The Ohio Fusion Energy Advancement Act would create rules for the implementation of developing nuclear energy technology

Legislation to establish a framework for implementing a developing form of nuclear energy in Ohio has been introduced in the House of Representatives.

Fusion energy, a hydrogen-based process for generating nuclear energy, has recently been the focus of regulations at the local, state, and federal levels.

Rep. Brian Lorenz, R-Powell, held a press conference to announce the introduction of the Ohio Fusion Energy Advancement Act on Feb. 26.

“This bill establishes a clear, responsible regulatory framework for fusion energy in Ohio,” Lorenz said. “Fusion energy is no longer science fiction. It is real. It is advancing rapidly, and states that prepare now will lead, while those that hesitate will be left trying to catch up.”

The Republican congressman said the legislation would focus on providing rules for energy companies seeking to implement fusion energy.

“This bill does not subsidize fusion, it does not mandate fusion, and it does not lower safety standards,” Lorenz said. “What it does is provide clarity so innovators know the rules.”

Fusion energy is a form of nuclear energy produced by combining the atomic nuclei of hydrogen isotopes, the same process that powers the sun and other stars, according to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Fusion energy is a different process from nuclear fission, the method currently used in U.S. nuclear power plants.

Fission energy relies on the splitting of heavy atoms and uses uranium and petroleum as fuel sources. Fusion energy production would not produce the long-lived waste that fission energy does, and has a lower risk of uncontrolled chain reactions.

Brian Yinger, the founder of the Columbus Fusion Company, also spoke at the press conference and answered questions about how fusion energy could address Ohio’s energy shortfalls.

“I would say that it could supply what we need outright, but it’s not going to replace what we have already in the pipeline,” Yinger said. “I’m sure you’ve heard about the 9.2 gigawatt natural gas plant going in Portsmouth.”

“That’s going to do a lot to alleviate it. This is in addition to those types of energy generation moving forward.”

Yinger also said that fission energy plants would use less land than other renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, leaving more land available for agricultural use.

Lorenz said that the Act would also create the Ohio Fusion Energy Working Group to identify regulatory gaps, assess workforce and supply chain needs, and develop economic development strategies, according to a press release about the legislation.

“Fusion energy promises clean, reliable, and abundant power, and Ohio must be a leader, not a follower, Lorenz said. “By creating the Ohio Fusion Energy Working Group, we’ll bring together our top scientists, industry leaders, and policymakers to remove barriers, grow our workforce, and create new economic opportunities.”

Fusion energy is not currently used commercially, but lawmakers have taken steps to create frameworks for its use on both the state and federal levels.

The NRC published a draft of rules for fusion energy production based on previous legislation on Feb. 26.

Definitions and rules related to fusion energy were included in the ADVANCE Act, a federal law passed and signed in 2024, according to the NRC.

A fusion power plant is being built in Washington state by Helion Energy and is expected to deliver 50 megawatts of energy to Microsoft, according to a page from the company’s website.

Washington passed legislation that created a permitting process for fusion energy in 2025.

Chesterfield County in Virginia approved a zoning request from Commonwealth Fusion Systems to build a 400 megawatt power plant in September 2025, according to Virginia Business.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Discroll announced that they would work with the University of Massachusetts to develop nuclear and fusion energy roadmaps in October 2025.