Executive Order Links Nuclear Reactor Development to AI Infrastructure Needs for National Security

On May 23, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14299, titled Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security. The Order recognizes the need for a secure, reliable energy supply for advanced computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and other mission capability at military and national security installations and national laboratories, and the potential for advanced nuclear reactors to deliver this energy. To promote and secure nuclear infrastructure for powering AI infrastructure, the Order directs the Secretary of Energy, in part, to:

• Initiate a process for designating AI data centers within the United States that are located at or operated in coordination with the Department of Energy facilities as critical defense facilities, and the electrical infrastructure needed to operate such facilities as defense critical electrical infrastructure;
• Use all available legal authorities to approve the construction and operation of privately funded nuclear reactor technologies at Department of Energy-owned or controlled sites for purposes of powering AI and other on-site infrastructure; and
• Release uranium for approved projects to power AI and other infrastructure, and ensure that a long-term supply of enriched uranium is available for their continued operation.

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Technology