Tennessee
Advanced Fuel Center (Phase 1: fuel recycling facility)
Recycling used fuel for advanced nuclear power
In September 2025, Oklo selected Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as the site for the nation’s first advanced commercial nuclear fuel recycling and fuel manufacturing facility. This $1.68 billion, privately funded investment is a major step toward building a secure domestic fuel supply for advanced reactors such as Oklo’s Aurora powerhouses.
The planned 248-acre facility will leverage Oak Ridge’s nuclear expertise and infrastructure while strengthening Tennessee’s leadership in nuclear power.
The fuel recycling facility
In Oak Ridge, Oklo will recycle used nuclear fuel from today’s reactor fleet and turn it into new fuel for tomorrow’s fast reactors. This process:
Recycles used nuclear fuel, shortening long-term radiotoxicity of material requiring disposal from tens of thousands of years to a few hundred, and shrinking the volume of material requiring final disposal
Recovers valuable materials that still contain enormous energy potential or can be used to develop critical isotopes for medical, industrial, research, and defense applications
Benefits to Tennessee: The project will help confirm the state as a leader in advanced nuclear and fuel recycling.
The project aims to create more than 800 permanent, full-time, good-paying jobs across engineering, operations, security, manufacturing, and support roles. It also supports collaboration with research institutions and the sustainable development of a former industrial site.
Initial hiring is expected to begin later in 2026.
Why Tennessee? Tennessee combines a deep nuclear legacy, including trusted institutions, an experienced workforce, and an established industrial base, making it a natural home for advanced nuclear projects.
The nuclear industry is deeply woven into the community of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Oak Ridge was built as a closed, wartime “Secret City” for the Manhattan Project, and it still anchors major national nuclear institutions including Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex.
The region is already a nuclear and advanced-energy hub, with large projects advancing across power generation and the fuel cycle. Oklo is helping lead the next phase of nuclear expansion in the state by building an integrated end-to-end model designed for scalable development.
Project timing
Subject to certain regulatory approvals and property transfers, Oklo projects the following high-level project milestones:
- Start of site preparation2026
- Initial hiring2026
- Start of initial construction2027
- Start of volume hiring2028
- Commissioning2030
Community engagement
Oklo has begun sustained community engagement and plans to open a local Oak Ridge office; hire locally and build a regional workforce pipeline; partner with schools, higher education institutions, and workforce programs; support local civic organizations and science education institutions; and engage with community historians and cultural stakeholders, including the Wheat Community.
Environmental impact
Large construction projects must meet protective standards before they proceed. Federal licensing (under the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission) includes reviews of wildlife, air, water, and habitat on the site. Siting prioritizes industrial corridors with existing infrastructure. The site was previously evaluated under the National Environmental Policy Act for alternative industrial use and received a Finding of No Significant Impact.