ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how Congress deals with such complex, expensive, and long–term technological projects, drawing primarily upon the experiences of the US fusion energy program. The more familiar technique of nuclear fission, which involves “splitting” the nucleus of a single heavy atom, fusion produces energy by “fusing” the nuclei of two light atoms, like hydrogen or helium. The literature in decision theory helps to provide a framework for understanding how policy makers might approach issues of the type. Theorists have long been aware that if the cause and effect premises of a given problem are unknown or in doubt, decision-makers will rely upon value premises instead. The fusion energy program has two seemingly unrelated histories, one in the laboratory and one in the Congress. The case of controlled nuclear fusion, a program to develop a new technology— particularly one stretching across decades—may be forces to shift direction more than once during its lifetime.
