thorium reactors a non-starter?

[jgarry]

http://www.independentaustralia.net/env ... -hype,4919

Is this credible?

[Skipjack]

The article is misleading. It is typical anti nuclear nonsense. India will start its first thorium reactor in September (if there are no delays) of THIS year, not 70 years in the future. China will start theirs next year. So, no, this article is wrong, wrong, wrong and typical anti nuclear propaganda from a bunch of lunatics.

[paperburn1]

Not only that but Norway has a reactor powering a paper mill right now. It is using a thorium based fuel.
http://www.thorenergy.no/

[jgarry]

It is curious that this technology hasn't been previously developed.

[Aero]

It is curious that this technology hasn't been previously developed.

It was, long ago, 1950's - 1970's. Just another government funding trade-off from being two potential ways to develop nuclear power.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molten_salt_reactor

[choff]

You have to remember that business is trying to sell the sustainable development(false scarcity) model to the public, inefficient energy technology at overly inflated prices. The last thing they want is an inexpensive replacement for the inexpensive coal industry they successfully wrecked. Watch the knives come out over the next decade for Thorium reactors, the protests will come from the same clowns protesting CO2 emissions.

[paperburn1]

Remember back then we had no global warming, plenty of oil, the middle east was our friends, and we needed plutonium for peacefull purposes .

no point in having that type of reactor

[Aero]

Remember back then we had no global warming, plenty of oil, the middle east was our friends, and we needed plutonium for peacefull purposes .

no point in having that type of reactor

Basically nailed it. Especially when you throw in the extra pork available with the chosen option, further development of thorium reactors was not politically desirable.