Legis
Energy
Executive order · Friday 23 May 2025

Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies For National Security

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  • The United States has a national security imperative to ensure a secure and reliable energy supply for critical defense facilities, especially concerning advanced computing infrastructure for AI and other mission capabilities.

  • Vulnerabilities in energy supply pose strategic risks, necessitating the rapid development of advanced nuclear reactors (e.g., Generation III+, small modular reactors, and microreactors) to support these needs.

  • The Federal Government is tasked with accelerating the development, demonstration, deployment, and export of advanced nuclear technologies.

  • Policy Objectives:

    • Rapid development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies for critical infrastructure.
    • Enable private sector investment in advanced nuclear technologies by aligning federal incentives.
    • Coordinate regulatory efforts between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Energy (DOE).

  • Action Steps:

    • The Secretary of Defense will establish a nuclear energy program and commence the operation of a nuclear reactor by September 30, 2028.
    • The Secretary of Energy will provide technical support for advanced nuclear reactors at military installations.
    • A 240-day timeline for recommending legislative proposals and regulatory actions regarding advanced nuclear reactors on military sites.

  • The Secretary of Energy will:

    • Designate AI data centers in coordination with DOE as critical defense facilities.
    • Identify Department of Energy sites for advanced nuclear technology deployment within 90 days.
    • Ensure legal processes for the siting and operation of advanced reactor technologies at DOE sites.

  • Fuel Supply Initiatives:

    • Identify and process useful uranium and plutonium material for domestic reactor fuel.
    • Release at least 20 metric tons of high assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) for private sector projects.
    • Facilitate the establishment of domestic nuclear fuel fabrication and supply chains.

  • Support for Implementation:

    • The DoD and DOE will use various authorities to support contracts necessary for the integration of nuclear technologies at installations.
    • Consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality for regulatory streamlining and categorical exclusions related to nuclear projects.

  • International Cooperation:

    • The Secretary of State will lead diplomatic efforts to establish new nuclear cooperation agreements and renegotiate existing ones to enhance market access for the U.S. nuclear industry.
    • Strategies to enhance global competitiveness of U.S. nuclear technology suppliers will be developed within 90 days.

  • Security and Compliance:

    • The Secretary of Defense will prioritize security clearances for personnel to facilitate the use of nuclear technologies.
    • The order will be executed in line with existing budget and legislative processes.

  • Legal and Procedural Considerations:

    • The order does not create enforceable rights or benefits and will be implemented in compliance with legal and safety standards.