After decades of research, US scientists can now create a nuclear fusion reaction that produces more energy than the reaction requires. The breakthrough means that decades from now, nuclear fusion could become a source of clean, inexpensive energy that doesn’t create long-lived radioactive waste or worsen global warming. However, the technology still faces many obstacles to commercial use, namely money. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre and Josh Siegel break down what to know about DOE’s experiment and how lawmakers are reacting. Plus, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vows to vote on a permitting proposal as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.

Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.

Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.

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