S&P Report: Man-Made Earthquakes Are Bad for Credit

The credit rating agency Standard & Poor's released a report that raises the threat level on the trend of earthquakes in areas around Oklahoma and Texas.

1 minute read

August 11, 2015, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Robert Wilonsky reports that Standard & Poor's is concerned about the implications of the growing frequency and strength of earthquakes in Texas and Oklahoma, believed by many to be a result of the oil extraction method known as fracking.

According to Wilonsky, "[l]ast week the S&P published an analysis titled 'How Fracking And Earthquakes Could Open Fissures In Credit Quality.' That’s a fairly to-the-point title. The piece was co-authored by Dallas-based analyst Andrew Foster, and is the S&P’s first-ever look at how gas and oil drilling are — pardon, could be — impacting the both the nation’s 'physical backdrop' and “credit trends across the country.'"

Another frank statement from the report, as quoted in the article, explains that the "earthquake trend…will continue to have sharp economic consequences for home and business owners, mortgage lenders, insurance companies, and investors exposed to real estate in earthquake affected areas."

The rest of the article goes into detail about the ongoing research into the cause and risks of the spate of earthquakes in Texas, Oklahoma, and other areas with fracking operations. 

Tuesday, August 11, 2015 in The Dallas Morning News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Aerial view of Camden Station train station in Baltimore, Maryland. Train station is brick neoclassical building with three-tier tower.

Maryland Awards $1.25M in TOD-Related Grants

The state’s DOT is funding projects that prepare sites around transit stations for future mixed-use development and housing.

6 seconds ago - The Baltimore Banner

Aerial view of purple MBTA commuter train at station in Lynn, Massachusetts.

Judge Rules in Favor of Massachusetts TOD Law

The court rejected an argument that the MBTA Communities law, which requires zoning for multifamily housing, is an “unfunded mandate.”

1 hour ago - CommonWealth Beacon

Bike Parking Utrecht Centraal Station

Supporting Cycling Takes More Than Just Bike Lanes

Safe, protected bike lanes are a key part of a city’s bike infrastructure — but secure parking, e-bike charging, and other amenities can also influence people’s shift to cycling.

June 11 - Cities Today