Oklo Secures DOE Approval for Aurora Powerhouse Nuclear Safety Design at Idaho National Laboratory
Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO), a leading developer of advanced nuclear technology, today announced a major milestone in the development of its first microreactor, the Aurora powerhouse, located at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The company has signed a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to support the design, construction, and eventual operation of the Aurora-INL reactor as part of DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program (RPP). Following this agreement, the DOE Idaho Operations Office granted approval for the Nuclear Safety Design Agreement (NSDA) for Aurora, enabling Oklo to immediately request DOE’s review of its Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis (PDSA).
The NSDA represents the initial regulatory milestone under DOE’s RPP pathway. This authorization framework is designed to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear power while ensuring rigorous safety and design standards are maintained. By establishing a stepwise and structured pathway, the DOE’s approach could help unlock U.S. industrial capacity for rapid and scalable nuclear energy generation. With the OTA finalized and the NSDA approved, Oklo can now advance the Aurora-INL project to the next phase of execution under DOE oversight. This follows the project’s initial groundbreaking ceremony in September, which marked the physical start of construction on the site.
“The OTA provides the foundation for the Aurora program, setting the structure for our collaboration with DOE,” said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo. “The Nuclear Safety Design Agreement reflects DOE’s rigorous, safety-first authorization process. Together, these steps create a pathway for deploying our first microreactor while we continue engaging with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to secure future commercial licensing.”
Robert Boston, Manager of the DOE Idaho Operations Office, highlighted the importance of coordinated oversight for the project. “DOE Idaho is committed to supporting safe and disciplined progress from design to demonstration,” Boston said. “The Aurora powerhouse NSDA, in conjunction with the Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility, represents an integrated approach in Idaho that can help scale domestic nuclear capabilities and provide secure, reliable energy for the future.”
The Aurora-INL microreactor is a fast-fission system designed to provide safe, compact, and resilient nuclear power. Its development is closely integrated with Oklo’s broader activities in Idaho, including the Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility (A3F), which is responsible for producing the first fuel assemblies for the Aurora-INL. DOE Idaho previously approved the NSDA for A3F in November 2025, followed by the approval of its PDSA in December 2025 under DOE’s Advanced Nuclear Fuel Line Pilot Program. These approvals ensure that both fuel fabrication and reactor construction proceed in a coordinated and safety-conscious manner, enabling a fully integrated development workflow.
DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program provides a modernized framework for the deployment of advanced nuclear generating capacity. Unlike traditional licensing processes, the RPP pathway offers an accelerated, stepwise authorization approach that allows developers to construct, operate, and gain operational experience under DOE oversight. For Oklo, this approach is essential to bringing its innovative microreactor technology from concept to commercial reality, providing valuable operational data and demonstrating the safety and performance of advanced nuclear systems. Following DOE authorization and operational experience, Oklo intends to pursue NRC licensing to support full commercial operations across the United States.
In addition to regulatory and construction milestones, Oklo has also secured access to high-assay, low-enriched uranium fuel sourced from the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) through a competitive DOE process launched in 2019. This fuel access is critical to the Aurora-INL project, as it supports the development of compact and efficient fast reactors capable of producing significant power with minimal waste. That same year, the company received a site-use permit at INL, allowing it to begin siting and construction preparations for the Aurora-INL reactor. These combined approvals and agreements demonstrate both federal and state-level support for advancing innovative nuclear energy solutions in the United States.
The Aurora-INL microreactor program represents a key step toward addressing the nation’s growing energy needs while supporting decarbonization goals. Microreactors like Aurora are designed for high reliability, flexible deployment, and integration with remote or critical infrastructure. By demonstrating the ability to safely and efficiently generate power at a smaller scale, Oklo’s project could provide a model for scaling advanced nuclear technology both domestically and internationally.
“This milestone is a testament to Oklo’s commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainable energy solutions,” DeWitte added. “Our work at Idaho National Laboratory, alongside DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program, allows us to accelerate the development of Aurora while maintaining the highest standards for nuclear safety. We are confident that this project will pave the way for future commercial microreactor deployment in the United States and help establish a resilient, low-carbon energy infrastructure.”
Oklo’s Aurora-INL program integrates design, fuel fabrication, and construction activities into a coordinated development plan that aligns with DOE’s safety and regulatory standards. The Nuclear Safety Design Agreement, combined with the OTA framework, allows for close collaboration with DOE engineers and regulators, ensuring that safety considerations remain at the forefront throughout the project lifecycle. The Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility, which is a critical element of the program, will ensure that high-quality fuel is produced to meet the exacting standards required for advanced nuclear systems.
By advancing the Aurora-INL microreactor under DOE oversight, Oklo aims to demonstrate the viability of compact, fast-fission reactors capable of providing reliable and scalable clean energy. The project’s success could have wide-ranging implications for the U.S. energy landscape, offering a new generation of nuclear power plants that are smaller, faster to deploy, and capable of supporting the nation’s decarbonization and energy security goals.
With the DOE approvals now in place, Oklo is positioned to continue its work at INL, advancing construction, completing detailed safety analyses, and preparing for eventual operation. The project represents a significant milestone for the company, DOE, and the broader advanced nuclear sector, signaling a new era in microreactor development and deployment in the United States.
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