Energy and Water Development
April 18, 2024
Appropriations for Defense Nuclear
Mary Beth D. Nikitin
Nonproliferation: In Brief
Specialist in
Nonproliferation
The Department of Energy’s (DOE’

Energy and Water Development Appropriations for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation: In Brief

Updated July 25, 2025 (R44413) Jump to Main Text of Report

Contents

• Introduction
• FY2026 Request
• Budget Structure for the FY2026 Request
• Selected Legislative Activity
• FY2026 Appropriations
• FY2025 Appropriations
• Selected Issues for Congress
• Supplemental Requests for Ukraine
• Surplus Plutonium Disposition Program

Tables

• Table 1. DOE Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Appropriation, FY2024-FY2026 (Requested)

Summary

The Department of Energy's (DOE's) nonproliferation and national security programs s) nonproliferation and national security programs

provide technical capabilities to support U.S. efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear provide technical capabilities to support U.S. efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear
weapons proliferation and nuclear terrorism. These programs are administered by the weapons proliferation and nuclear terrorism. These programs are administered by the

National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency established within DOE in 2000. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency established within DOE in 2000.
NNSA is responsible for maintaining the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, providing nuclear fuel to the Navy, NNSA is responsible for maintaining the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, providing nuclear fuel to the Navy,
nuclear and radiological emergency response, and nuclear nonproliferation activities.nuclear and radiological emergency response, and nuclear nonproliferation activities.
This report gives an overview of annual appropriations for the DOE NNSA Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation This report gives an overview of annual appropriations for the DOE NNSA Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
(DNN) account. The National Defense Authorization Act (DNN) account. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes these programs, for which funds are authorizes these programs, for which funds are
appropriated in the annual Energy and Water Appropriations appropriated in the annual Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The FY2025 DOE request for DNN
appropriations was $2.47 billion, a decrease of 4.5% from the FY2024-enacted level, which was $2.58 billion.
Energy and Water Development FY2024 appropriations for these programs were enacted as part of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (P.L. 118-42).

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Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Budget Structure .............................................................................................................................. 1
FY2025 Request .............................................................................................................................. 2
FY2024 Appropriations ................................................................................................................... 3
Supplemental Requests .................................................................................................................... 3
Surplus Plutonium Disposition Program ......................................................................................... 4

Tables
Table 1. DOE Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Appropriation, FY2023-FY2025 ....................... 2

Contacts
Author Information .......................................................................................................................... 5

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Energy & Water Development Appropriations for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

Introduction
The Department of Energy’s (DOE’Act. The FY2026 DNN account request is $2.285 billion, $111.4 million (or -4.6%) less than the FY2025-enacted level of $2.396 billion.

Introduction

The Department of Energy's (DOE's) nonproliferation and national security programs provide s) nonproliferation and national security programs provide
technical capabilities to support U.S. efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation technical capabilities to support U.S. efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation
and nuclear terrorism. These programs are administered by the National Nuclear Security and nuclear terrorism. These programs are administered by the National Nuclear Security
Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency established within DOE in 2000. NNSA is Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency established within DOE in 2000. NNSA is
responsible for maintaining the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, providing nuclear reactors and responsible for maintaining the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, providing nuclear reactors and
fuel to the Navy, nuclear and radiological emergency response, and nuclear nonproliferation fuel to the Navy, nuclear and radiological emergency response, and nuclear nonproliferation
activities.
In Secretary Granholm’s 2024 testimony to Congress, she says the NNSA’s DNN budget proposal
would
enhance the Nation’s ability to prevent adversaries from acquiring nuclear weapons or
weapons-usable materials, technology, and expertise; counter efforts to acquire such
weapons or materials; and respond to nuclear or radiological incidents and activities.¹

This report gives an overview of annual appropriations for the DOE NNSA Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) account. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes these programs, for which funds are appropriated in the annual Energy and Water Appropriations Act.

