Fox Business critiques Newsom's UN clean energy claims amid high California prices
Source: Fox Business · All Fox Business reports
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Summary
The Fox Business segment reviews California Governor Gavin Newsom's United Nations speech touting the state's clean energy achievements, claiming it runs on two-thirds clean energy daily without sacrificing economic growth and calling for ending Trump's presidency. Hosts Dagen McDowell and Brian Brenberg, joined by Daniel Turner of Power of the Future, dispute this as detached from reality, citing high electricity and fuel prices, business and population flight, refinery closures, and declining oil production as evidence of policy failure. The discussion extends to criticism of Bill Gates on AI risks, but centers on California's energy 'success story' as misleading. Sourcing is primarily Turner's analysis and general data references, with no opposing experts; graphics on prices are implied but not detailed.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast accurately highlights real challenges: California's residential electricity prices are among the nation's highest at about 89% above the U.S. average, diesel is the costliest in the country, refining capacity has dropped significantly with closures, oil output has fallen sharply, and the state has lost its lead in Fortune 500 headquarters to Texas. These issues contribute to higher costs and some out-migration. However, viewers miss key context that Newsom's 'two-thirds clean energy' aligns with state data showing 58-67% renewable or carbon-free generation in recent years, with records of 100% clean power for parts of many days, alongside documented GDP growth of roughly 40% (nominal) since 2019 and GHG emissions reductions of over 20% since 2000 amid economic expansion. Framing emphasizes suffering and political ego while downplaying innovation in solar, batteries, and decoupling emissions from growth, potentially skewing perception toward viewing all clean energy policy as inherently costly without nuance on trade-offs or national trends in prices.
Key Moments
California runs on two-thirds clean energy every day
Matches Newsom's UN speech and state data showing ~57-67% renewables or clean (including hydro/nuclear) in generation/sales for 2025-2026 periods.
California pays more than double the national average for electricity
EIA data confirms ~34.74¢/kWh residential vs. 18.34¢ national average (~89% higher) as of mid-2026.
Diesel prices in California are about $2/gallon higher than national average and highest in nation
Recent AAA/EIA figures show CA diesel ~$8.44/gal vs. ~$6.50 national, a ~$1.94 gap, the highest statewide.
Refining capacity down 25% and refineries closing since Newsom governor; oil production fell 40%
Multiple reports confirm ~25% capacity loss, several closures (e.g., Phillips 66, Valero), and oil output drop from ~340k b/d in 2019 to ~250k b/d recently (~25-40%+ decline).
Hundreds of businesses including dozens of Fortune 500 have left California; Silicon Valley moving to TN/TX
CA lost Fortune 500 lead to TX (56 vs 57 in 2026); notable HQs relocated (Chevron, Tesla, Oracle), but state still attracts new firms and remains economic powerhouse with strong GDP growth.
Notable Concerns
- One-sided sourcing from a single anti-renewables advocate without counterbalancing data or experts
- Dismissal of clean energy metrics without explaining their basis in official generation data
- Heavy partisan framing tying policy failures solely to Newsom while ignoring pre-existing trends and external factors like global fuel markets
Sources Consulted
- California Electricity Rates & Metrics
- Electricity Rates by State (June 2026)
- California Electricity Generation by Source — 57.8% Renewable (2026)
- Governor Newsom calls out Trump’s climate failure at the United Nations
- California’s Oil Rush Slips Into Its Final Act
- California loses its Fortune 500 crown to Texas
- Current California GHG Emission Inventory Data
- California’s economy leads again, grows another 5% in 2025
- Diesel Prices by State