Nuclear power, like the space program, were dual use programs: i.e. both civilian and defense.
The technology for rockets to the moon applied to ballistic missiles used to carry nuclear warheads.
Uranium cycle reactors produce plutonium used to make the warheads. The thorium cycle produces no fissile material and is of little use to the defense side of the coin. That is why uranium became the fuel of choice. Thorium has the particular advantage in that it cannot be used to make warheads if it gets into the wrong hands.
Neither Thorium nor Uranium production’s by-products are as versatile as those from coal or crude Oil.
Plastics,
Lubricants,
fertilizers,
inks, dyes, polymers, etc.
Get the IDEA?
Going “carbon Free” is insanity!
You’ve just nailed the issue on the head.
People need to remember that most of what went on inside the DOE in the 70’s and 80’s was weapons-related. The whole Carter-era hippy energy binge was just a diversion.
Matter of fact, I’d go so far as to predict that any alternative energy plans that actually work will not come out of the DOE.
“...dual use programs...”
Our power reactors throughout the nation aren’t used to produce plutonium, are they? I read in wikipedia that the liquid thorium cycle won’t produce fissile material but a solid thorium cycle will, or something like that.
The world is waiting for a clean, safe source of electric power. There’s plenty of motivation to try to use thorium. Some technical difficulty is standing in the way.