Fusion energy — tapping the power of the stars — is on the cusp of getting new federal rules.

Why it matters: Regulators increasingly view fusion as fundamentally safer than nuclear fission, helping to pave the way for a substantially simpler permitting process than the one faced by conventional nuclear plants.

Driving the news : The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission is closing the public comment period on the proposed rule on Wednesday, with a final regulation expected as soon as this fall.

The big picture : Fusion electricity doesn't yet exist in reality, but industry leaders see this regulatory move as fundamental to commercializing the technology in the United States in the next decade.

"This is a big deal — we've been working toward this for a long time," said Andrew Holland, CEO of the Fusion Industry Association.

How it works : Fission — the type of nuclear energy widely used today — generates power by splitting heavy atoms apart, creating heat for electricity but also long-lived radioactive…