Why are we investing in the most expensive forms of energy?

And ones with enormously negative environmental footprints (even ignoring 'biofuels').  It's simple, Wind and Solar are projects of the state coalition if only because they depend upon it for their survival.  Natural Gas, Oil and Coal?  Not so much.  Follow the power - leaders do nothing that reduces their power.

Facts on the cost of generating electricity (per kilowatt hour):

Natural gas: 3.5-4.5 cents

Coal: 4-5 cents
Hydro: 4 cents
Nuclear: 8 cents
Wind: 7-9 cents
Solar: 15-50 cents

Question: Why as a country are we investing billions of dollars in the most expensive option (solar) and ignoring the cheapest (natural gas), especially when the U.S. is the "Saudi Arabia of natural gas"? 

HT: Warren Smith