New York Times: After a decade of no activity, two prototype solar thermal plants were recently opened in the United States, with a capacity that could power several big hotels says New York Times reporter Matthew L. Wald. Another 10 power plants are in advanced planning in California, Arizona and Nevada that could provide as much power as a nuclear reactor while built in one fifth the time. As prices rise for fossil fuels and worries grow about their contribution to global warming, solar thermal plants are being viewed as a renewable power source with huge potential.