U.S. Government Clears Oklo Reactor, Advancing Energy Dominance Agenda

Advanced nuclear energy firm Oklo has gotten the green light to startup its Groves Isotope Test Reactor in Texas (World Nuclear News).

What’s going on: The authorization, granted by the Department of Energy under its fast-tracked Reactor Pilot Program, “clear[s] the way for fuel loading, startup testing, and reactor operations.”

• The news comes just four months after Oklo secured three federal approvals to support the construction and operation of both the Texas reactor and its Aurora powerhouse at Idaho National Laboratory.
• The pilot program was announced in June 2025 as part of President Donald Trump’s executive order to reduce red tape at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and “expedite the testing of advanced reactor designs” — a move welcomed by NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons, who said, “[r]ebalancing regulations and expending permitting reform to unleash American energy dominance are key pillars of a comprehensive manufacturing strategy that Congress must act on so manufacturers can grow, hire and compete.”

Precedent-setting speed: The Groves reactor “marks the fastest time that we are aware of to go from greenfield to substantial completion for a full-scale, privately funded and sited reactor in history,” Oklo Co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte said.

Why it’s important: The project, built on a privately owned greenfield and “designed to demonstrate reactor design, build, and operations … advances Oklo’s plans to establish domestic production of critical isotopes” for use in cancer care advancement, manufacturing, scientific research, national security and more.

The last word: “DOE’s approval of Oklo’s Groves Isotope Test Reactor is another important step in translating the administration’s energy dominance agenda into tangible results for manufacturers,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons.

• “Oklo’s progress demonstrates what American ingenuity can achieve when our policies keep pace with innovation. Building more advanced reactors in the U.S. will strengthen our energy security, bolster our supply chains and drive competitiveness of America’s manufacturers for decades to come.”
• “We thank Secretary Wright for his leadership in advancing next generation nuclear technologies that will strengthen America’s energy security and support manufacturers’ long-term growth.”