Private Firms Eye Surplus Plutonium as Fuel for Next-Gen Reactors
TL;DR
The Energy Department has chosen five private companies for advanced negotiations to repurpose surplus Cold War plutonium into fuel for next‑generation reactors, a move supporters say could unlock private funding and spur domestic nuclear innovation, while critics warn it could increase weapons-usable material and revisit a failed 2018 effort. Oklo will work with Newcleo; other participants include Exodys Energy, SHINE Technologies, Standard Nuclear, and Flibe Energy.
Topics:businesspolitics#advanced-reactors#doe#nuclear-energy#plutonium#politics#trump-administration
- Trump Administration Wants to Give Cold War-Era Plutonium to Nuclear Energy Start Ups Gizmodo
- The Trump administration is working on a deal to give weapons-grade plutonium to energy companies CNN
- U.S. Aims to Give Cold War Plutonium to Start-Ups for Nuclear Fuel The New York Times
- Energy Department takes steps toward allowing plutonium, historically used in weapons, in nuclear fuel The Hill
- US to Provide Plutonium From Atomic Bombs to Fuel Nuclear Plants Bloomberg.com
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