Thorium could be used to fuel power plants. It creates a very small amount of waste and the waste can’t be used for weaponry like the waste from uranium fueled power plants. And the wastes life is a couple of hundred years instead of a couple of thousand like others.

Uranium was chosen in the 60’s by the US because the plutonium produced could be used in weapons. The Soviet Union influenced this because of their nuclear capability.

There are a number of countries and companies looking into using Thorium.

Wired Thorium Story