January 3, 2002

The Honorable Sherwood Boehlert
Chairman
Committee on Science
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Boehlert:

Thank you for your letter of November 1, 2001, which encouraged the Department of Energy to send representatives to the international discussions recently begun on the future of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project and which pointed out the urgency of taking advantage of the opportunity that ITER represents.

Both the Department and the U.S. fusion community recognize the importance of burning plasma physics to continue the progress of fusion energy sciences. We have been following closely the progress by the ITER Parties in developing a more attractive, lower cost design for the proposed facility, and most recently, the movements toward concrete site proposals and detailed preparations to begin construction.

Representatives of other governments have asked that the Department review its current policy toward ITER. I have agreed to explore the current ITER option before us to determine if it is appropriate for the Department - and for the Nation - in the light of the President's National Energy Policy. We will proceed carefully and deliberately, since a U.S. commitment to ITER could imply commitment beyond this Administration. I anticipate completing our initial review in the next few months.

Thank you for your interest in ITER. If you have any further questions, please contact me or Mr. Dan R. Brouillette, Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, on (202) 586-5450.

Sincerely,
Spencer Abraham