US-based nuclear power and fuel recycling company Oklo and nuclear fuel technology company Lightbridge Corporation have announced a strategic collaboration to explore the potential co-location of a Lightbridge fuel fabrication facility within Oklo’s planned advanced fuel manufacturing facility.
This follows a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in January which focuses on a feasibility study for co-locating Lightbridge’s commercial-scale fuel fabrication facility at Oklo’s proposed site at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls. The MOU also explores a nuclear waste recycling collaboration.
The latest initiative aims to accelerate the commercialisation of advanced nuclear fuels through joint fuel fabrication and research and development, including manufacturing fuel using repurposed plutonium from legacy materials.
This announcement follows the Executive Orders signed by US President Donald Trump in May that prioritise the acceleration of US nuclear energy deployment including a call for the Secretary of Energy to establish a programme to process surplus plutonium and make it available for advanced reactor fuel.
The proposed co-located facility would support the production of advanced fuels for both fast reactors and light water reactors. The collaboration underscores a shared vision for strengthening domestic energy security, supporting advanced reactor deployment, improving the performance of existing light water reactors, and enhancing the resilience of the nuclear fuel supply chain.
“We’re building the infrastructure to help fuel new nuclear development and deployment,” said Jacob DeWitte, Co-Founder and CEO of Oklo. “This collaboration supports our efforts to bolster near- and mid-term advanced reactor fuel supplies with legacy materials such as down-blended uranium and repurposed plutonium. It directly aligns with strong federal direction supporting domestic fuel independence.”
The co-located site would also serve as a joint R&D hub for advanced fuel development. These capabilities align with emerging federal policy and represent a critical step toward building a robust commercial supply chain for next-generation nuclear technologies.
“This joint effort reflects a shared vision for a modern nuclear fuel cycle—one that supports both existing and advanced reactors and strengthens America’s energy resilience,” said Seth Grae, President and CEO of Lightbridge Corporation. “Together, we’re working toward a new era of US-led nuclear innovation.”
Oklo was the first company to receive a site use permit from the US Department of Energy (DOE) for a commercial advanced fission plant. It was awarded fuel from Idaho National Laboratory, and submitted the first custom combined licence application for an advanced reactor to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Oklo is developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the DOE and national laboratories.
Lightbridge is developing advanced nuclear fuel technology. Lightbridge Fuel is a proprietary next-generation nuclear fuel technology for existing light water reactors and pressurised heavy water reactors as well as small modular reactors (SMRs).
Lightbridge has two long-term framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance, DOE’s operating contractor for Idaho National Laboratory. DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) programme has twice awarded Lightbridge to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel. Lightbridge is participating in two university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University.
