Comment (3) of Stephen Boyd on FR Doc # 2012-28436

The scientifically incorrect classification of thorium as equal to the fissile isotope of uranium (uranium-235 or 235U), under the 1954 Atomic Energy Act is currently having a deleterious impact on American innovation. Private and public ventures in China, India, the Czech Republic, Australia and several other countries are currently exploring the potential merit of using the 100% naturally abundant thorium-232 (232Th) isotope to produce nuclear energy. While not at all a panacea, 232Th (particularly when deployed in a molten-salt reactor) offers several fiscal and practical advantages over the less abundant, fissile 235U: unremarkable chemistry; no enrichment; negligible resultant production of plutonium-239, as well as several other interesting consequences. It would be in the best interest of both the public and private good to review the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR X, where X = 30, 40; 60-110). Given that the U.S. led the research and development into thorium decay streams in particular and molten-salt reactors in general from 1951-1976, it seems appropriate that we at least correct the physics error which has resided in Federal Legislation for almost 60 years. Even more provocative would be to permit public and private efforts to join the research that is currently occurring elsewhere in the world, as a direct result of American minds nearly six decades ago.