Oklo responds with a press release, raising more questions

On May 11, 2026, Oklo seems to have responded to the questions raised by Lockhart Nuke Watch, with a slick press release. They’ve added a Texas page.

It’s very high level and general, and still leaves many questions unanswered. Still, it is at least the start of what is hopefully a dialogue and a commitment to honest transparency with the lives of central Texans at stake.

Oklo’s response is below. It raises more questions, which are included inline. As always, readers are encouraged to add their own.

“Groves: Groves is a pool-type, water-cooled, non-pressurized isotope production reactor using low-enriched uranium fuel. It is connected to Oklo Isotopes’ production technology, with Groves serving as a platform to build operating experience and support future production-scale deployments. 

This is consistent with the VIPR materials that have been found from open sources such as the NRC ADAMS website on Atomic Alchemy’s prior cancelled projects.

Oklo, can you confirm that this Groves reactor is the same VIPR design, with the same specifications? If not, what are the differences, and where is the NRC documentation for Groves?

Why is the normally open and public documentation on Groves being completely withheld from the public?

Oversight: The project is being developed under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Reactor Pilot Program (RPP). DOE is the federal authorization authority for this research, development, and demonstration project. Before startup, the project must complete DOE safety reviews, including safety analysis and readiness review steps. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) also monitors RPP projects, and future commercial deployments would go through the NRC’s commercial licensing process. State and local authorities are involved, where applicable, for non-nuclear matters such as construction, emergency coordination, environmental permits, and local compliance. 

Where can the central Texas community learn more about the outcome from these DOE safety reviews? Where are they being published?

Has the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality assessed this project for environmental impacts? Given the potential for water contamination (see Tritium for example) in the community, this seems well within TCEQ jurisdiction.

Has the facility passed fire code inspection? What codes were evaluated?

Is the local fire department equipped to safely handle a fire potentially involving radioactive materials?

What other state and local jurisdictions are involved?

What does “where applicable” mean? It could mean that you think none are applicable. Please be specific.

Fuel: Groves uses low-enriched uranium, or LEU, which is a fuel that is manufactured in the United States and has been used for decades in large commercial reactors around the country. Nuclear fuel is subject to strict nuclear safeguards and security requirements. That includes material control and accounting, physical protection and secure transportation. 

Waste: The Groves site is not being developed as a long-term waste disposal facility. Materials, including spent fuel from the project, will be managed under approved safety and waste-management procedures. That means material is characterized, packaged, stored, transported, and disposed of through federally regulated channels. Any used fuel from Groves is initially stored within the reactor system and adjacent facility structures, where it is passively cooled and safely contained. It will then be transferred to another Oklo site. 

How much waste is produced, what kinds of waste, and in what volumes?

How is the local environment protected from becoming contaminated with this waste?

Business model: The purpose of Groves is to help establish a dependable domestic isotope supply chain. Many critical isotopes are currently produced overseas or in aging facilities. Groves is intended to help validate systems, operating procedures, and production methods that can support future commercial isotope production in the United States. 

If Oklo closes this line of business, runs out of funds, etc. how will the site be decommissioned, and what does that process look like for Lockhart? What would the timeline be like?

Water use: Groves is not a commercial power plant and is not designed around large-scale steam generation or evaporative cooling. All water is used inside controlled reactor systems for cooling and shielding. Water use, wastewater handling, stormwater management, and any applicable construction or operating permits would be addressed through the appropriate local, state, and federal processes. DOE’s reactor authorization process is intended to ensure authorized facilities protect workers, the public, and the environment. 

While it’s good to know that this will not be a classic steam pressure reactor, there are still risks with operating a controlled fission reaction.

Given the recent changes to DOE regulations in this capacity, the central Texas community has concerns that this may not be a standard that protects workers, the public or the environment. There are now a lot of “MAY” where there used to be “MUST” language. See for yourself.

How is the integrity of the light water pool and the heavy water (DANK) tank maintained in the event of problems during significant transients

Safety: Groves is not designed around high-pressure steam generation. As a pool-type, water-cooled, non-pressurized isotope production reactor using low-enriched uranium fuel, Groves uses water in a controlled pool environment for cooling and shielding rather than operating like a large, pressurized commercial power reactor. A “meltdown”, in technical terms, is what happens if the fuel is damaged, cooling is lost, or radioactive material is released. The DOE safety review will analyze credible accident scenarios, including fuel damage and release pathways, and it will define barriers, operating limits, monitoring, and emergency actions required before startup. 

The design accounts for material stress, component reliability, seismic and natural-hazard conditions, mechanical failures, and off-normal events. Under DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program authorization process, those issues are addressed through the project’s safety basis, including hazard analysis, accident analysis, safety-classified structures, operating limits, and DOE review before startup. 

Why are these reviews being withheld from public review and comment? Where can the public review them?

What kind of testing has been done to assure the public that this site is actually safe?

Has a reactor of this design ever been operated under the conditions and parameters proposed here?

Will there be regular testing of the surrounding air and water to detect contamination leaks?

Emergency response: Offsite protective actions, if they are deemed necessary, would be coordinated with all the appropriate federal, state, and local emergency-management authorities. At Oklo, we are committed to working with Caldwell County officials and will share appropriate public information on emergency planning as the project advances. Residents should expect clear information on who is responsible, how notifications would occur, and what protective actions, if any, are required. 

Are there 24-7 Oklo staff onsite ready to respond to a reactor incident, should one occur?

It is difficult to understand the meaning of “offsite protective actions” here. Hopefully it means Oklo is going to work with local first responders in person – and not phone in a cleanup request remotely!

Given this reactor is planned to go critical in July 2026, have local first responders received the necessary training to respond to incidents involving the reactor?

Given that the communication plan is still being worked out, when will there be an update on what to expect, and how will this be delivered to the community? How does this work at Oklo’s other sites? For a July 2026 target date, this is rapidly approaching.

What kinds of regular audits will be done to ensure the site remains in compliance?

Proto-Town partnership: Groves is an isotope production project. It is not a weapons project, and Oklo does not design or manufacture weapons. The Groves facility is being developed to support domestic isotope production for uses such as cancer diagnosis and treatment, advanced manufacturing, scientific research, space applications, and national security needs. Other Proto-Town tenants are separate companies with separate businesses. Any site-level relationships should not be confused with a technical partnership or shared mission.

The main concern here is transparency, due diligence and the safety of the community in the surrounding area.

Can you elaborate on the meaning and consequences of isotopes for “space applications” and “national security needs” at all?

Power vs isotopes: Oklo’s business model includes three main business lines: power, fuel, and isotopes. Groves is part of Oklo’s isotope business line and its purpose is to gather operating experience, validate systems and procedures, and support future commercial isotope production in the United States.”

Does Oklo have plans to bring these other lines of business to central Texas? Is this paving the way for even more projects in the area?

Please let us know if our office can be of further assistance with this matter.