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Title 10 — Armed ForcesRelease 119-83

§6275 Limits on Construction Projects

Title 10 › Subtitle Subtitle A— General Military Law › Part VI— ELEMENTS OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND OTHER MATTERS › Subpart B— Atomic Energy Defense › Chapter 607— BUDGET AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT MATTERS › Subchapter I— RECURRING NATIONAL SECURITY AUTHORIZATION PROVISIONS › § 6275

Last updated Apr 18, 2026|Official source

Summary

Federal law stops the Department of Energy from starting work or agreeing to spend more money on a national security construction project when the latest cost estimate goes up by more than 25% above the larger of (1) the amount authorized for the project or (2) the cost shown in the most recent budget papers sent to Congress. The Secretary of Energy can only proceed after sending a report to the congressional defense committees and waiting 30 days after they receive it. Days when either House is out of session because of an adjournment longer than three days do not count toward the 30 days. Projects below the minor construction threshold are not covered.

Full Legal Text

Title 10, §6275

Armed Forces — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Except as provided in subsection (b), construction on a construction project which is in support of national security programs of the Department of Energy and was authorized by a DOE national security authorization may not be started, and additional obligations in connection with the project above the total estimated cost may not be incurred, whenever the current estimated cost of the construction project exceeds by more than 25 percent the higher of—
(1)the amount authorized for the project; or
(2)the amount of the total estimated cost for the project as shown in the most recent budget justification data submitted to Congress.
(b)An action described in subsection (a) may be taken if—
(1)the Secretary of Energy has submitted to the congressional defense committees a report on the actions and the circumstances making such action necessary; and
(2)a period of 30 days has elapsed after the date on which the report is received by the committees.
(c)In the computation of the 30-day period under subsection (b), there shall be excluded any day on which either House of Congress is not in session because of an adjournment of more than three days to a day certain.
(d)Subsection (a) does not apply to a construction project with a current estimated cost of less than the minor construction threshold.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2744 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, § 3111(b)(1).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

10 U.S.C. § 6275

Title 10 — Armed Forces

Last Updated

Apr 18, 2026

Release point: 119-83