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U.S. Selects Five Firms to Enter Negotiations Over Cold War Plutonium

Reusing weapons-era plutonium aims to ease fuel shortages for new reactors, raising nonproliferation concerns alongside increased regulatory scrutiny.

Estados Unidos negocia reutilizar plutonio militar como combustible para reactores nucleares avanzados impulsados por la demanda energética de la inteligencia artificial.

Overview

  • The Department of Energy announced on May 27, 2026 that it selected Oklo, Exodys Energy, SHINE, Standard Nuclear and Flibe Energy to begin advanced negotiations to access excess plutonium from dismantled warheads.
  • The talks could allow companies to convert weapons-usable plutonium into fuel for next-generation small modular and advanced reactors, but no transfers or final agreements have been completed.
  • Industry leaders say the move is meant to provide a transitional fuel source while U.S. uranium enrichment capacity scales up after 2022 supply disruptions from Russia.
  • Lawmakers and nonproliferation experts warn that giving private firms access to weapons-capable material raises risks for diversion and weakens U.S. leverage to discourage similar programs abroad.
  • National labs and companies are running technical fuel-development tests and regulatory reviews will be required before any material moves, leaving outcomes dependent on safety, security and legal approvals.