The results of world wide fusion research during the last decade indicate that fusion can be an energy source. A key challenge for fusion energy science research is to optimize the science and technology to make fusion practical and affordable. To address this challenge, the U.S. fusion energy community is now working together with subcommittees of SEAB (Secretary of Energy Advisory Board), NRC (National Research Council), and FESAC (Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee) to develop a coherent plan for the next decade. This plan will include paths for both energy and science goals, address the needs for both magnetic and inertial fusion options, and take into account related international programs.

To provide input to this plan, individuals involved with fusion research are meeting to interact with each other and to work to develop a scientific and technical basis for consensus on:

• Key issues for plasma science, technology, and energy and environment for fusion energy development
  
  
• Opportunities and potential contributions of existing and possible future facilities and programs to reduce fusion development costs and achieve attractive economic and environmental features.

The participants of the workshop will publish a proceeding of technical activities.

Leading experts in plasma science, in fusion technology, and in all approaches to magnetic and inertial fusion energy including international representatives will attend the workshop. The 1999 Fusion Summer Study will be the first open workshop aimed to provide a technical basis for the broad development of the field. The 1999 Fusion Summer Study is also endorsed by the American Physical Society (APS) and by the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Division of Fusion Energy. It is co-sponsored by the DOE and the national fusion science research laboratories and organizations (PPPL, GA, LLNL, MIT/PSFC, LANL, SNL, LBNL, VLT, ORNL, FPA, and the UFA).

Planning for the 1999 Fusion Summer Study began in March, 1998 in response to recommendations by the FESAC and to a request by the APS Division of Plasma Physics (DPP). With the encouragement and advice of the APS-DPP, a technically broad and institutionally diverse planning committee of more than 40 scientists and engineers was recruited to organize the scientific and technical content of the workshop. The summer study is co-chaired by Richard Hawryluk (PPPL), Grant Logan (LLNL), and Mike Mauel (Columbia University).

Selection of the date and location for the workshop occurred during April-August, 1998. Requirements for the meeting were determined through consultation with past chairs of similar workshops conducted by the APS Division of Particles and Fields and through discussions with fusion program leaders. The summer study requires a low-cost meeting site that can accommodate over 300 people, a central location to minimize travel costs, and a date that would not interfere with other scientific meetings or with university academic calendars. Inquiries were made to more than seven potential sites to host the meeting. The Snowmass site was selected because (1) its off-season rates were the lowest among those considered, and (2) the Snowmass organization has experience hosting other scientific workshops similar to the fusion summer study. The Snowmass site is relatively isolated, free of the normal disturbances present in laboratories and universities, and its setting is conducive to intense and spirited discussions. The proximity of the Aspen Center for Physics and its library facilities enhance the attraction of Snowmass as a site for the Summer Study.

Questions, comments, or additional information should be sent to John DeLooper at jdeloope@pppl.gov