Markey Calls Out Energy Secretary’s Conflict of Interest with Oklo and Transfer of Nuclear Materials

Letter Text (PDF)

Washington (September 23, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today sent a letter to President Donald Trump raising concerns about Secretary of Energy Chris Wright's close relationship with Oklo Inc., a nuclear technology company. Secretary Wright's recent involvement with Oklo suggests a conflict of interest within the Administration that could compromise U.S. national security by providing weapons-usable plutonium to private industry.

In the letter, Senator Markey writes, "Oklo Inc., a nuclear technology start-up, is the main company interested in receiving plutonium from [the Department of Energy]. Oklo is also, with DOE's support, building a $1.7 billion reprocessing plant in Tennessee. Your Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, served on the Board of Directors of Oklo until his confirmation in February. In 2024, Wright and his wife also made contributions to your presidential campaign totaling about $458,000 and made contributions to the Republication National Committee of about $330,400. In the first quarter of 2025, Oklo increased its lobbying expenditures by 500% compared to the same period last year."

Senator Markey continues, "I am concerned that your Administration is moving forward with plans to transfer plutonium to Oklo and allow it to build a reprocessing plant not because these proposals make sense for the United States, but because Oklo stands to benefit financially and Secretary Wright is acting in his former company's interest. Given Secretary Wright's close ties to the company, Oklo's nuclear projects present an appearance of impropriety."

Senator Markey requests the following information by September 30, 2025:

1. What role did Secretary Wright play in the decisions to supply weapons-usable plutonium to private industry and allow Oklo to build a reprocessing plant in Tennessee?
2. Does Secretary Wright currently have a financial stake in Oklo?
3. Has Secretary Wright recused himself from all DOE decisions regarding Oklo? If not, why not?
4. Has DOE reached an agreement to provide plutonium to Oklo?
5. Is DOE involved with other contracts involving Oklo?
6. Are there other senior officials in DOE with connections to Oklo?
7. Were there other donors to your campaign with connections to Oklo? If so, who?

On September 10, Senator Markey and Representatives John Garamendi (CA-08) and Don Beyer (VA-08) wrote to President Trump expressing concern over DOE's plan to transfer at least 20 metric tons of weapons-usable plutonium-enough for approximately 2,000 nuclear bombs-to private industry for commercial energy use.

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