France has been chosen to host the world’s first nuclear fusion reactor, an international consortium decision that passed over Japan’s bid for building it.

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, a $13 billion project, is being launched in the hopes that the world’s reliance on fossil fuels will one day minimized or eliminated. Nuclear fusion replicates the method by which stars, such as the sun, produce energy. Energy produced in this manner has an endless supply, and minimal waste.

The international consortium consisted of the United States, Japan, China, the European Union, Russia, and South Korea, who helped make the decision on where the reactor would be developed.

"This is a great success for France, for Europe and for all of the partners in the ITER," French President Jacques Chirac said. "The international community will now be able to take on an unprecedented scientific and technological challenge, which opens great hopes for providing humanity with an energy that has no impact on the environment and is practically inexhaustible."

Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2014 providing around 10,000 jobs for the local economy.

The parties involved in site selection were sharply divided. The US, Japan, and South Korea argued to build the facility in Rokkasho, Japan. But eventually, China, Russia, and the European Union persuaded the others that Cadarache, one of the largest nuclear research centers in Europe, already had the technical support facilities and experience for the project.

Japan was disappointed in the decision but was satiated by being granted a larger role in research and operations.

"Japan is happy and sad at the same time. We decided to overcome the sorrow and turn the sorrow into joy. Japan in the future will be ready to make contribution to the development of fusion energy," said Nariaki Nakayama, Japan's minister for education, science and technology.

Well, being the 'first' reactor, if something goes wrong... as in, **booom**, Japan will feel better that it wasn't over there.

If all goes well and it works, all the other countries can build their own and thank France for being the guinea pig.

Personally, I'm just glad it's being built, no matter where.

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That's funny, they're just pretending to be sad while breathing a huge sigh of relief. Besides, is there any room in Japan to build anything on their little island anymore? :)

I agree with jawn-tech - I'm glad we're looking into alternate sources of energy. Our reliance on fossil fuel is scary, especially when so many other sources of energy are available. Did you know that Willy Nelson drives a motor home around the US that runs on a fuel made of corn? Why aren't more electric cars being made by the big three - what's the failure there?

The alternatives are not owned by the Bush family so there's no financial reward to them... Oops, did I say that?

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The beauty of this is the international community is who is doing it, so (crossing fingers) oil-powered-politics can't get in the way...hopefully. But when the plant is a success, I read this one plant could power the whole world with electric-powered-everything for 2000 years.

I don't know why this isn't bigger news than it is. With all the news about the complaints of gas prices, why isn't everyone talking about the first fusion power in 9 short years?

Yeah, and ethanol -- the car industry should have switched over to this years ago. Made from corn, sugar cane, etc, no fossil fuels.

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