§ 2401. Establishment and mission

• (a) There is established within the Department of Energy a separately organized agency to be known as the National Nuclear Security Administration (in this chapter referred to as the “Administration”).
• (b) The mission of the Administration shall be the following:
  • (1) To enhance United States national security through the military application of nuclear energy.
  • (2) To maintain and enhance the safety, reliability, and performance of the United States nuclear weapons stockpile, including the ability to design, produce, and test, in order to meet national security requirements.
  • (3) To provide the United States Navy with safe, militarily effective nuclear propulsion plants and to ensure the safe and reliable operation of those plants.
  • (4) To promote international nuclear safety and nonproliferation.
  • (5) To reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction.
  • (6) To support United States leadership in science and technology.
• (c) In carrying out the mission of the Administration, the Administrator shall ensure that all operations and activities of the Administration are consistent with the principles of—
  • (1) protecting the environment;
  • (2) safeguarding the safety and health of the public and of the workforce of the Administration; and
  • (3) ensuring the security of the nuclear weapons, nuclear material, and classified information in the custody of the Administration.