Just imagine the high paying jobs it would create.
As you pointed out, we no longer have the industrial capability to build a nuclear power plant in this country. Although if we decided to build several hundred nuclear power plants, it wouldn't take long to acquire the 200,000 ton presses to build the pressure vessels. That would be a massive shot in the arm for the US steel industry. Many thousands of high paying job would be created in that sector alone. The trickle down effect for a wide assortment of businesses would be staggering. Then there's the benefit of having a super reliable, safe, and independent power grid.