05-29-2025

Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security

Executive OrderView the Original .pdf
View the Original .pdf

The 1-Minute Brief

What: Executive Order 14299, issued on May 23, 2025, directs the U.S. government to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors to power critical military and national security facilities, particularly those supporting artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. It aims to bolster national security by ensuring a resilient energy supply, reduce reliance on foreign energy sources, and promote the export of American nuclear technology.

Money: The order does not appropriate new funds but directs federal agencies to utilize existing authorities and resources. It calls for leveraging federally owned uranium and plutonium and promoting private investment. Future costs or savings will depend on the implementation of specific projects and legislative proposals mandated by the order.

Your Impact: For the average American, the most likely direct effect will be minimal in the short term. In the long term, successful implementation could enhance the reliability of the national grid and potentially lower energy costs if nuclear technology becomes more widespread. It may also spur job growth in the nuclear and high-tech sectors.

Status: This is an Executive Order, meaning it is a directive from the President to federal agencies. It is effective as of May 23, 2025. Key agencies have deadlines ranging from 90 to 240 days to deliver strategies, recommendations, and initial site designations.

What's Actually in the Bill

This Executive Order establishes a national policy to expedite the use of advanced nuclear technologies for national security. It addresses the strategic risk posed by the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, such as military bases and AI data centers, to grid failures and external threats. The order mandates specific actions to build a domestic supply chain for nuclear fuel, streamline regulations, and promote U.S. nuclear exports to allies.

Core Provisions:

  • Military Deployment: The Department of Defense must establish a program to use nuclear energy for military installations and deploy an advanced nuclear reactor on a domestic military base by September 30, 2028.
  • AI and Critical Infrastructure: The Department of Energy (DOE) is directed to designate AI data centers at its facilities as critical defense infrastructure and to identify sites for advanced nuclear reactors to power them, with a goal of having the first operational within 30 months of the order.
  • Fuel Supply: The DOE must identify and make available at least 20 metric tons of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) from its own stockpiles for privately funded reactor projects at DOE sites. It also directs agencies to support the development of domestic nuclear fuel recycling and fabrication.
  • Export Promotion: The order calls for an aggressive diplomatic and trade strategy to increase the export of U.S. nuclear technology. This includes pursuing at least 20 new "123 Agreements" (bilateral pacts for peaceful nuclear cooperation) by the end of the 120th Congress and expediting export authorizations.
  • Regulatory Streamlining: It directs agencies to consult on using categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to speed up the construction of advanced reactors on federal sites.

Stated Purpose (from the Sponsors):

The order states its purpose is to address the "critical national security imperative to ensure a resilient, secure, and reliable energy supply for critical defense facilities." The administration aims to:

  1. Accelerate the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies for national security objectives.
  2. Incentivize private sector investment and innovation in the U.S. nuclear industry.
  3. Enhance the U.S.'s ability to export nuclear technology to allies, strengthening shared security and combating reliance on foreign adversaries like Russia and China.
  4. Unleash the domestic nuclear industrial base to position American companies as global leaders.

Key Facts:

Affected Sectors: Energy, Defense, Technology (specifically AI), and International Trade.
Timeline: Includes several near-term deadlines: 90 days for the DOE to designate reactor sites and for various agencies to develop export and financing strategies; 240 days for the Department of Defense to submit legislative and regulatory recommendations; and a target of September 30, 2028, for the first military reactor to be operational.
Scope: The order has a national scope, focusing on federal sites within the U.S., but with significant international implications due to its export promotion policies.

The Backstory: How We Got Here

Timeline of Events:

The Post-Cold War Lull and Nuclear Stagnation (1990s-2010s):

Following the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 and the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, public opinion and political will for nuclear energy waned in the United States. For decades, new reactor construction stalled due to high costs, complex regulations, and concerns over waste disposal. The U.S. nuclear fleet aged, with the average reactor now over 40 years old. During this period, state-owned enterprises in Russia and China began to dominate the global nuclear export market, building long-term strategic relationships with developing nations.

