[ChuckMcM]

In order to make Thorium successful you have to consider the consequences. The Nuclear Power industy has been under attack now significantly longer than it was "the next big thing" (during the 50's it was 'cool' and starting in the mid-sixties on it has been 'un-cool') Long enough that all it knows is 'attack.' If someone says "This will make all our Nuclear reactors obsolete!" it makes Thorium an enemy that must be killed. But if you say "This works with your existing reactor and the spent rods are more easily disposed." Then its a 'friend' of the industry. So making fuel rods with Thorium that are compatible with existing designs is a Big Deal(tm).