Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security
This Executive Order (EO 14299) directs rapid federal action to develop, demonstrate, deploy, and export U.S.-designed advanced nuclear reactors (including Generation III+, small modular reactors, microreactors, and mobile reactors) to strengthen national security and ensure resilient power for critical defense facilities, AI infrastructure, and mission-essential resources. It assigns roles and deadlines to the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Energy (DOE), pushes to make nuclear fuel (especially HALEU) available, seeks to streamline permitting and environmental reviews, and directs an aggressive diplomatic and financing push to expand U.S. civil nuclear exports and global market share. The EO’s likely impacts include accelerating military and DOE-site nuclear projects, boosting demand for enriched uranium and domestic fuel fabrication, changing regulatory and environmental review pathways to expedite siting and construction, and increasing U.S. diplomatic and finance activity to promote nuclear exports. It balances these goals with statements requiring adherence to nonproliferation, safety, and existing budgetary and legal authorities, but could raise questions about environmental review, regulatory jurisdiction, and international safeguards.
Key Points
- 1Military reactors and program of record: The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Secretary of the Army (designated executive agent for DoD nuclear energy), must establish a program of record and begin operation of a U.S. Army–regulated nuclear reactor on a domestic military installation by September 30, 2028. DoD will coordinate with DOE, OMB, and service secretaries on policy and law changes within 240 days.
- 2DOE site selection and deployment timeline: The Secretary of Energy must, within 90 days, designate one or more DOE-owned or controlled sites (including national labs) for advanced reactor deployment and prioritize authorizations to operate the first reactor within 30 months of the order (about Nov 2027).
- 3Fuel supply and recycling: Within 90 days DOE must identify recyclable uranium/plutonium in its inventories and make at least 20 metric tons of HALEU available in a fuel bank for private projects authorized to operate at DOE sites. DOE and DoD are directed to use authorities to site and authorize privately funded fuel recycling, reprocessing, and domestic fuel fabrication to support national security and commercial needs.
- 4Export and international engagement: The Secretary of State is to lead aggressive diplomacy on 123 Agreements (peaceful nuclear cooperation) and pursue at least 20 new agreements by the close of the 120th Congress; DOE and other agencies must expedite export authorization processes (DOE to decide within 30 days of a complete application, excluding certain waiting periods). The EO directs strategies to leverage U.S. finance agencies (DFC, EXIM, USTDA), multilateral development banks, and trade tools to promote U.S. nuclear suppliers globally.
- 5Regulatory streamlining and interagency support: The EO directs consultation on using or creating NEPA categorical exclusions and emergency permitting to accelerate siting/construction, authorizes interagency contracts between DoD and DOE for technical support, and prioritizes issuance of DOE/DoD security clearances (L, Q, SECRET, TOP SECRET, RD, CNWDI, SCI) for nuclear energy and fuel cycle work. It reaffirms that actions remain subject to law, appropriations, and OMB procurement/budget authority.