Oklo announced that it has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for advanced negotiations under the Surplus Plutonium Utilization Program, a federal initiative designed to make designated surplus plutonium material available to industry participants for conversion into fuel for advanced nuclear reactors.
The program is intended to support the use of existing surplus nuclear material as a bridge fuel source for advanced reactors while domestic enrichment and fuel infrastructure continue scaling in the U.S. Oklo said the selection complements its broader fuel strategy, which includes pursuing multiple fuel sourcing pathways to accelerate advanced reactor deployment.
Under the initiative, Oklo plans to work alongside newcleo, a European advanced nuclear reactor developer. Oklo would lead the utilization of surplus plutonium while newcleo would contribute fuel expertise and potential project capital, subject to definitive agreements, customary approvals, and applicable U.S. security and safeguards requirements.
The companies said they view the program as a “disposition through use” pathway that converts existing surplus plutonium into fuel for advanced reactors capable of generating reliable electricity. The approach also aims to consume the material through fission under stringent security, safeguards, and material accountability requirements, turning a long-term nuclear material management challenge into a domestic energy resource.
The DOE selection comes as Oklo continues advancing its Aurora powerhouse program and broader nuclear fuel recycling initiatives. The company said fuel supply constraints remain one of the biggest bottlenecks for advanced reactor development and that the program could help bring more reactors online sooner by leveraging already available material.
The announcement builds on an October 2025 strategic partnership between Oklo and newcleo focused on developing advanced fuel fabrication infrastructure in the U.S., including potential work related to surplus plutonium. The partnership includes plans for up to $2 billion in investment through a newcleo-affiliated vehicle, subject to mutually acceptable documentation and industry conditions.
In February 2026, newcleo also initiated pre-application engagement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for both an advanced fuel fabrication facility and a lead-cooled fast reactor design intended to support future deployment in the U.S. market.
Oklo is developing fast fission power plants aimed at delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale while also establishing a domestic supply chain for critical isotopes and advancing nuclear fuel recycling technologies. The company was previously the first to receive a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for a commercial advanced fission plant and has collaborated with U.S. national laboratories on advanced fuel recycling efforts.
KEY QUOTES:
“Fuel supply constraints are a key throttle to advanced reactor development. This program creates a pathway to use existing surplus material as bridge fuel for advanced reactors to bring more reactors online sooner. Material that has been set aside for disposal can instead be converted into fuel to produce electricity through fission.”
Jacob DeWitte, Co-Founder and CEO, Oklo
“We are proud of this transatlantic partnership with Oklo to deliver on our promise of reducing nuclear liabilities through our fuel and reactor technologies. The U.S. is taking a visionary approach to the fuel cycle, and we look forward to contributing to it.”
Stefano Buono, CEO and Founder, newcleo
