Oklo and its subsidiary Atomic Alchemy Inc. have been selected for three of the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) reactor pilot projects under the newly established Reactor Pilot Programme. Oklo was selected for two projects, and Atomic Alchemy for one.
The programme aims to demonstrate criticality in at least three test reactors by July 2026. The selections are expected to accelerate deployment timelines while providing operational insights that can support long-term commercial licensing and readiness. It is part of a broader federal initiative to modernise and streamline nuclear licensing and demonstration, made possible through an executive orders signed in May 2025.
“These three projects” said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo “show that the DOE is ushering in a new era of building new nuclear in America [and] is opening the door to the market so new ideas, new approaches, and new designs can be built more quickly and efficiently … the DOE’s selection of a number of projects provides a sweeping injection of urgency to meet the moment”.
These selections are thought to reflect growing national momentum behind energy innovation and the role of public-private collaboration in delivering bold solutions to the country’s energy needs.
Read also: OBBBA – out with the new, in with the old
