DOE approves preliminary safety analysis for Oklo's Aurora reactor

The U.S. Department of Energy on June 11 approved the Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis for Oklo's Aurora powerhouse at Idaho National Laboratory, a major step on the authorization pathway under the department's Reactor Pilot Program. The review covered the project's hazard and accident analysis, safety controls, and design commitments for what would be Oklo's first commercial fast-fission plant, and Oklo shares rose roughly 5% on the news. The approval follows Oklo's June 4 close of its acquisition of Oak Ridge precision-manufacturing firm ARMEC, which added about 40 engineers and technicians.