Ask HN: Who is funding Thorium/power gen startups?

I emailed my nuclear engineer friend about thorium reactors, if they are being used, etc. This was his response:

"Metal reactors are better, but are different. Eventually they will be used in conjunction with light water reactors, because they use spent LWR fuel as new fuel. The only reason they arent around is that the NRC doesnt have the knowledge/expertise to approve them. Also the usgov is super anal about breeder reactors since technically you can make weapons grade fuel with them, even though its be a nightmare seperating Pu form the rest of the fuel."

The ratio of plutonium needed to seed and convert thorium into fissionable uranium-233 is very high (0.8:1)

http://www.thoriumenergyalliance.com/downloads/TEAC2%20prese...