Private firms eye weapons-grade plutonium to power next-gen reactors

The Energy Department has named five private companies, including Oklo, to begin negotiations under its Surplus Plutonium Utilization Program to repurpose weapons-grade plutonium into fuel for next-generation small modular reactors. The move could unlock private funding and expand domestic nuclear fuel supplies, but critics warn it raises proliferation risks and could set a precedent for civilian use of weapons-grade material; negotiations are not yet finalized.