Oklo Receives Startup Authorization for Groves Reactor
Nuclear startup Oklo (NYSE:OKLO) has received 'startup authorization' from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) for its Groves Reactor in Texas under the Reactor Pilot Program (RPP). This milestone allows Oklo to load nuclear fuel and conduct testing toward achieving first criticality, marking a significant regulatory step forward. The approval is part of an accelerated pathway introduced by the Trump administration's RPP executive order in 2025. The program aims to fast-track reactor approvals if they are safely tested by the DoE. Oklo achieved this authorization just over ten months after groundbreaking — one of the fastest timelines for a privately funded nuclear project. Oklo CEO Jacob DeWitte emphasized that the Groves Reactor's rapid development is replicable in future commercial projects, which could boost investor confidence and accelerate deployment of its reactor technology.
Tickers: $OKLO
Topics: nuclear_energy regulation startups