Oklo Inc. received U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approval for the Final Documented Safety Analysis of its Groves Isotope Test Reactor in Texas. Company shares rose in pre-market trading following the announcement.
The approval confirms the facility's safety basis after a technical review of potential hazards and operating requirements. This milestone transitions the project from the documentation phase into the DOE’s final pre-startup review.
Remaining steps before loading nuclear fuel include a readiness review and final startup approval. Oklo targets July 2026 for first criticality, marking the reactor's first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.
The Groves facility aims to establish a domestic supply of isotopes for medical and industrial applications.