Shares of Oklo Inc. (OKLO) surged 6.66% in pre-market trading on Monday, following the company's announcement of a significant step forward in its nuclear power plant licensing process. The nuclear technology startup revealed its engagement with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a pre-application readiness assessment of its Aurora Powerhouse reactors at the Idaho National Laboratory.

The pre-application assessment, scheduled to begin in late March, is designed to address the content of the first phase of Oklo's combined license application submission (COLA) for the reactors. This strategic move allows NRC staff to review and familiarize themselves with Oklo's licensing materials ahead of the full application review, potentially streamlining the formal review process and ensuring a more efficient path forward for the company's innovative nuclear technology.

Investors appear to be reacting positively to this development, as it signals Oklo's proactive approach to regulatory compliance and project advancement. The company plans to submit a formal combined license application later this year, which could accelerate the commercialization of its advanced fission technology. This progress in the licensing process may strengthen Oklo's position in the competitive clean energy market, driving investor optimism and contributing to the stock's pre-market rally. As of the previous close, Oklo's stock had already seen a year-to-date increase of approximately 28%, indicating growing interest in the company's potential within the nuclear energy sector.