The U.S.Department of Energy (DOE) is considering a program to make surplus plutonium available for use in nuclear fuel, marking a significant shift from its traditional role in weapons production.Up to five companies—Oklo, Exodys Energy, Shine Technologies, Standard Nuclear, and Flibe Energy, Inc.—have been selected for advanced negotiations regarding potential allocations of surplus plutonium.This initiative follows a White House executive order halting a prior program that aimed to dilute and dispose of the material.

The DOE's plan includes weapons-grade, fuel-grade, reactor-grade, and mixed plutonium, intended to support the growth of domestic nuclear energy, promote innovation in recycling technologies, and attract private investment in advanced reactors.Proponents argue this could help overcome fuel supply constraints and accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.

However, critics, including former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, warn that introducing plutonium into civilian nuclear programs carries significant security risks and could create additional stocks of weapons-usable material.

The debate highlights the ongoing tension between advancing nuclear energy and managing proliferation risks, as the government seeks ways to repurpose Cold War-era nuclear materials safely and effectively.