FY2026 Request According to the DOE FY2026 congressional budget justification, the NNSA's DNN programs help prevent adversaries from acquiring nuclear weapons or weapons-usable materials, technology, and expertise; counter adversary efforts to acquire such weapons or materials; and respond to nuclear or radiological threats, incidents, and accidents accidents
domestically and abroad. By limiting the number of nuclear-capable states and preventing
terrorist access to materials and technology that can threaten the U.S. and allies, NNSA
plays a critical role in enhancing global stability and constrains the range of potential
threats facing the nation, our allies, and partners.1
This report gives an overview of annual appropriations for the DOE NNSA Defense Nuclear
Nonproliferation (DNN) account. The National Defense Authorization Act2 authorizes these
programs, for which funds are appropriated in the annual Energy and Water Appropriations bill.
Budget Structure
domestically and abroad.² The FY2026 DNN account request is $2.285 billion, $111.4 million (or -4.6%) less than the enacted FY2025 funding of $2.396 billion.³ Supplemental appropriations and rescissions, as well as mandatory funding provisions from past, proposed, or enacted reconciliation measures, may also affect funding.⁴ Budget Structure for the FY2026 Request There are two main mission areas under the DNN appropriation: the Defense Nuclear There are two main mission areas under the DNN appropriation: the Defense Nuclear
Nonproliferation Program and the Nuclear Counterterrorism and Incident Response Program Nonproliferation Program and the Nuclear Counterterrorism and Incident Response Program
(NCTIR).(NCTIR).3 The FY20255 It also includes Legacy Contractor Pensions and Settlement Payments. The FY2026 DNN request is divided into the following functional areas: DNN request is divided into the following functional areas:
• Material Management and Minimization (M3) conducts activities to reduce conducts activities to reduce
and, where possible, eliminate stockpiles of weapons-useable material around the and, where possible, eliminate stockpiles of weapons-useable material around the
world. Major activities include conversion of reactors that use highly enriched world. Major activities include conversion of reactors that use highly enriched
uranium (useable for weapons) to low enriched uranium, removal and uranium (useable for weapons) to low enriched uranium, removal and
consolidation of nuclear material stockpiles, and disposition of excess nuclear consolidation of nuclear material stockpiles, and disposition of excess nuclear
materialsmaterials, such as excess U.S. weapons plutonium. such as excess U.S. weapons plutonium.
• Global Material Security (GMS) has three major program elements: has three major program elements:
international nuclear security, radiological security, and nuclear smuggling international nuclear security, radiological security, and nuclear smuggling
detection and deterrence. Activities toward achieving those goals include the detection and deterrence. Activities toward achieving those goals include the
provision of equipment and training, workshops and exercises, and collaboration provision of equipment and training, workshops and exercises, and collaboration
with international organizations.with international organizations.
• Nonproliferation and Arms Control (NPAC) implements programs that aim to implements programs that aim to
strengthen international nuclear safeguards, control the spread of dual-use strengthen international nuclear safeguards, control the spread of dual-use

1 United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, Testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources, April 16, 2024.
2 P.L. 118-31.
3 The DNN programs were reorganized starting with the FY2016 request. NCTIR was previously funded under
Weapons Activities. There are three offices under the DNN appropriations: Office of DNN, Office of Counterterrorism
and Counterproliferation (CTCP), and Office of Emergency Operations (EO).
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(weapons or peaceful applications) technologies and expertise, and verify nuclear (weapons or peaceful applications) technologies and expertise, and verify nuclear
reductions and compliance with treaties and agreements. This program conducts reductions and compliance with treaties and agreements. This program conducts
reviews of nuclear export applications and technology transfer authorizations.reviews of nuclear export applications and technology transfer authorizations.
• Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development (DNN R&D)
) advances U.S. capabilities to detect and characterize global nuclear security advances U.S. capabilities to detect and characterize global nuclear security
threats such as foreign nuclear material and weapons production, diversion of threats such as foreign nuclear material and weapons production, diversion of
special nuclear material, and nuclear detonations.special nuclear material, and nuclear detonations.
• The The Nonproliferation Construction program disposes of excess U.S. weapons program disposes of excess U.S. weapons
plutonium through a plutonium through a “"dilute and disposedilute and dispose”" strategy (see strategy (see "“Surplus Plutonium
Disposition Program” " below).below).
• The The Nuclear Counterterrorism and Incident Response Program (NCTIR)
programs evaluates nuclear and radiological threats and develops emergency preparedness evaluates nuclear and radiological threats and develops emergency preparedness
plans, including organizing scientific teams to provide rapid response to nuclear plans, including organizing scientific teams to provide rapid response to nuclear
or radiological incidents or accidents worldwide.or radiological incidents or accidents worldwide.
Table 1. DOE Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Appropriation, FY2023-FY2025
($ thousands)
FY2023
FY2024
FY2025

