DOE Selects Oklo, Others for Advanced Nuclear Fuel Facilities

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected Oklo Inc. alongside Terrestrial Energy, TRISO-X, and Valar Atomics for a new pilot program to build advanced nuclear fuel lines, supporting next-generation nuclear reactors. Oklo is tasked with constructing and operating three fuel fabrication facilities to supply fuel for its Aurora and Pluto reactors, aiming to strengthen the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain and bolster national energy security. This initiative complements the DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program, which targets at least three reactors reaching criticality by mid-2026, aligning with President Donald Trump's executive orders to accelerate nuclear reactor permitting and reform regulatory processes. Oklo, backed by significant investments and with plans for a $1.68 billion Fuel Recycling Facility in Tennessee, seeks to commercialize liquid metal fast reactor technology and provide both fresh and recycled nuclear fuel. Each selected company is responsible for the full lifecycle costs of their facilities, with federal efforts aimed at expediting licensing, construction, and operation to support America's nuclear energy capacity rebuild. These developments reflect a broader push under the current administration to revitalize U.S. nuclear power amid rising electricity demand and strategic energy considerations.