SAFER's Mission:

SAFER (Scientists Advocating Fusion Energy Research) consists of individual scientists, engineers, and others who advocate renewed investment in fusion science research. We believe that fusion energy can provide an abundant supply of safe and clean energy and that research and development of this technology must be pursued agressively now. SAFER was formed in 1996 and is independent of any professional organization, scientific institution, industry, or political party.

Why Do This?

Very simply, "...the primary responsibility for making the case to Congress and the American people belongs to the science and technology community." [ John H. Gibbons, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology ] That's us, whether we're physicists, engineers, technicians, office staff, janitors, dishwashers, or even merely graduate students. It's up to all of us who care about science and technology to make a difference. After all, if we don't - who will? So get involved! (Besides, it's actually sort of fun!)

This site is dedicated to distributing information on SAFER's advocacy in the political sphere. We also have a site for fusion energy information and general outreach.

1997 SAFER Activities:

• SAFER is currently drafting a letter asking to testify in front of the House Appropriations Committee's subcommittee on Energy & Water.
• SAFER members will ensure that everyone they know writes to Congress this year. We'll be out roaming the halls and pestering friends and loved ones to sit down for 20 minutes and JUST DO IT!
• SAFER members will arrange for 10-15 minute visits with their Senators and Representatives on behalf of SAFER and their home institutions, to discuss the importance of supporting fusion energy research.
• SAFER as a group will accumulate the information needed to support these activities here (see below) and on the SAFER information/outreach site.
• Jan. 17 - 21: SAFER members contacted their representatives to support the Gramm Resolution to double federal non-defense research spending over the next ten years. (Sample Letter)

SAFER Political Information Exchange (SAFER PIX):

• Physics and Government (tools from the American Institute of Physics)
• Order of Preference for Working With Congress:
  1. meet face-to-face (at home in district if possible, otherwise in D.C.)
  2. letters (the nice, polite, brief, paper kind - see a Sample)
  3. fax (also the nice, polite, brief kind)
  4. phone call (nice, polite, brief - a pattern forms...)
  5. email message (nice, polite, brief, include your postal address)
• Senate contact info
• Tentative 1997 Congressional Calendar (AIP, 1997 FYI#5)
• Relevant Information Networks to Plug Into:
  • Grassroots Network of the American Physical Society's Division of Plasma Physics (email Saralyn Stewart at stewart@hagar.ph.utexas.edu to join).
  • University Fusion Association (email drake@plasma.umd.edu to join)
  • Sign up to receive What's New by Bob Parks at the American Physical Society
  • Sign up to receive the FYI Electronic Newsletter from the American Institute of Physics (AIP)
• Other Online Resources:
  • www.politicsnow.com info
  Note - It may well be illegal to use government resources (e.g., email accounts, computers funded by DOE, etc.) to lobby Congress. If you have a personal account through a service such as GeoCities or AOL, use that instead.

Join SAFER!

More information about SAFER and additional useful links will be added to this page as we develop our site.

More Information about Fusion Energy Research

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P.S. Here are some names we rejected, provided for your amusement:

• Independent Researchers Advocating Thermonuclear Energy (IRATE)
• Support Under-Funded Fusion Energy Researchers! (SUFFER!)
• Fusion Outreach Opportunities for Laboratory Scientists (FOOLS)
• Scientists Troubled by Reduced Investment in Fusion Energy (STRIFE)