Enacted
Enacted
Request
FY2024-FY2026 (Requested)

($ in thousands)

FY2024 Enacted

FY2025 Enacted

FY2026 Request

Material Management and Minimization

$496,025

$328,097

$275,069

Material Management and
Minimization
464,285
496,025
377,097
Global Material SecurityGlobal Material Security
532,763
524,048
543,864
Nonproliferation and Arms
Control
230,656
212,358
224,980

$524,048

$492,048

$389,872

Nonproliferation and Arms Control

$212,358

$227,008

$221,008

Defense Nuclear Defense Nuclear
Nonproliferation R&DNonproliferation R&D
767,902
$765,750765,750
802,850
NNSA Bioassurance Program
20,000
0
0
Nonproliferation
Construction
71,764
77,211
40,000
Nuclear Counterterrorism &
469,970
503,021
536,189
Incident Response
Legacy Contractor Pensions
55,708
22,587
7,128
Use of Prior Year Balances
-123,048
-20,000
-67,000
Total
2,490,000
2,581,000
2,465,108
Source: Department of Energy Congressional Budget Requests, Volume 1.
FY2025 Request
The FY2025

$777,850

$746,654

Nonproliferation Construction

$77,211

$40,000

$50,000

Nuclear Counterterrorism & Incident Response

$503,021

$530,897

$630,000

Legacy Contractor Pensions

$22,587

$100

$20,993

Use of Prior-Year Balances

-$20,000

$0

-$39,574

Cancellation of Prior-Year Balances

$0

$0

-$9,422

Total

$2,581,000

$2,396,000

$2,284,600

Source: Department of Energy, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, FY 2026 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, vol. 1, May 30, 2025, p. 4.

Selected Legislative Activity FY2026 Appropriations The FY2026 DOE request for DNN appropriations was $ DOE request for DNN appropriations was $2.2852.47 billion, billion, a decrease of 4.5% from$111.4 million (or -4.6%) less than the FY2025-enacted level of $2.396 billion.⁶ According to the request, the decrease was "largely driven by the termination of lower-priority activities, a shift to prioritizing activities that result in permanent risk reduction without creating permanent financial dependencies on U.S. assistance, termination of the Dilute and Dispose program outside of disposal needed to meet legal obligations to the State of South Carolina, and the use of carryover for FY 2026 scope."⁷ The House Appropriations Committee-approved Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, includes $1.984 billion for DNN, approximately $301 million (13%) less than requested, including the recession and use of prior-year balances.⁸ The bill would provide $412 million (17%) less than the 2025-enacted amount. The committee report states that DNN reductions "are intended to reduce foreign long-term dependency on the United States while refocusing the Global Material Security program on the activities that have the greatest impact on national security."⁹ It also notes that reductions to the Nonproliferation and Arms Control subprogram reflect "a changing geopolitical landscape marked by rapid growth of China's nuclear arsenal and Russia's frequent violation of arms control agreements."¹⁰ It states that "the prospect of a new nuclear arms control treaty is improbable."¹¹ At the bill markup, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur said the proposed cut "effectively guts our efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, detect covert nuclear threats, and uphold arms control agreements that keep us safe. All a big gift for Iran, Russia, China, Belarus, and North Korea."¹² The Senate Appropriations Committee has not considered a version of the legislation, as of the publication date of this report. FY2025 Appropriations

The FY2025 DOE request for DNN appropriations was $2.47 billion, $115.9 million (or 4.5%) less than the FY2024-enacted level of $2.58 billion.¹³ The DOE congressional budget request attributed this change mainly to "reduced programmatic requirements in Material Management and Minimization, as well as the use of carryover for FY 2025 scope in the Surplus Plutonium Disposition project and Legacy Contractor Pensions and Settlement Payments."¹⁴ On March 15, 2025, President Trump signed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (P.L. 119-4, Division A).¹⁵ This legislation funded the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account at $2.396 billion.¹⁶

