DOE picks 5 firms to convert Cold War plutonium

The U.S. Energy Department selected Oklo, Exodys Energy, SHINE Technologies, Standard Nuclear and Flibe Energy for advanced negotiations under the Surplus Plutonium Utilization Program. The program will provide up to 20 metric tons of government-held surplus plutonium from Cold War defense programs for conversion into reactor fuel.

The department described the approach as a disposition-through-use strategy that makes legacy plutonium available as a near-term fuel source for advanced reactor designs while new domestic enrichment and fabrication facilities are built. Conversion and fabrication work must meet strict security, safeguards and accountability requirements and will be coordinated with existing plutonium handling facilities.

Oklo was chosen alongside the four other developers to advance technical pathways and contract talks. Oklo plans to leverage a partnership with European reactor developer Newcleo in which Oklo would lead utilization efforts and Newcleo would provide fuel expertise and potential project capital, subject to final agreements.

Companies that operate government plutonium processing sites are expected to support the work. At the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, Fluor leads the Savannah River Nuclear Solutions management and operations contract. Amentum participates at the site through the Savannah River Mission Completion consortium and contributes to nuclear materials management and remediation. Those roles provide experience with the secure handling infrastructure needed for plutonium processing.

The selection begins advanced negotiations; final contracts and chosen technical paths will depend on meeting safety, nonproliferation and regulatory approvals. Federal oversight and national security protocols will govern any handling, transport and use of plutonium-based fuels.

The program is intended as a bridge fuel option for reactors that can use plutonium-based fuel while domestic fuel production capacity expands. The availability of surplus plutonium for conversion could affect demand across engineering, site operations, component supply and fuel-related services, and involves companies beyond the uranium-mining sector.