[mad_as_he$$]

Yes, but it was not the design currently being discussed (which is way better if it works as advertised). I do not see any nuclear power plants coming online in this country for the next fifty years. The current generation(s) of kids have been to indoctrinated against nuclear to the point of rabid opposition. Just think if we had 100 plants in the 600Mw range in operation what a different place we would be in the energy world.

[thackney]

Yes, the older thorium reactor was a hot gas cooled design. We have better options today. The Thorium reaction was used in commercial operation in that unit.

I believe we will see new nuclear units being built this decade. There are several in progress.

Location of Projected New Nuclear Power Reactors
http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/col/new-reactor-map.html

New Reactor Licensing Applications
http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/new-licensing-files/new-rx-licensing-app-legend.pdf