Ohio Greenlights Nuclear Startup’s Plan to Produce Plutonium at Piketon
The State of Ohio is throwing its support behind OKLO, a Silicon Valley nuclear startup, as it partners with Atomic Alchemy to pursue an experimental project in southern Ohio.
According to the Ohio Nuclear Development Authority’s 2025 Annual Report, the companies are moving forward with a plan to install small, experimental reactors at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant site in Piketon. The goal: use reactor byproducts to produce a range of isotopes.
That list includes plutonium, one of the most dangerous radioactive substances on earth. The material, once processed, is intended for use in space power systems such as long-lasting “space batteries,” and potentially for medical applications like advanced cancer treatments.
A High-Stakes Bet in Appalachia
The Piketon site has a long, controversial history. For decades, the federal government used the facility to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons and commercial power plants. That legacy left behind radioactive waste, toxic contamination, and ongoing cleanup operations costing taxpayers billions.
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Now, Ohio is betting that turning the site into a hub for advanced nuclear development could spark a new industry. Proponents argue that isotope production is critical for space exploration and medical research. But critics worry that introducing plutonium production—even at small experimental levels—raises fresh safety, security, and environmental concerns.
What’s Next?
The OKLO–Atomic Alchemy partnership still faces federal regulatory approvals, including oversight by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Public hearings are expected as the project moves forward.
For southern Ohio, the stakes are enormous. The region could see new jobs and investment—or a revival of the same risks that have haunted the community for decades.
Source: Ohio Nuclear Development Authority, 2025 Annual Report