US to repurpose surplus plutonium as fuel for advanced reactors
The U.S. Department of Energy named five companies, including Oklo, to explore turning about 20 metric tonnes of surplus Cold War plutonium into fuel for advanced nuclear reactors, with Oklo planning a collaboration with Newcleo and other participants including Exodys Energy, SHINE Technologies, Standard Nuclear, and Flibe Energy. The move, intended to use weapons-usable material as bridge fuel and attract private funding while ensuring safety, has drawn proliferation concerns and political debate over its economics and defense implications.