Oklo Supports Executive Orders to Advance U.S. Leadership in Nuclear Energy and Fuel Security
Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO), a pioneering company in advanced nuclear energy technology, has expressed strong support for a series of new executive orders issued by the White House. These orders aim to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, reform regulatory frameworks, revitalize the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain, and modernize testing and licensing pathways for next-generation nuclear reactors.
The announcement comes at a time of renewed national focus on clean energy, energy independence, and grid reliability. The executive actions represent a coordinated federal effort to promote nuclear energy as a critical pillar of the United States’ energy strategy. By simplifying and streamlining regulatory processes, the administration seeks to create a more predictable, efficient, and innovation-friendly environment for companies like Oklo that are developing cutting-edge nuclear technologies.
A Historic Moment for American Nuclear Innovation
Oklo’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Jacob DeWitte, joined President Trump at the White House for the formal release of the executive orders. The event was attended by key industry leaders, policymakers, and representatives from federal agencies, underscoring the importance of nuclear energy in national strategy.
“These executive orders are about enabling deployment,” said DeWitte. “They show clear alignment around the need to modernize how we license, fuel, and build advanced nuclear power to meet rising demand.”
According to DeWitte, the significance of the executive actions lies in their emphasis on real-world deployment and scaling of nuclear technologies. He noted that while research and development in the nuclear sector has advanced significantly over the past decades, there has been a lack of concerted effort to convert innovation into widespread implementation—something these executive orders aim to change.
A Roadmap to Reform: Agencies as Partners in Innovation
The executive directives instruct federal agencies, including the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), to play a more active and streamlined role in supporting new energy technologies. The White House called for greater use of performance-based, risk-informed licensing and regulatory mechanisms that reflect the unique characteristics of modern nuclear designs.
Traditionally, the NRC has applied licensing frameworks primarily designed for large, light-water reactors built in the mid-20th century. These processes have proven time-consuming, expensive, and often misaligned with the needs of innovative startups. The new orders call for reform that allows the NRC to tailor its processes to reflect the safety benefits and operational differences of small modular reactors (SMRs), fast reactors, and microreactors—such as those developed by Oklo.
The DOE and DoD are also directed to act as both facilitators and customers of emerging technologies. This approach includes using existing authorities to support demonstration projects, providing access to testbeds and federal sites, and prioritizing procurement of energy from advanced reactors for government operations, particularly those with remote or mission-critical energy needs.
Oklo’s Leadership and Unique Position in the Market
Oklo is among the most advanced U.S. companies in the fast-growing field of advanced nuclear power. The company is developing fast fission power plants designed to provide clean, firm, carbon-free electricity by recycling used nuclear material. These reactors are compact, safe, and engineered to operate autonomously for years without refueling.
Notably, Oklo is the only private developer of advanced nuclear technology that currently holds:
- An active site use permit from the DOE;
- A competitive fuel award through a joint DOE and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) program;
- Active regulatory engagement with the NRC for licensing its first commercial power plant.
This positions the company at the forefront of advanced reactor commercialization in the United States.
The executive orders also highlight the strategic importance of America’s existing nuclear fuel stockpile. The orders call for accelerating the use of available domestic feedstock to jumpstart early deployments and reduce reliance on foreign nuclear fuel sources. In line with this priority, Oklo’s awarded fuel for its initial commercial reactor core will come from used nuclear material originally processed for the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II), a U.S. fast reactor that proved the safety and viability of fuel recycling over decades of successful operation.
Oklo’s designs are flexible in terms of fuel compatibility. They are capable of using either freshly manufactured High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) or recycled spent nuclear fuel, enabling resilience and optionality in sourcing critical materials. This approach supports both long-term energy security and near-term project viability, as the company can adapt to available fuel inventories while also advancing a sustainable fuel cycle.
Building Energy Independence Through Innovation
The Biden administration’s recent shift toward prioritizing clean energy investments has brought renewed visibility to nuclear energy. Advanced reactors are increasingly seen as essential to meeting global climate targets, ensuring grid stability, and replacing retiring fossil fuel infrastructure.
Oklo’s advanced reactors are designed to operate independently of water cooling, have no carbon emissions, and require minimal on-site personnel to manage operations. These features make them particularly suitable for remote installations, data centers, industrial facilities, military bases, and developing economies where large grid infrastructure may be limited.
The company also emphasizes the economic competitiveness of its technology. By removing the need for continuous fuel supply chains and leveraging recycled fuel, Oklo’s systems aim to offer low-cost, long-duration energy solutions that compete with fossil fuels—without emissions or waste concerns traditionally associated with nuclear power.
Strengthening National Security and Global Leadership
Beyond their environmental and economic benefits, advanced reactors contribute to national security and geopolitical resilience. Diversifying domestic energy sources and reducing dependence on foreign uranium supplies—particularly from Russia—is a growing national concern.
The executive orders reaffirm the U.S. government’s strategic commitment to regaining its leadership in the global nuclear sector. For decades, the United States led the world in nuclear innovation, but that leadership has eroded as other nations, particularly China and Russia, have aggressively deployed advanced nuclear technologies and expanded their influence in global markets.
By enabling companies like Oklo to commercialize at scale, the United States can reassert its technological leadership, shape international safety and proliferation standards, and build a nuclear export base that supports both domestic jobs and foreign policy goals.
A Turning Point for Advanced Nuclear
Oklo’s support for the White House executive orders reflects a broader momentum building around nuclear energy as a critical enabler of clean, secure, and reliable power. The executive actions represent not just bureaucratic reform, but a transformative shift in how the federal government views and supports nuclear innovation.
With continued regulatory engagement, targeted government procurement, and streamlined licensing processes, Oklo and other developers are poised to bring the next generation of reactors online—offering scalable solutions to climate change, grid reliability, and energy equity.
As Oklo CEO Jacob DeWitte noted at the White House event, “This is a defining moment. We now have the policy direction, the technological readiness, and the market demand to make advanced nuclear a central part of America’s energy future.”