The House Committee on Appropriations-reported Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 (H.R. 8997), proposed $2.45 billion for DNN.¹⁷ The Senate Committee on Appropriations-reported FY2025 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (S. 4927) proposed $2.63 billion for DNN.¹⁸

The FY2025 DOE request for DNN included increases for "Red Teaming capabilities for a wide range of open-source and industry Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, for the establishment of the Space Monitoring and Verification Program (Space MVP) to support the Outer Space Treaty, and to increase outreach to high-priority partners in Southeast Asia to address smuggling vulnerabilities and counter Chinese influence."¹⁹

DOE did not request FY2025 funding for the NNSA Bioassurance Program. Congress funded the Bioassurance Program at $20 million in FY2023, and DOE requested $25 million for the program in FY2024. Program goals were to expand DOE's role in biodefense and develop national laboratory capabilities "to anticipate, detect, assess, and mitigate emerging biothreats."²⁰ Section 3122 of the FY2024 NDAA (P.L. 118-31) placed prohibitions on establishing this program within NNSA.²¹

Selected Issues for Congress Supplemental Requests for Ukraine The Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 (P.L. 118-50, Division B), provided $143.9 million for NNSA's Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) account to " the
FY2024-enacted level. The DOE congressional budget request attributes this change mainly to
“reduced programmatic requirements in Material Management and Minimization, as well as the
use of carryover for FY 2025 scope in the Surplus Plutonium Disposition project and Legacy
Contractor Pensions and Settlement Payments.”
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The budget justification document also says increases are requested for “Red Teaming
capabilities for a wide range of open-source and industry Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, for
the establishment of the Space Monitoring and Verification Program (Space MVP) to support the
Outer Space Treaty, and to increase outreach to high-priority partners in Southeast Asia to address
smuggling vulnerabilities and counter Chinese influence.”
DOE did not request funding for the NNSA Bioassurance program in the FY2025 request. The
Bioassurance Program was funded at $20 million in FY2023, and $25 million was requested for
FY2024. Program goals were to expand DOE’s role in biodefense and develop national laboratory
capabilities “to anticipate, detect, assess, and mitigate emerging biothreats.” Section 3122 of the
FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 118-31) placed prohibitions on establishing
this program within NNSA.4
FY2024 Appropriations
FY2024 Energy and Water Development appropriations provided $2.58 billion for these
programs, enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (P.L. 118-42). The
FY2024 request for DNN appropriations was $2.51 billion, an increase of 0.8% over the FY2023-
enacted level. The DOE congressional budget justification attributes this change mainly to
increases for the Nuclear Counterterrorism program, to improve the Nuclear Incident Response
(NIR)/Nuclear Emergency Support Team’s (NEST’s) “capacity for emergency response and
interagency partner technical training” and for National Technical Nuclear Forensics (NTNF), to
“bridge a long-standing gap between research and development activities geared toward
technology transition and operational capabilities.”
Recent years’ appropriations prohibit funds in the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account
from being used for certain activities and assistance in the Russian Federation. Appropriations
bills have prohibited this since FY2015, although a waiver is allowed.5
Supplemental Requests
Senate-passed (H.R. 815) and House (H.R. 8035) versions of FY2024 supplemental
appropriations would provide NNSA with $149 million to “respond to the security situation in respond to the security situation in
Ukraine.Ukraine.” The FY2023 "²² The Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations ActUkraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-180, Division B), provided $35 million for provided $35 million for
NNSANNSA's DNN support for Ukraine, support for Ukraine,²³ and the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act and the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act
provided $126.3, totaling $161.3. , 2023 (P.L. 117-328, Division M), provided $126.3 million,²⁴ bringing the FY2023 supplemental funding total for the account to $161.3 million. The FY2025 congressional budget justification The FY2025 congressional budget justification saysfor DNN subprograms' DNN
subprograms’ FY2023 accomplishments in Ukraine FY2023 accomplishments in Ukraine includedstated the following: the following:
• “"Bolstered the resilience of nuclear power plants in Ukraine by providing Bolstered the resilience of nuclear power plants in Ukraine by providing
physical protection and cyber security upgrades and provided equipment to the physical protection and cyber security upgrades and provided equipment to the
National Guard of Ukraine to strengthen their capability to protect nuclear power National Guard of Ukraine to strengthen their capability to protect nuclear power
plants.”
• “plants still under Ukrainian control." "Provided equipment, training, and technical assistance to partners in Ukraine to Provided equipment, training, and technical assistance to partners in Ukraine to
secure and monitor 36 facilities housing high-activity radioactive sources. secure and monitor 36 facilities housing high-activity radioactive sources.

