I first read about the rare earth problem being a regulatory problem ages ago, long enough ago that every time I've seen another article bemoaning China's monopoly requiring the US government take over mining I had to look it up; yup, it was still regulations blocking processing, not a lack of ore.
But I did not know those details, about thorium, NORM, and the rest. Thank you.
Not to mention that a lot of bright sparks think thorium would make a great fuel for nuclear power reactors, which nicely turns a waste product into an opportunity. Are they right? Beats me. Let's find out.
A big problem is that there’s overlap between regulatory agencies (NRC, EPA, PHMSA/DOT, and state environmental agencies). Both the Obama and Trump I administrations tried to streamline permitting but had limited success.
I first read about the rare earth problem being a regulatory problem ages ago, long enough ago that every time I've seen another article bemoaning China's monopoly requiring the US government take over mining I had to look it up; yup, it was still regulations blocking processing, not a lack of ore.
But I did not know those details, about thorium, NORM, and the rest. Thank you.
Not to mention that a lot of bright sparks think thorium would make a great fuel for nuclear power reactors, which nicely turns a waste product into an opportunity. Are they right? Beats me. Let's find out.
As it happens China - and perhaps India - are already testing that very possibility.
A big problem is that there’s overlap between regulatory agencies (NRC, EPA, PHMSA/DOT, and state environmental agencies). Both the Obama and Trump I administrations tried to streamline permitting but had limited success.