China among the countries looking to thorium as new nuclear fuel

Thorium probably does not figure high on most people's list of energy sources. In fact, many may never have heard of it.

Proponents of this slightly radioactive element say it is clean, green and safer than uranium.

Thorium was being looked at by the United States in the 1950s and 60s. According to some observers, however, it was dropped when it was found it could not be weaponized.