The Rundown How Oklo Is Capitalizing on America’s Nuclear Revival (w/ CFO Craig Bealmear)
Dec 6, 2025
Craig Bealmear, CFO of Oklo, shares insights on the surge in demand for small nuclear reactors amid America's energy revival. He discusses innovative regulatory changes that are speeding up deployment and Oklo's groundbreaking Aurora powerhouse. The impact of the AI data center boom on energy needs is highlighted, showcasing a diverse 14-GW order book. Craig also navigates managing expectations as a pre-revenue public company and engages with retail investors, giving a transparent look at Oklo’s future milestones in this evolving industry.
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Customer-First Small Modular Reactors
- Oklo combines a build-own-operate model with 20-year PPAs to deliver clean, reliable baseload power without customers operating assets.
- Their 75 MW Aurora design leverages proven sodium-cooled technology and can site almost anywhere due to low water-cooling needs.
Aurora Looks Like A Chalet, Not A Reactor
- Craig often shows friends a picture of an Aurora powerhouse to defuse nuclear stereotypes; responses range from 'ski chalet' to 'church.'
- He uses that reaction to show Oklo's small, nontraditional aesthetic and siting flexibility.
Five Bottlenecks To Nuclear Scale
- Regulatory, fuel, supply chain, construction, and capital are the five constraints to scale despite high demand for reactors.
- Executive orders and DOE pilot programs are speeding permitting and fuel access without compromising safety.