The New Tech and Energy Landscape (2020s):

Two major shifts created the impetus for this executive order. First, the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence created an enormous new demand for electricity. AI data centers are projected to be a primary driver of electricity demand growth in the U.S. through 2030, raising concerns about grid stability and energy security. Second, geopolitical tensions with Russia and China highlighted the strategic vulnerability of relying on foreign supply chains, particularly for energy. Russia currently dominates the global market for enriched uranium. This led to a renewed interest in advanced nuclear designs, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, which promise greater safety and flexibility. The Department of Defense has been exploring these technologies for years through programs like Project Pele, which aims to build a transportable microreactor for remote bases.

Why Now? The Political Calculus:

  • AI Dominance: The administration views leadership in AI as inextricably linked to energy dominance. A recent initiative, dubbed the "Stargate" project, aims to build up to 10 massive data centers requiring gigawatts of power, making secure energy a top national security priority.
  • Geopolitical Competition: The order is a direct response to Russia and China's success in using nuclear exports to build geopolitical influence. By revitalizing its own nuclear industry and export capabilities, the U.S. seeks to offer an alternative to nations seeking energy independence, thereby countering the influence of its primary adversaries.
  • Bipartisan Momentum: After decades of polarization, nuclear energy is experiencing a resurgence of bipartisan support. Driven by climate concerns on the left and energy independence goals on the right, recent polls show majority support for expanding nuclear power. This political shift provides a favorable environment for ambitious executive action.

Your Real-World Impact

The Direct Answer: This order primarily affects the defense, technology, and energy industries, but its long-term success could impact grid reliability and energy costs for everyone.

What Could Change for You:

Potential Benefits:

  • Enhanced Grid Stability: By providing a constant, carbon-free power source for critical infrastructure, advanced nuclear reactors could make the U.S. energy grid more resilient to extreme weather, cyberattacks, and demand spikes from technologies like AI.
  • Job Creation: A revitalized domestic nuclear industry, from fuel fabrication to reactor manufacturing, could create thousands of high-paying jobs in engineering, construction, and manufacturing.
  • Energy Independence: Reducing reliance on foreign uranium and nuclear technology could insulate the U.S. from global energy price shocks and geopolitical manipulation by adversaries.

Possible Disruptions or Costs:

Short-term (1-5 years):

  • Regulatory Battles: Efforts to streamline environmental reviews under NEPA are likely to face legal challenges from environmental groups, which could cause delays.
  • Local Opposition: Siting new nuclear facilities, even on federal land, could face opposition from nearby communities concerned about safety and nuclear waste.

Long-term:

  • Nuclear Waste: The order focuses on deployment but does not solve the long-standing political challenge of where to permanently store spent nuclear fuel.
  • Cost Overruns: Historically, U.S. nuclear projects have been plagued by significant delays and cost overruns, which could ultimately be borne by taxpayers or ratepayers if government subsidies or loan guarantees are involved.

Who's Most Affected:

Primary Groups: Department of Defense personnel, Department of Energy employees and contractors, the U.S. nuclear industry (designers, manufacturers, fuel suppliers), and the AI/data center industry.
Secondary Groups: Utility companies, state and local governments near proposed sites, environmental advocacy groups, and international trade partners.
Regional Impact: States with major military bases, national laboratories (like Idaho, Tennessee, and South Carolina), and existing nuclear infrastructure are most likely to see new projects and investment.

Bottom Line: This executive order is a strategic bet that advanced nuclear power can solve two of the 21st century's biggest challenges: powering the AI revolution and checking the geopolitical influence of Russia and China.

Where the Parties Stand

Republican Position: "Energy Dominance"

Core Stance: Strongly supportive of accelerating the use of nuclear energy to ensure U.S. energy independence and national security.

