Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

THE THORIUM PROBLEM - Manufacturing & energy sector hobbled by thorium

Published on Apr 4, 2012

John Kutsch of Thorium Energy Alliance and Jim Kennedy of ThREE Consulting review the hazards maintaining U.S. current thorium policy. Heavy Rare Earth Element mining is impeded. Energy sector innovation is stifled. Thorium is less dangerous, less radioactive, and less easily metabolized than many elements we are exposed to on a daily basis.

Current regulation assists China's capture of high-tech manufacturing sector. Current regulation protects incumbent U.S. [light] rare earth producers who DISPOSE of thorium and valuable heavy rare earths in tailing ponds. Current regulation does NOT facilitate growth of U.S. economy.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle recognize reform is needed. No one is willing to introduce legislation to address the thorium problem. China continues to capture high-tech manufacturing jobs. U.S. private corporations are unable to pursue thorium an an energy resource.

THE THORIUM PROBLEM was delivered at SME - Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration on Feb 20th 2012 [2012-02-20] in Seattle.