President Orders Mini-Nukes for Bases to Outpace Rivals
Published Date: 5/29/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
The U.S. government is speeding up the use of advanced nuclear reactors to keep important military and security sites powered safely and without interruptions. This means faster development and sharing of American nuclear tech with allies to stay ahead of rivals. Companies and defense facilities will see new opportunities, with efforts kicking off right away and backed by strong government support.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
HALEU Fuel Bank: 20 Metric Tons
Within 90 days of May 23, 2025 (by August 21, 2025), the Secretary of Energy must identify DOE uranium and plutonium inventories and release not less than 20 metric tons of high assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) into a readily available fuel bank for any private-sector project authorized to build and operate at a DOE-owned or controlled site regulated by DOE to power AI and other infrastructure.
Reactor Operation at Military Base
The Secretary of Defense, through the Secretary of the Army, must commence operation of a nuclear reactor regulated by the U.S. Army at a domestic military installation no later than September 30, 2028. The Secretary of the Army is designated executive agent for nuclear energy across the Department of Defense.
DOE Site Designation and 30-Month Goal
Within 90 days of May 23, 2025 (by August 21, 2025), the Secretary of Energy must designate one or more Department of Energy sites, including national laboratories, for deployment of advanced nuclear reactors. The Secretary of Energy will prioritize site work with a goal of operating an advanced nuclear reactor at the first site no later than 30 months from May 23, 2025 (by November 23, 2027).
Push for 20 New 123 Agreements
The Secretary of State is instructed to aggressively pursue at least 20 new Section 123 Agreements for peaceful nuclear cooperation by the close of the 120th Congress, and to renegotiate expiring agreements over the next decade to help U.S. nuclear industry access new markets.
30-Day Export Authorization Target
The Secretary of Energy, with concurrence of the Secretary of State and after consultation with other agencies, shall approve or deny each technology transfer export authorization request within 30 days of receipt of a complete application and required analysis, excluding time waiting for State concurrence or retransfer/nonproliferation assurances.
Finance and Trade Strategy for Exports
Within 90 days of May 23, 2025 (by August 21, 2025), the Director of OSTP and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, with several agencies, must develop a strategy to optimize use of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the Export-Import Bank, trade missions, and other tools to expand financing, grant support, and trade promotion for U.S. civil nuclear technology worldwide.
Priority Issuance of Nuclear Clearances
The Secretary of Defense, via the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency and in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall prioritize issuance of Department of Energy and Department of Defense security clearances, including 'L', 'Q', 'SECRET', 'TOP SECRET', 'RD', 'CNWDI', and 'SCI', to support rapid distribution and use of nuclear energy and fuel cycle technologies.
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