Determination On the Proposed Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America And the Government of Australia Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

President Obama approved a nuclear cooperation agreement with Australia for peaceful uses of nuclear energy under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, finding it promotes common defense and security without unreasonable risk. The Secretary of State is authorized to execute and publish the agreement.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 27161

Key directives

Approve proposed Agreement between US and Australia concerning peaceful uses of nuclear energy
Authorize Secretary of State to arrange for execution of the Agreement
Authorize Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Presidential approval of Australia 123 Agreement
Authorization for Secretary of State to arrange execution

Near term (90d)

Agreement execution and publication in Federal Register

Long term

Implementation of nuclear cooperation with Australia
Ongoing nuclear nonproliferation safeguards and oversight

Risks & tensions

Nuclear cooperation agreements require balancing energy partnership with nonproliferation safeguards
Section 123 agreements are subject to congressional review period (typically 90 days of continuous session) though not explicitly stated here
Australia is a trusted ally with advanced safeguards, reducing nonproliferation tension relative to other partners