Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) announced the U.S. Department of Energy has approved the Nuclear Safety Design Agreement for its Aurora powerhouse reactor at Idaho National Laboratory. The DOE Idaho Operations Office approval allows the advanced nuclear technology company to proceed with its first reactor project under the department's Reactor Pilot Program.

The company has signed a DOE Other Transaction Agreement to support the design, construction, and operation of the Aurora powerhouse. Following the safety design approval, Oklo requested DOE commence review of its Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis.

"The OTA sets the program structure, while the design agreement reflects DOE's rigorous authorization process and safety-first approach," said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo. The executive noted the DOE pathway supports a stepwise approach while the company continues engagement for future commercial licensing by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Robert Boston, Manager of the DOE Idaho Operations Office, said the department is committed to enabling safe progress from design to demonstration. The Aurora powerhouse approval accompanies the Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility, supporting an integrated Idaho effort for domestic nuclear capability.

The Aurora reactor project connects to Oklo's Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility at Idaho National Laboratory, which will fabricate the first fuel assemblies for the reactor. DOE Idaho approved the fuel facility's safety design agreement in November 2025 and its safety analysis in December under the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Line Pilot Program.

Oklo secured access to fuel recovered from the Experimental Breeder Reactor II through a competitive process launched in 2019. The company received a site-use permit at Idaho National Laboratory the same year to construct the Aurora reactor.