The Thorium Problem!

[formercia]

2. Rare Earth Elements are needed

to make the powerful Magnets that are an essential component of Wind Turbines. Thorium is an unwanted waste product of mining Rare-Earth containing Minerals, primarily Monazite, of which the US has an abundant supply.

Thorium can be used as a Fuel for a Nuclear Reactor that does no produce Plutonium and much less waste than Uranium based Reactors but the Uranium-based Nuclear Industrial Complex does not want the competition from Thorium.

If the US were to start the production of Thorium-based reactors for generating Energy, it would allow the production of needed Rare-Earth Elements, by taking Thorium out of the waste stream, and putting it to use for generating Energy.