50 U.S.C. § 2524
Section 2524 · Nuclear weapons stockpile life extension program
Current version, with additions and removals from the November 24, 2003 version.
(1) The program under subsection (a) shall be carried out through the element of the Department of Energy with responsibility for defense programs.
(1) To enhance the performance and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile of the United States.
(2) To further reduce the likelihood of the resumption of underground nuclear weapons testing.
(3) To maintain the safety and security of the nuclear weapons stockpile.
(4) To optimize the future size of the nuclear weapons stockpile.
(5) To reduce the risk of an accidental detonation of an element of the stockpile.
(6) To reduce the risk of an element of the stockpile being used by a person or entity hostile to the United States, its vital interests, or its allies.
In carrying out the stockpile management program under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall ensure that—
(1) any changes made to the stockpile shall be consistent with the objectives identified in subsection (a);
(2) any changes made to the stockpile consistent with the objectives identified in subsection (a) are carried out in a cost effective manner; and
(3) any such changes made to the stockpile shall—
(A) be well understood and certifiable without the need to resume underground nuclear weapons testing;
(B) use the design, certification, and production expertise resident in the nuclear security enterprise to fulfill current mission requirements of the existing stockpile; and
(C) develop future generations of design, certification, and production expertise in the nuclear security enterprise to support the fulfillment of mission requirements of the future stockpile.