I don't see why it can't be cheap and small eventually.
Fusion could have applications, maybe anutronic fusion could change the paradigm if it was small enough.
What is that worth? 50%? 100% premium over fission which not even the environmentalists can get behind???
With really advanced fission its really hard to see any damage outside the containment boundary.
Fusion still involves gases, even if the excess radioactivity is far lower.
In general to adopt a technology that is 100x more difficult and likely 10-100x more expensive just to get around an absurd irrational fear of nuclear power makes no sense.
And fear is not primary what holds nuclear back. Price is. Arguable fear makes sure no reforms can take place that can lower price. But that link is not direct, more of a long term cultural effect.