LFTR's have the potential to revolutionize the generation of electricity.
They are inherently safe, loss of power will result the liquid reactant flowing into a sub-critical mass.
The current level of mining required to support electical generation would be drastically reduced. One ton of thorium burned in a LFTR provides as much energy as 2 million tons of coal.
Thorium is twice as plentiful as uranium and is more completely burned in a LFTR. This provides a virtually unlimited source of energy.
LFTR's would use gas trubines to generate electricity. This would mean more efficient and smaller plants that existing steam nuclear and coal plants.
A demonstration project (with TVA?), with a suitable size reactor, will enable private industry to fully commercialize the technology.