The facility is the first phase of a larger Advanced Fuel Center and is set to create over 800 jobs, positioning the state as a leader in the next era of nuclear energy.
Oklo Inc. has chosen Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as the site for its new advanced fuel center, a project poised to revitalize the U.S. nuclear industry. This multi-phase initiative begins with a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to recycling used nuclear fuel. The first-of-its-kind privately funded facility in the U.S. aims to recover usable fuel material from the more than 94,000 metric tons of used nuclear fuel currently stored across the country. According to Oklo, this material contains energy reserves equivalent to about 1.3 trillion barrels of oil, a resource five times the size of Saudi Arabia's oil reserves.
The recycling process will turn what is currently considered waste into a valuable fuel source for advanced reactors, such as Oklo's own Aurora powerhouse. By doing so, the company expects to reduce waste volumes, lower costs, and create a secure domestic fuel supply chain.
The project has garnered significant support and is being hailed as a major step toward American energy independence. Oklo is also exploring a landmark partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). This collaboration would be the first time a U.S. utility has considered recycling its used fuel for conversion into clean electricity. The new facility would recycle TVA's used fuel and evaluate future power sales from Oklo's powerhouses in the region back to TVA, effectively turning a legacy liability into a valuable resource.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and TVA President Don Moul both emphasized the strategic importance of the project. Governor Lee highlighted the state's creation of the Nuclear Energy Fund to attract and expand its nuclear ecosystem, noting that Oklo is the fifth company to utilize the fund. Don Moul, meanwhile, praised the partnership as a step forward in shaping the future of nuclear energy.
Oklo has been actively engaged with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to advance the project. The company has already completed a licensing project plan for the recycling facility and is in the pre-application engagement phase with the NRC's staff. It also recently completed a pre-application readiness assessment for Phase 1 of the combined license application for its first commercial Aurora powerhouse.
The Tennessee facility is anticipated to begin producing metal fuel for the Aurora powerhouses by the early 2030s, following regulatory reviews and approvals. This timeline aligns with Oklo's broader strategy to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale, all while establishing a robust domestic supply chain and tackling the long-standing challenge of nuclear waste.
