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Oklo Reactor Gets Green Light for Startup in Texas
25 Jul
Summary
- Oklo received startup authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- This allows Oklo to load fuel and conduct startup testing for its reactor.
- The authorization is a significant step in the regulatory process for Oklo.
Nuclear start-up Oklo announced on Thursday that it has received "startup authorization" from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) for its Groves Reactor in Texas. This authorization, granted under the Reactor Pilot Program (RPP), permits Oklo to load nuclear fuel, conduct startup testing, and proceed toward achieving first criticality.
This milestone is a substantial step for Oklo and is expected to have a considerable impact on its regulatory future. The authorization allows the company to move forward with critical testing phases, a process that typically takes extensive time within the nuclear regulatory landscape where safety is paramount.
The U.S. has not seen new nuclear plant construction since 1976, with limited additions since 1993. The RPP, established by executive order in 2025, aims to accelerate nuclear reactor deployment by instructing the NRC to create an expedited review pathway for DoE-tested reactors, with an 18-month deadline for new licenses.
