[familyop]

Good arguments! I have an even better climate for wind, but we have to build the good turbines ourselves. ...even better for sun here (well over 300 days out of the year). Agreed on nuclear for commercial. That would be the best answer that I know of for air conditioning down there.

I heard that nuclear needs a lot of water for cooling, though. ...maybe around the Gulf Coast for Texas? Will ocean water work for that? And in the dryer parts of the West here, that might be a no-go. But many of us in the West already have better conditions for sun (especially), wind, etc. ...and real nasty weather (dry, cold, windy, high, etc.). We on the northern half of the Range don't need air conditioning, though.

Northern wet places? Nuclear would probably be great in those, along with wood/coal boilers for homes and the like.

[Squantos]

Cooling can be contained aka closed loop systems with multiple enclosed cisterns etc for thorium units. I see your concerns yet most that use such are very old designs.

I think it can be done.

Another thing to consider is new building codes that require extensive insulation efforts. My homes shell is double stud wall construction with expanding foam insulation. Titanium white metal roof with large overhangs / eaves an front an back porches.

Windows are pella triple pane an storm windows etc are triple pane with a UV thermal reflective tinting film.

Solar roof vents an fans as well.

My HVAC is a deep well system that keeps the home about 70 degrees so far this summer. It was / is a hot summer here in the panhandle of Texas. Insulation makes a difference that pays off ....

Rolling brownouts still get me but if power goes out at 2PM in 100 degree heat the house will stay comfortable the rest of the day. Sort of like living in a Coleman cooler inside a Coleman cooler.....:o)