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Science
May 29, 2026
Analyzed by Glm 4.7 Flash

US Selects Five Firms to Repurpose Cold War Plutonium for Advanced Reactors

AI Summary
The US Department of Energy has selected five companies, including Oklo, to explore converting surplus Cold War-era plutonium into reactor fuel, a strategic shift from disposal to energy generation amidst proliferation concerns.

The Strategic Selection of Five Partners

The US Department of Energy has officially selected five companies to enter advanced discussions regarding the utilization of surplus Cold War-era plutonium as fuel for nuclear reactors.

  • Oklo and newcleo are leading the initiative.
  • Other partners include Exodys Energy, SHINE Technologies, Standard Nuclear, and Flibe Energy.

Financial and Material Metrics

The announcement comes with significant market movement and material volume implications.

  • Oklo saw its stock price surge by over 5.5 percent to $69.51 per share.
  • The program targets approximately 20 metric tonnes of weapons-usable plutonium.
  • The material has a half-life of 24,000 years and is currently held at guarded facilities in South Carolina, Texas, and New Mexico.

Policy Shifts and Geopolitical Implications

This move represents a major pivot in nuclear waste management and defense posture.

  • The Trump administration halted a previous disposal program to provide this material for advanced reactors.
  • Senator Edward Markey and others raised concerns, noting the material could produce roughly 2,000 nuclear bombs, citing proliferation risks.
  • US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a former Oklo board member, played a key role in facilitating this transition.

The Path Forward for Nuclear Liability

Industry leaders view this as a critical step in modernizing the energy grid.

Oklo cofounder and CEO Jacob DeWitte emphasized that this creates a pathway to use existing surplus material as bridge fuel, while Stefano Buono of newcleo highlighted the reduction of US nuclear liabilities. The program aims to help companies secure private funding by offering a solution to the disposal problem.