NRC reviews Oklo’s new nuclear operator licensing model

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO), a company specializing in advanced fission power plants with a market capitalization of $7.54 billion, has reached a new milestone in its regulatory process with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which has begun reviewing the company’s Licensed Operator Topical Report. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company’s stock appears overvalued at current levels, despite showing impressive YTD returns of over 155%. This development follows Oklo’s recent participation in the NRC’s Readiness Assessment Audit for Phase 1 of its Combined License Application.

The topical report submitted by Oklo proposes a novel approach to licensing nuclear plant operators. Unlike the current U.S. standard, which requires operators to be licensed at individual facilities, Oklo’s model suggests licensing operators for the Aurora powerhouse technology itself. This would allow for centralized monitoring and the ability to move operators between different sites as needed. The Aurora powerhouse is designed with automatic controls and inherent safety features that facilitate this operational flexibility. InvestingPro data reveals the company maintains a strong financial position with a current ratio of 36.23, indicating robust liquidity to support its operational initiatives.

Oklo’s business strategy involves building, owning, and operating its powerhouses to directly sell energy, which is consistent with their licensing approach aimed at efficiency and repeatability. Once the NRC approves the Licensed Operator Topical Report, it could be used as a reference in future applications, potentially expediting the licensing process for additional powerhouses.

Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo, stated, "This milestone demonstrates how our licensing strategy supports our mission to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy quickly and at scale. By combining all aspects of design, construction, and operation into one application, we’re streamlining the path to deployment."

Oklo has been recognized as the first to secure a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for a commercial advanced fission plant. The company has also received fuel material from Idaho National Laboratory and submitted the inaugural custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the NRC. Additionally, Oklo is developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Laboratories.

This announcement is based on a press release statement and includes forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. The NRC’s review process is ongoing, and the outcome will be a significant factor in determining the future of Oklo’s Aurora powerhouses and their licensing model. InvestingPro analysis shows the company is not yet profitable, with an EBITDA of -$62.96 million in the last twelve months. Investors seeking deeper insights into Oklo’s financial health and growth prospects can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively to InvestingPro subscribers, which includes detailed analysis of the company’s performance metrics and future potential.

In other recent news, Oklo Inc. held its annual stockholder meeting, resulting in the election of Michael Klein and Lieutenant General (ret.) John Jansen as Class I directors. The meeting also saw the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year 2025. Analysts at Craig Hallum have expressed a positive outlook for Oklo, reaffirming a Buy rating, citing the growing demand for advanced nuclear solutions and a significant power purchase agreement involving nuclear energy. Additionally, Oklo has publicly supported a series of executive orders from the White House aimed at accelerating the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, positioning the company as a key player in this initiative. William Blair has initiated coverage on Oklo with an Outperform rating, highlighting the company’s innovative approach to nuclear energy development and its potential for market adoption. Furthermore, Oklo has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to collaborate on the development and deployment of nuclear technology globally. This partnership focuses on enhancing the design and development of Oklo’s Aurora powerhouse and progressing through the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s licensing process.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.