The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that five companies have been selected to enter advanced discussions regarding the potential use of surplus Cold War-era plutonium as nuclear reactor fuel. The selected companies include Oklo, Exodys Energy, SHINE Technologies, Standard Nuclear, and Flibe Energy.
This initiative follows a previous directive to halt a program focused on diluting and disposing of surplus plutonium, redirecting it instead towards advanced nuclear technologies. The U.S. Department of Energy holds approximately 20 metric tonnes of this plutonium at facilities across several states, material that requires careful handling due to its properties.
Oklo has stated its intention to develop the fuel with newcleo, a European company involved in building advanced reactors. The plan aims to utilize existing surplus material as a 'bridge fuel' for these reactors, potentially enabling their quicker operational status. The process is subject to various agreements, approvals, and U.S. security and safeguards requirements.
