Trump considers ordering government analysis on fracking economics: report

President Trump is weighing whether to issue an executive order requiring an economic analysis of fracking, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing unnamed senior administration officials.

Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is a method of extracting oil and gas from rocks. It’s controversial because it has been linked to water contamination.

Trump has been a vocal supporter of fracking and has attempted to make it part of his campaign messaging in states like Pennsylvania where it’s used by industry.

According to the Journal, he’s now considering telling government agencies to analyze the effects of fracking on trade and the economy and what would happen if it was outlawed.

The potential order would also reportedly have the agencies determine what else they can do to bolster fracking.

Sources told the Journal that a decision hasn’t been made on whether to issue it. One official told the paper that a goal of the potential order would be to highlight the impact of fracking, including in swing states.

White House spokesperson Judd Deere in an email declined to “speculate or comment on potential executive action.”

“Since taking office, President Trump has prioritized all forms of domestic energy production which has led to America becoming energy independent,” he added.

Trump has repeatedly sought to use fracking to draw contrast between himself and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, and has falsely claimed that the former vice president wants to ban fracking.

Biden does not support a fracking ban, except for a ban on new permits on publicly owned land. However, his climate plan calls for reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, which would likely require reduced dependence on fossil fuels.