The reason this is not on the front burner is....(DRUMROLL)
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND THE LEFTIST HOPLOPHOBES DOMINATING ALL ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTS, INCLUDING THE RINO ESTABLISHMENT.
If we had plentiful, cheap electricity from these Thorium reactors, we could use coal liquifaction to meet all of our petroleum needs not covered by domestic drilling. Combined with exploiting our ever more plentiful natural gas reserves, all energy costs would drop, PRODUCTIVE (i.e. manufacturing) employment would skyrocket, and the need for the Welfare State would plummet.
In other words, all these “government is the only solution” people in both parties would look like the power-hungry/mad idiots they really are.
Can’t have that!
When “power to the people” becomes a looming reality it seems a lot of elitists come out from under their rocks to oppose it !!
Can’t say as I agree with “coal gasification”, however. But therein lies the germ of another approach. With virtually unlimited energy, why not create gasoline/diesel from the current waste stream ? It contains carbons, water, short and long chain polymers, even gasses ! IOW, all that’s needed - except energy - create more fuel !
Gas and diesel are very valuable/viable fuels. Their energy content is high, but so is their safety factor. The infrastructure/consumer knowledge base for safe handling is well-distributed as folklore. Why fix “what ain’t broke” ? >PS