Their Arguments:

  • ✓ Nuclear power is a reliable, carbon-free energy source essential for a powerful economy.
  • ✓ Reducing regulatory burdens (like those under NEPA) is critical to building new reactors quickly and affordably.
  • ✓ A strong domestic nuclear industry is vital to competing with China and Russia on the world stage.
  • ⚠️ While generally supportive, some fiscal conservatives may express concern over potential government subsidies or cost overruns associated with new nuclear projects.

Legislative Strategy: Generally aligned with the order's goals. Likely to support legislative proposals that streamline permitting, fund research and development, and promote nuclear exports.

Democratic Position: "A Key Climate Solution"

Core Stance: Increasingly supportive of nuclear energy as a necessary tool to combat climate change, though support is not as uniform as in the Republican party.

Their Arguments:

  • ✓ Nuclear energy provides 24/7 clean power, which is essential for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
  • ✓ U.S. leadership in nuclear technology can set high standards for safety and non-proliferation globally.
  • ⚠️ Concerns remain among some Democrats about nuclear waste, safety, and the high cost of new reactors compared to renewables like solar and wind.
  • ✗ Strong opposition to any efforts that are seen as gutting environmental protections under NEPA or that bypass community input.

Legislative Strategy: Will likely support the parts of the order focused on clean energy and competing with China. However, they will push for robust safety oversight, environmental reviews, and solutions for nuclear waste. Expect scrutiny and potential opposition to attempts to significantly weaken NEPA.

Constitutional Check

The Verdict: ✓ Constitutional

Basis of Authority:

The President is issuing this order based on their authority as Commander-in-Chief and the executive authority vested in the office by Article II of the Constitution. The order directs the actions of executive branch agencies (Defense, Energy, State) in furtherance of national security and congressionally defined objectives. The specific programs draw authority from existing laws like the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.

U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 2: "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States..."

Constitutional Implications:

[Executive Authority]: The order is a valid exercise of the President's power to direct the executive branch on matters of national security and foreign policy. It does not create new law but rather directs agencies to prioritize and implement existing laws and policies in a specific way.
[Precedent]: Presidents have long used executive orders to set national policy priorities, particularly in the realms of defense, energy, and national security.
[Federalism]: The order primarily focuses on federal actions on federal lands and facilities, thereby avoiding direct infringement on powers reserved for the states. However, it encourages coordination with state and local governments.

Potential Legal Challenges:

The most likely legal challenges will not be against the Executive Order itself, but against the specific agency actions it directs.

  • NEPA Lawsuits: Environmental groups are almost certain to sue, arguing that any attempt to use "categorical exclusions" to fast-track reactor construction violates the National Environmental Policy Act's requirement for a thorough environmental impact assessment.
  • Administrative Procedure Act: Opponents may challenge specific rules or licenses issued by the DOE or NRC, arguing they are "arbitrary and capricious" or were issued without adequate public input as required by the APA.

Your Action Options

TO SUPPORT THIS BILL

5-Minute Actions:

  • Call Your Rep/Senators: Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121. "I'm a constituent from [Your City/Town] and I support Executive Order 14299. I urge [Rep./Sen. Name] to support funding and legislation that accelerates the safe deployment of advanced nuclear energy for our national security."

30-Minute Deep Dive:

  • Write a Detailed Email: Contact members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to express your support for the order's goals.
  • Join an Organization: Groups like the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), Third Way, and the American Nuclear Society (ANS) advocate for nuclear energy.

TO OPPOSE THIS BILL

5-Minute Actions:

  • Call Your Rep/Senators: Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121. "I'm a constituent from [Your City/Town] and I have concerns about Executive Order 14299. I urge [Rep./Sen. Name] to ensure robust safety and environmental oversight for any new nuclear projects and to oppose any weakening of the National Environmental Policy Act."

30-Minute Deep Dive:

  • Write a Letter to the Editor: Submit a letter to your local newspaper outlining your concerns about nuclear safety, waste disposal, cost, or the potential for streamlined environmental reviews.
  • Join an Organization: Groups like the Union of Concerned Scientists, Beyond Nuclear, and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) advocate for stringent oversight and often raise concerns about nuclear expansion.