Chevron's venture capital arm buys stake in nuclear fusion startup Zap Energy

The size of the investment was not disclosed. Seattle-based Zap has also received Energy Department funding.

The big picture: If — if! — decadeslong efforts to develop fusion power ever succeed, it promises an essentially limitless source of carbon-free power without the dangerous waste associated with traditional fission reactors.

Where it stands: Per Reuters, the huge oil-and-gas companies Equinor and Eni have also backed nuclear fusion startups.