4 “The Administrator may not establish, administer, manage, or facilitate a program within the Administration for the
purposes of executing an enduring national security research and development effort to broaden the role of the
Department of Energy in national biodefense.” See Section 3122, FY2024 NDAA and related report language.
5 See the 2017 version of this report for more detailed background information.
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Removed five disused sources from medical facilities to secure storage facilities Removed five disused sources from medical facilities to secure storage facilities
in Ukraine.in Ukraine.”
• “" "Deployed additional equipment and associated training to border security, law Deployed additional equipment and associated training to border security, law
enforcement, and emergency agencies across Ukraine to detect and deter illicit enforcement, and emergency agencies across Ukraine to detect and deter illicit
movement of materials and ... monitor for radiation release within Ukraine.movement of materials and ... monitor for radiation release within Ukraine.”6
Surplus Plutonium Disposition Program
The United States pledged"²⁵

A June 2025 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report examined these programs and recommended that NNSA make plans to transition responsibility to Ukrainian authorities for "future sustainment of NNSA-provided nuclear and radiological security and safety assistance."²⁶

Surplus Plutonium Disposition Program The United States pledged in an agreement with Russia to dispose of 34 metric tons of U.S. surplus weapons plutonium, which to dispose of 34 metric tons of U.S. surplus weapons plutonium, which
was originally to be converted into fuel for commercial power reactors.was originally to be converted into fuel for commercial power reactors.727 The U.S. facility for this The U.S. facility for this
purpose was to be the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MFFF), which had been under purpose was to be the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MFFF), which had been under
construction at the DOE Savannah River site in South Carolina. The MFFF faced construction at the DOE Savannah River site in South Carolina. The MFFF faced sharply
escalating construction and operation cost estimates, and the Obama Administration proposed to escalating construction and operation cost estimates, and the Obama Administration proposed to
terminate it in FY2017. After congressional approval, in 2018 DOE ended MFFF construction terminate it in FY2017. After congressional approval, in 2018 DOE ended MFFF construction
and began pursuing a replacement disposal method, Dilute and Dispose (D&D), for this material. and began pursuing a replacement disposal method, Dilute and Dispose (D&D), for this material.
This effort is called the Surplus Plutonium Disposition (SPD) Program. This effort is called the Surplus Plutonium Disposition (SPD) Program.
The D&D method consists of The D&D method consists of “"blending plutonium with an inert mixture, packaging it for safe blending plutonium with an inert mixture, packaging it for safe
storage and transport, and disposing of it in a geologic repository,storage and transport, and disposing of it in a geologic repository,”" according to the FY2024 according to the FY2024
request.request.²⁸ Under the D&D method, plutonium is down-blended at Savannah River then shipped as Under the D&D method, plutonium is down-blended at Savannah River then shipped as
transuranic waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico.transuranic waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico.
The FY2025 budget request provides for plutonium disposition related activities in the Material
Management and Minimization (Material Disposition subprogram) and the Nonproliferation
Construction accounts. The FY2025 budget request said the SPD project “will add glovebox
capacity at the Savannah River Site to accelerate plutonium dilution and aid in the removal of
plutonium from the state of South Carolina.” In the coming years, NNSA plans

Subsequent delays to the program resulted in a 2020 legal settlement between the Department of Energy and the State of South Carolina. The settlement included an upfront payment of $600 million to South Carolina and set a 2037 deadline for removing 9.5 metric tons of plutonium from the state.²⁹

The FY2024 budget request stated the Administration was "increasing the total project cost by $155 million resulting in a corresponding increase to the high-end of the cost range which is $775 million" and extending the completion date to the fourth quarter of FY2030. The request stated the changes were necessary due to design, safety, and construction challenges "of integrating the new mission into the exisiting facility and operations."³⁰ It also cited a lack of skilled professional and craft labor, which is also an issue for other NNSA construction projects.

