If it's based in the US, how do they rationalize it with the original Torchwood charter? You guys tossed the Brits out before it was founded. I suppose were it to be based in the US, it would be a brand-new branch based on a more global charter. And if it's in the Whoniverse, they would also have to worry about UNIT at some point. The logical alternative would be to put it in Vancouver or Toronto, filming it there. Toronto has found success on CBS as the star city of "Flashpoint", so...
And I agree that putting it on FOX is suicide, with their track record for sci-fi. OTOH, it could be part of RTD's huge plan - do one series in the States KNOWING it would fail, then move it back to the UK anyway. It would have made much more sense putting it on Syfy, but they already have "Sanctuary" which is similar enough in concept.
Mark