Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) has received startup authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy for its Groves Isotope Test Reactor in Lockhart, Texas, clearing the way for fuel loading, startup testing, and initial reactor operations.

The authorization was granted under the DOE Reactor Pilot Program following a readiness review in which a multidisciplinary DOE team confirmed that Oklo met engineering, organizational, and operational safety requirements. The review assessed facility procedures, personnel training, equipment conformance to approved design, safety system functionality, and implementation of required safety management programs.

Oklo said it progressed from groundbreaking to receiving the authorization in just over 10 months. The company built the reactor facility on private land using commercially sourced fuel and major components, and developed all safety management programs in-house.

Groves is a low-power test reactor intended to demonstrate reactor design, construction, and operations, and to establish operating experience for planned future isotope production facilities. Oklo said the isotopes produced could be used in cancer care, manufacturing, scientific research, space exploration, and national security applications.

"This facility marks the fastest time that we are aware of to go from greenfield to substantial completion for a full-scale, privately funded and sited reactor in history," said Oklo co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte.

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Mike Goff said the DOE is "excited to see another Reactor Pilot Program participant receive authorization."

Oklo said future projects will build on the systems, qualified suppliers, and operating programs established through the Groves project. The company is also pursuing commercial-scale power plants and nuclear fuel recycling, according to the press release.