U.S. government ignites controversy over NIF laser fusion

The U.S. Department of Energy celebrated the completion of the world's largest laser at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), housed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The celebration drew Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Energy Secretary Steven Chu. Some experts hope the laser could lead to fusion plants capable of generating more energy than they use. Others criticize the project for being primarily focused on nuclear weapons research and complained about the weapons-grade plutonium used in the device. What galls Marylia Kelley of Tri-Valley CAREs, is the new focus on fusion energy as a critical aim of NIF, when nuclear weapons work was the reason Congress approved the project.  "I've seen NIF marketed three different ways through three different administrations," Kelley said. "But the laser itself hasn't changed. Suddenly with Obama and global warming, it's somehow going to solve the energy crisis."  She commented, "My group is very supportive of genuine alternative, non-polluting renewable energy technologies. The National Ignition Facility is not, and never will be, that type of technology."