On May 23, 2025, President Trump signed a game-changing executive order titled “Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security.” This directive marks a pivotal step toward redefining America’s energy future. It recognizes that in today’s world, national security and energy security are deeply intertwined.
For decades, the United States has aimed to achieve energy independence. That goal remains essential, but the moment now calls for something more ambitious. This executive order signals a clear shift in direction: from energy independence to energy superiority. The objective is not just to meet our own needs, but to lead the world in innovation, reliability, and strategic resilience.
Why Advanced Nuclear Matters
Modern military operations, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and critical government facilities require uninterrupted, secure power. Traditional electric grids—often vulnerable to cyber threats, natural disasters, and aging infrastructure—are not enough to meet these high-stakes demands.
Advanced nuclear reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, offer a solution. These systems are compact, transportable, highly resilient, and capable of delivering constant power to installations where reliability is non-negotiable. They also produce zero emissions during operation, making them a clean energy source that complements a broad, diversified energy mix.
Key Provisions of the Executive Order
The executive order lays out a coordinated federal plan to accelerate deployment, strengthen the nuclear fuel cycle, and position the United States as a global leader in next-generation nuclear technology:
- Deployment at Military and Energy Sites: The Department of Defense will deploy a microreactor at a U.S. military installation by September 30, 2028. The Department of Energy will install at least one advanced nuclear reactor at a DOE site within 30 months.
- Fuel Supply Support: The Department of Energy will release 20 metric tons of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) from existing federal inventories to support private sector reactor deployment and demonstration.
- Streamlined Permitting and Review: The order directs agencies to use categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to speed up project approvals while maintaining environmental safeguards.
- International Cooperation and Export Acceleration:The federal government will work to finalize at least 20 new international nuclear cooperation agreements. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is instructed to act on export license requests within 30 days, enabling American companies to compete globally.
- Support for Fuel Recycling and Supply Chain Development: The Department of Energy and Department of Defense will evaluate opportunities to expand domestic fuel recycling and nuclear fuel production capabilities, including potential public-private partnerships.Building Energy Superiority
The strategy outlined in this executive order reflects a deeper understanding of what energy policy must achieve. It is not enough to have access to energy—we must control its production, secure its supply chains, and innovate beyond our competitors. Energy superiority is the ability to power critical operations under any condition, at any location, without compromise.This vision also restores America’s role as a global standard-setter in energy innovation. By investing in advanced nuclear technologies and modernizing our regulatory frameworks, the United States can offer clean, secure, and reliable energy solutions to our allies, while countering the influence of adversaries in the global nuclear market.
A Strategic Turning PointDeploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security is more than a policy announcement. It is a strategic commitment to future-proofing our defense systems, strengthening our economy, and reclaiming America’s leadership in one of the world’s most critical industries.Through this initiative, the United States is laying the groundwork for a resilient energy infrastructure that not only supports national security but also accelerates innovation and industrial growth across the country.This is how we move from energy dependence to energy leadership. This is how we build energy superiority.