The Nation - News from April 9, 1989

The Utah Legislature overwhelmingly approved $5 million to finance a reported discovery of simple, safe and inexpensive nuclear fusion that University of Utah scientists say could revolutionize energy production. With only two dissenting votes, the 75-member House in Salt Lake City approved separate bills establishing an oversight committee and appropriating $5 million through fiscal 1990 for fusion research and development. The state Senate approved the measures with only a single opposing vote cast. Fusion was the sole topic of a one-day special session of the Legislature, called by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter to support the discovery announced March 23 by researchers at the university.