Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) saw its shares rise over 7% after the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected the company for advanced negotiations under the Surplus Plutonium Utilization Program. This initiative aims to repurpose 34 metric tons of surplus plutonium from the Cold War era into fuel for advanced nuclear reactors. The announcement led to pre-market trading increases of up to 12% above the previous close. The DOE's program marks a strategic shift from treating plutonium as waste to utilizing it as reactor fuel, potentially easing fuel supply constraints for Oklo's Aurora reactors, which are designed to operate on recycled nuclear fuel. Oklo's partnership with European nuclear developer newcleo combines reactor technology with capital and fuel fabrication expertise, enhancing its competitive edge. This selection adds to Oklo's existing DOE collaborations, including fuel line pilot projects and a radioisotope pilot facility agreement. While the negotiation phase does not guarantee a contract, it positions Oklo among five companies exploring innovative reactor and fuel solutions, potentially reducing reliance on equity financing through newcleo's involvement.