Trump administration selects five firms for plutonium fuel deal

The U.S. Energy Department announced that five private companies—Oklo, Exodys Energy, SHINE Technologies, Standard Nuclear and Flibe Energy—will enter advanced negotiations to obtain surplus weapons‑grade plutonium from dismantled Cold‑War warheads. The material would be converted into fuel for next‑generation small modular nuclear reactors, aiming to overcome the current fuel‑supply bottleneck and spur private investment in advanced nuclear power.

Supporters say the deal could accelerate the domestic nuclear renaissance and help meet rising electricity demand, especially from AI‑driven data centers. Critics warn it may set a dangerous precedent for civilian use of weapons‑usable material and increase proliferation risks. The move is part of broader Trump‑era actions that have cut regulatory red tape, shortened Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing timelines and revised safety standards to hasten commercial deployment of advanced reactors.