NNSA planned to expand to expand
capability to disassemble and convert plutonium cores or capability to disassemble and convert plutonium cores or “pits”"pits" for disposal. The FY2025 for disposal. The FY2025 request
says NNSA isbudget request stated the SPD project "will add additional glovebox capacity at the Savannah River Site to accelerate plutonium dilution and aid in the removal of plutonium from the state of South Carolina."³¹ The FY2025 request stated NNSA was completing the final design review to request approval and start full construction completing the final design review to request approval and start full construction
on the SPD project, which represents a delay and cost increase. on the SPD project, which represents a delay and cost increase. The FY2024 request said the
NNSA is “increasing the total project cost by $155 million resulting in a corresponding increase
to the high-end of the cost range which is $775 million” and extending the completion date to the
fourth quarter of FY2030. The budget request says that these changes are necessary due to design,
safety, and construction challenges “of integrating the new mission into the exisiting facility and
operations.” It also cited a lack of skilled professional and craft labor, which is also an issue for
other NNSA construction projects.


6 FY 2025 Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Congressional Budget Justification,
Volume 1.
7

A May 23, 2025, executive order halted the D&D program.³² The exeuctive order stated, "The Secretary of Energy shall halt the surplus plutonium dilute and dispose program except with respect to the Department of Energy's legal obligations to the State of South Carolina."³³

The FY2026 budget request seeks funding for plutonium disposition related activities in the Material Management and Minimization (Material Disposition subprogram) and the Nonproliferation Construction accounts. Following the 2025 executive order halting the program, the request states in part, "FY 2026 funding requirements for Plutonium Disposition are contingent upon further analysis of plutonium stocks held in SC and their potential for economic use by industry as fuel for advanced nuclear technologies. If certain capabilities are no longer necessary, such capabilities will be terminated and funds repurposed for other activities supporting the President's Executive Order."³⁴

The FY2026 request also says that

DNN will partner with NNSA's Office of Defense Programs and DOE's Office [of] Nuclear Energy to assess surplus plutonium material inventories to support implementation of the President's Executive Order on Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base and meet DOE's legal obligations to the State of South Carolina. This analysis, when completed, will be the basis for determining DNN's future requirements for SPD project capabilities. If such analysis determines that additional, shielded dilution capacity is not needed, DNN will terminate the project, provide the procured gloveboxes to the Office of Defense Programs, and repurpose funding to support the President's Executive Order.³⁵

It is not clear how much of the plutonium will still need to be disposed of to satisfy the legal obligations to South Carolina. Congress may consider whether to seek clarification about what activities are to be halted, what might replace D&D plans, and how these changes might affect planned expansion and construction at SRS.

Footnotes

1.

See CRS Report R48194, The U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise: Background and Possible Issues for Congress, by Anya L. Fink.

2.

Department of Energy (DOE), Office of the Chief Financial Officer, FY 2026 Congressional Justification, Budget in Brief, May 2025, p. 15. For all agency congressional budget justification documentation, see Department of Energy, FY 2026 Budget Justification website, May 30, 2025, https://www.energy.gov/cfo/articles/fy-2026-budget-justification.

3.

DOE, FY 2026 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, vol. 1, May 30, 2025, p. 1, https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/doe-fy-2026-vol-1.pdf.

4.

CRS did not identify amounts for DNN in the FY2025 reconciliation law (H.R. 1; P.L. 119-21) or the FY2025 recessions legislation (H.R. 4). For more information on this topic, see CRS Report R48551, Trump Administration Initial FY2026 Energy and Water Appropriations Request: In Brief, by Mark Holt et al.

5.

The DNN programs were reorganized starting with the FY2016 request. NCTIR was previously funded under Weapons Activities. There are three offices under the DNN appropriations: Office of DNN, Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation (CTCP), and Office of Emergency Operations (EO).

6.

DOE, FY 2026 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, p. 4.

7.

DOE, FY 2026 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, p. 5.

8.

House Appropriations Committee, "Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026," summary, July 16, 2025, https://appropriations.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-appropriations.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/fy26-energy-water-bill-summary-full-committee.pdf.

9.

U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2026, report to accompany H.R. 4553, 119^th Cong., 1^st sess., H.Rept. 119-213, July 21, 2025, pp. 132-133.

10.

H.Rept. 119-213, p. 133.

