PRESS RELEASE2 MIN READ
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) (“Oklo”), an advanced nuclear technology company, is engaging with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in a Pre-Application Readiness Assessment for its combined license application (COLA) for Oklo’s Aurora Powerhouse at the Idaho National Laboratory. The readiness assessment allows NRC staff to review and familiarize themselves with Oklo’s licensing materials ahead of the full application review so that both sides can prepare for an efficient application review.
The NRC will begin Oklo’s Readiness Assessment in late March 2025. This assessment is designed to specifically address the content of the first phase of Oklo’s COLA submission, which will include information on the siting and environmental portions of the application. By pre-emptively addressing the NRC’s concerns and offering an opportunity to refine submitted information, the readiness assessment helps streamline the formal review process and ensure an efficient path forward.
Oklo has been engaged with the NRC since 2016, proactively working to establish a clear regulatory pathway for its advanced nuclear technology. The company has completed extensive pre-application engagement, including securing an approved quality assurance program description and advancing key licensing areas such as safety analysis, operational programs, environmental considerations, and component classification.
“We continue making progress towards obtaining commercial licenses for next-generation nuclear technologies,” said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo.
As a result of the 2024 ADVANCE Act, the NRC is actively working to modernize the regulatory landscape for advanced nuclear. A key component of this effort is a significant reduction in licensing fees, making regulatory processes more accessible and cost effective for advanced reactor developers. The NRC has proposed cutting the hourly rate for advanced reactor applicants by nearly 55%, with this change set to take effect on October 1, 2025.
Oklo plans to submit a formal COLA later this year, with plans for follow on applications to fulfill its order pipeline of more than 14 GW.
About Oklo Inc.: Oklo Inc. is developing fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale; establishing a domestic supply chain for critical radioisotopes; and advancing nuclear fuel recycling to convert nuclear waste into clean energy. Oklo was the first to receive a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for a commercial advanced fission plant, was awarded fuel from Idaho National Laboratory, and submitted the first custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Oklo is also developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and national laboratories.