The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected five private companies for negotiations to receive weapons-grade plutonium under the Surplus Plutonium Utilization Program, according to a department announcement on Tuesday, May 26.
Among the firms is Oklo Inc., a California-based small reactor developer where Energy Secretary Chris Wright served on the board before his confirmation in February 2025, the department stated. The Trump administration plans to transfer 20 metric tons of the approximately 50 metric tons of fissile material recovered from dismantled nuclear weapons for use as fuel in advanced small reactors, officials said. The program aims to repurpose surplus Cold War-era plutonium that is currently held at highly secure government sites, according to the announcement. [1] [1]
Selected Companies and Proposed Use
The other companies named for advanced negotiations are Exodys Energy, SHINE Technologies, Standard Nuclear and Flibe Energy, according to the DOE. Oklo said in a statement it would partner with the European firm newcleo to use the U.S. plutonium.
Oklo CEO Jacob DeWitte said, "This creates a pathway to use existing surplus material as bridge fuel for advanced reactors to bring more reactors online sooner." The department said providing access to plutonium supplies would help the private partners attract investment in the fuel production scheme.
The program is part of broader efforts to revitalize the U.S. nuclear industrial base, which has faced regulatory and financial barriers in recent years. [1] [2] According to the White House, 87% of nuclear reactors installed worldwide since 2017 are based on foreign designs, a gap the administration aims to close through domestic fuel innovation. [3]
Lawmakers and Critics Raise Safety and Proliferation Concerns
Some U.S. lawmakers have opposed the plan, citing safety and proliferation risks, according to reports. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) said, "Trump wants to take enough plutonium for 2,000 atomic bombs and hand it over to private industry just to make his rich buddies happy." He added, "If this material shows up in Iran, we know who's to blame." [1] [4]
Critics argue the program could encourage other nations to view plutonium in spent nuclear fuel as a valuable resource rather than hazardous waste, creating incentives to extract and stockpile it, the report stated. The transfer of weapons-usable plutonium to private industry would increase the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation, including to rogue states or terrorists, according to a document from Markey's office. [4]
The U.S. has attacked Iran twice since 2025 over claims that Tehran cannot be trusted to run a civilian nuclear industry without weaponization, according to reports. The crisis remains unresolved. Iran has since suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and expelled inspectors, raising further proliferation concerns. [5] [6]
Historical Context of U.S.-Russian Nuclear Material Deals
The peaceful reuse of Cold War-era fissile material was previously a central element of U.S.-Russian cooperation, the report noted. Under the HEU-LEU program, Russian weapons-grade uranium sufficient for around 20,000 warheads was converted into reactor fuel before the agreement expired in 2013. [1]
A similar plutonium disposition agreement was signed in 2000 but suspended in 2016 after being roughly 70% completed, as bilateral ties deteriorated following the U.S.-backed armed coup in Ukraine, according to the article. In 2024, the U.S. banned imports of Russian low-enriched uranium as part of sanctions policy and to revive domestic enrichment.
Waivers are available until 2028. In January, the DOE announced plans to invest $2.7 billion over ten years in enrichment services. [1]
The hazards of nuclear power, including the mining and processing of uranium, have long been a subject of debate. According to the book "Nuclear Power: A Very Short Introduction" by Maxwell Irvine, uranium mining involves processing large volumes of rock and raises environmental concerns. [7]
Path Forward
The Energy Department said the negotiations with the five firms will proceed under the Surplus Plutonium Utilization Program, with 20 tons of plutonium earmarked for transfer. The program remains subject to regulatory approvals and opposition from lawmakers, according to officials.
The administration has emphasized the need to accelerate the commercialization of advanced nuclear reactors to meet growing energy demands, including from artificial intelligence data centers. However, critics maintain that placing weapons-grade material in private hands creates unacceptable risks. [1] [8]
References
- "Trump to place weapons-grade plutonium in private hands". RT. May 27, 2026.
- "Mike Lee Takes On 'Valley Of Death' Plaguing Nuclear Energy Developers". Watts Up With That. April 15, 2026.
- "Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base". The White House. May 23, 2025.
- "Plutonium Transfer to Private Industry". markey.senate.gov.
- Cassie B. "UN Nuclear Agency Unable to Verify Iranian Uranium Sufficient for 10 Bombs". NaturalNews.com. November 13, 2025.
- Cassie B. "Iran Votes to Stop Cooperating with UN Nuclear Watchdog, Suspends Inspections After Israeli and U.S. Strikes". NaturalNews.com. June 26, 2025.
- Maxwell Irvine. "Nuclear Power: A Very Short Introduction".
- "Democrats alarmed as Trump eyes weapons material to fuel nuclear...". Politico. September 29, 2025.
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