fission reactors) to contribute to California's power supply as part of their 2027 integrated energy policy report. The integrated energy policy report is a biennial assessment that analyzes energy trends, forecasts system reliability, and makes policy recommendations for the state's energy future. By mandating the inclusion of fusion energy in this assessment, the bill aims to explore whether this emerging clean energy technology could help California meet its clean energy objectives, while notably distinguishing fusion from the existing restrictions on nuclear fission plants in the state.