Biden buried gov't study on US gas exports that cut against climate goals, officials say

Fox News - Mar 19th, 2025
Open on Fox News

The Biden administration reportedly delayed releasing a critical report on U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, which found no significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions or consumer energy prices. The report, completed by September 2023, was previewed by Fox News but withheld from the public and Congress until after the 2024 presidential election. The findings contradicted public claims by the administration that LNG exports would harm the environment and raise prices, leading to criticism from Republicans and industry groups.

The report's delay comes amid political pressure from progressive Democrats urging Biden to curb LNG exports, which surged during his presidency in response to European demand following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This issue highlights tensions within the Democratic Party and raises questions about transparency and the administration's energy policies. The eventual release of data in December 2024, suggesting potential price hikes, further fueled controversy and dissatisfaction with Biden's temporary halt on new LNG export terminals.

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RATING

5.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The Fox News article presents a timely and relevant topic concerning energy policy and government transparency, focusing on the alleged delay of a draft report on LNG exports by the Biden administration. While the article is clear and engages readers interested in political and environmental issues, it lacks balance and transparency. The reliance on unnamed sources and the absence of independent verification of key claims weaken the overall accuracy and source quality. The story has a high potential for controversy due to its politically charged content and the lack of diverse viewpoints. To enhance its credibility and impact, the article would benefit from more balanced perspectives and transparent sourcing. Despite these shortcomings, the topic's significance in public interest and ongoing debates ensures its relevance and engagement potential.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents several claims that require verification, such as the Biden administration's alleged delay in releasing a draft report on LNG exports and the report's findings that contradict later studies. The accuracy of these claims depends on the existence and content of the draft report, which Fox News claims to have reviewed. However, the story relies heavily on statements from unnamed Trump administration officials, and there is a lack of independent confirmation of the report's contents or the motivations behind its delayed release. The story accurately reports on the U.S. becoming the largest energy exporter and the context of increased LNG exports to Europe due to geopolitical tensions, which are supported by external data. The accuracy of claims about the impact of LNG exports on greenhouse gas emissions and consumer prices is contested, with conflicting reports suggesting different outcomes.

5
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of Trump administration officials and critiques the Biden administration's handling of the LNG export report. There is a noticeable lack of representation from the Biden administration or independent experts, which creates an imbalance in the narrative. The story does not include responses or counterarguments from those accused of delaying the report, nor does it provide alternative viewpoints on the implications of LNG exports. This lack of balance can lead readers to perceive the story as biased towards one political perspective.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of the main claims and narrative. It provides a coherent account of the alleged delay in releasing the LNG export report and the implications for the Biden administration. However, the reliance on unnamed sources and the lack of detailed context for some claims can lead to confusion for readers seeking to understand the full scope of the issue. The language is straightforward, but the absence of balanced viewpoints can affect the overall clarity of the story.

4
Source quality

The story relies heavily on unnamed Trump administration officials as sources, which raises concerns about the credibility and reliability of the information provided. While Fox News claims to have independently reviewed the draft report, the lack of named sources or additional corroborating evidence weakens the overall source quality. The article does not reference any independent experts or third-party analyses to support its claims, limiting the depth and authority of the reporting.

5
Transparency

The article does not provide sufficient transparency regarding the methodology used to verify the draft report's findings or the motivations behind the Biden administration's alleged delay. There is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest from the sources, nor is there an explanation of how Fox News obtained and reviewed the draft report. The lack of transparency in these areas makes it difficult for readers to fully understand the basis of the claims made in the article.

Sources

  1. https://www.axios.com/2024/12/17/energy-department-finds-gas-exports-harm-climate-raise-prices
  2. https://grist.org/economics/biden-administration-warns-natural-gas-expansion-would-drive-up-domestic-costs/
  3. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-buried-govt-study-us-gas-exports-cut-against-climate-goals-officials-say
  4. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wrong-headed-energy-industry-leaders-blast-biden-admin-report-natural-gas-exports
  5. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/17/biden-gas-export-trump-00194824