11.

H.Rept. 119-213, p. 133.

12.

Representative Marcy Kaptur, "Ranking Member Kaptur Statement at the Full Committee Markup of the 2026 Energy and Water Development Funding Bill," press release, July 17, 2025, https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ranking-member-marcy-kaptur-statement-full-committee-markup-2026-energy.

13.

DOE, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, FY 2025 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, vol. 1, March 2024, p. 7; and P.L. 118-42; 138 Stat. 201.

14.

DOE, FY 2025 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, p. 7.

15.

Congress.gov, P.L. 119-4 website, Actions tab.

16.

P.L. 119-4, Division A, Title V; §1502(3); 135 Stat. 25.

17.

H.R. 8997, p. 41.

18.

S. 4927, p. 44.

19.

DOE, FY 2025 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, p. 7.

20.

DOE, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, FY 2024 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, vol. 1, March 2023, p. 11.

21.

A provision in the FY2024 NDAA (P.L. 118-31, §3122; 137 Stat. 792) amended permanent law to include a new section (50 U.S.C. §2796) stating that the NNSA Administrator "may not establish, administer, manage, or facilitate a program within the Administration for the purposes of executing enduring national security research and development effort to broaden the role of the Department of Energy in national biodefense."

22.

P.L. 118-50, Division B, Title II; 138 Stat. 912.

23.

P.L. 117-80, Division B, Title II; 136 Stat. 2131.

24.

P.L. 117-328, Division M, Title III; 136 Stat. 5194.

25.

DOE, FY 2025 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, pp. 636, 639, 641.

26.

Government Accountability Office, "Ukraine: DOE Could Better Assess Fraud Risks and Formalize Its Transition Plans for Nuclear Security and Safety Efforts," GAO-25-108444, June 12, 2025, https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-108444.

27. Disposition of surplus plutonium is required by a 1998 agreement, amended in 2010, between the United States and Disposition of surplus plutonium is required by a 1998 agreement, amended in 2010, between the United States and
the Russian Federation. Each country agreed to convert 34 metric tons of surplus weapons-grade plutonium to a form the Russian Federation. Each country agreed to convert 34 metric tons of surplus weapons-grade plutonium to a form
that could not be returned to nuclear weapons, to begin in 2018. Russia suspended its participation in the agreement in that could not be returned to nuclear weapons, to begin in 2018. Russia suspended its participation in the agreement in
October 2016 due to what it called October 2016 due to what it called “"hostile actionshostile actions”" by the United States. by the United States. Both countries appear to be continuing their
plans for surplus plutonium disposition. SeeFor more information on this topic, see CRS Report R43125, CRS Report R43125, Mixed-Oxide Fuel Fabrication Plant and Plutonium
Disposition: Management and Policy Issues, by Mark Holt and Mary Beth D. Nikitin., by Mark Holt and Mary Beth D. Nikitin.
Congressional Research Service

4

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Energy & Water Development Appropriations for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation


Author Information

Mary Beth D. Nikitin

Specialist in Nonproliferation



Disclaimer
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under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
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Congressional Research Service
R44413 · VERSION 15 · UPDATED
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28.

DOE, FY 2024 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, p. 719.

29.

"Secretary Brouillette and South Carolina Officials Announce Historic Agreement Between the Trump Administration and the State of South Carolina," Department of Energy press release, August 31, 2020, https://www.energy.gov/articles/secretary-brouillette-and-south-carolina-officials-announce-historic-agreement-between; and Federal Circuit Case No. 19-2324, South Carolina Settlement Final Agreement at https://www.scag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/South-Carolina-Settlement-Agreement-Final-signed-8-28-20.pdf.

30.

DOE, FY 2024 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, p. 722.

31.

A glovebox is a sealed container for handling hazardous materials through ports with sleeved gloves on the inside. DOE, FY 2025 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, p. 11.

32.

Executive Order 14302 of May 23, 2025, "Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base," 90 Federal Register 22595, May 29, 2025, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-05-29/pdf/2025-09801.pdf

33.

E.O. 14302.

34.

DOE, FY 2026 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, pp. 469-470.

35.

DOE, FY 2026 Congressional Justification, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Salaries and Expenses, Weapons Activities, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Naval Reactors, p. 495.

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