Natural Gas Is Cheap; Green Power Isn't

Project engineer Stephen Eley surveys the exhaust duct of the gas turbine at unit one of the Pacific Gas and Electric Colusa Generating Station in Maxwell, Calif. — Project engineer Stephen Eley surveys the exhaust duct of the gas turbine at unit one of the Pacific Gas and Electric Colusa Generating Station in Maxwell, Calif.Photograph by Ken James/Bloomberg

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By Evan Applegate

March 7, 2013 at 11:06 PM UTC

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This article is part of the March 11, 2013 issue of businessweek.

Generating electricity for a home with power created from waves would cost $500 per megawatt hour. Natural gas and coal are relative bargains.

Natural Gas Is Cheap; Green Power Isn't