Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security

The order directs the Army to establish a program of record for nuclear energy at military installations and to commence operation of a nuclear reactor — regulated by the Army itself — at a domestic military base no later than September 30, 2028. It directs the Department of Energy to designate one or more federal sites, including national laboratories, for privately funded advanced nuclear reactors within 90 days, with a goal of operating the first reactor within 30 months of signing. The Department of Energy must also release at least 20 metric tons of high-assay low-enriched uranium (a fuel enriched above standard commercial levels) into a fuel bank for qualifying private projects, and must identify all excess uranium and plutonium inventories for potential recycling into reactor fuel. The Secretary of State is directed to pursue at least 20 new international agreements for peaceful nuclear cooperation by the end of the 120th Congress.

Multiple agencies face 90-day deadlines to develop strategies for nuclear export financing, multilateral development bank support, and global competitiveness programs for American nuclear suppliers. Agencies are directed to use existing categorical exclusions and to develop new ones to streamline environmental review under NEPA. Implementation is subject to available appropriations; the order does not itself appropriate funds or change existing statutes, so congressional action will be required for new spending.

Department of Defense and Army personnel managing military energy infrastructure; Department of Energy national laboratories that may host new reactors; private nuclear companies seeking to build reactors on federal land or export technology abroad; AI data center operators at DoE facilities; allied and partner nations targeted for new nuclear cooperation agreements; and the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.

Military installations gain a directed path toward on-site nuclear power that is independent of the commercial electric grid. Private nuclear companies gain access to federal land, government-supplied uranium fuel, and diplomatic support for foreign sales. Countries considering nuclear energy expansion become targets of active U.S. government promotion and financing efforts.

The Army acts as executive agent for all DoD nuclear energy, with DoE providing technical support and State advising on international obligations. Separate 90-day tracks run in parallel: DoE site designations, uranium inventory identification, export financing strategies, and a State Department supplier competitiveness program. DoD submits legislative and regulatory recommendations at 240 days. The Council on Environmental Quality works with DoD and DoE to apply or create categorical exclusions that shorten NEPA review timelines for construction. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency is directed to prioritize issuing nuclear-related security clearances to accelerate workforce access. All actions are subject to OMB budget processes and existing appropriations.