With an upside potential of 24.9%, Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) earns a spot on our list of the best nuclear energy stocks to buy as SMRs go mainstream. viktor-kiryanov-lAcYPEiau0U-unsplash Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) received a meaningful regulatory de-risking boost on May 6, 2026, when the…
C approved its Principal Design Criteria (PDC) topical report for the Aurora powerhouse under construction in Idaho. The PDC lays down the requirements that the reactors must follow regarding safety, reliability, and operational performance
These standards will guide future reactor licensing and design activities. The development also means that future approvals may take less time. Importantly, the NRC completed the approval process unusually quickly, accepting the submission in just 15 days versus the typical 30-to-60-day window and finished the entire approval process in less than half the traditional timeframe.
That aligns with broader U.S. government efforts to modernize and speed up nuclear regulation following executive orders issued in May 2025, as well as the ADVANCE Act, a law designed to support advanced nuclear energy development. That works in favor of Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) as it moves toward commercializing its reactors. Meanwhile, analysts continue to express bullishness on the overall setup for SMRs, with JPMorgan saying on May 11 that SMR developers are likely to see strong demand amid the expansion of data centers.