humanities.philosophy.objectivism

Unlike fusion (still waiting to see if ITER ends up producing net
positive energy) Thorium technology has been around for awhile and is
pretty far along towards the goal of commercial use. There are some
added perks that Thorium is far more abundant than uranium, some some
existing nuclear plants should theoretically be able to be
retrofitted, and thorium is NOT fissle. (although it does produce
fissionable Uranium.) The chief hurdle up to now is that Thorium
doesn't produce energy as efficiently as uranium.

http://www.thoriumpower.com/

Matt's GT-MHR link describes a reactor cooling/energy conversion
system (that can theoretically use different sorts of fuel). Thorium
is a particular fuel.....so we are talking a bit apples and oranges
here.

In an interesting twist though Thorium fuel can also (theoretically)
be used as fuel in Helium cooled reactors like the one Matt
mentions....which might end up in an ideal situation of a non-fissile
material that doesn't produce fissile material (and can possibly
consume them) and can compete with conventional uranium powered plants
in terms of energy output.. There is currently a 4th generation
nuclear research plant being built by General Atomics to confirm just
that. (under the auspices of the University at Texas)

http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2006/3313texas_mhtr.html.

(Some interesting data by the US DOE on upcoming/inprogress nuclear
reactors)

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/analysis/nucenviss2.html
http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelnuclear.html