StocksMedium•19 October 2026•
1 min read
17 US States Challenge S&P Global and Moody's Over ESG Ratings
Key Facts
1Officials from 17 US states are challenging S&P Global, Moody's, and Fitch over climate-related ESG risk assessments.
2States argue ESG metrics could damage state credit ratings and divert funding from infrastructure and pensions.
3State officials are pressing the SEC to scrutinize the credit rating practices of these agencies.
Officials from 17 US states are challenging S&P Global, Moody's, and Fitch over climate-related ESG risk assessments. Fox Business reported that the states argue these metrics could damage state credit ratings and divert essential funding from infrastructure and pensions. Consequently, state officials are pressing the SEC to scrutinize the credit rating practices of these agencies.
SPGI closed at $429.64 on October 16, 2026, while MCO closed at $485.07 on the same date. The coalition of states believes that ESG-based ratings cause economic damage by unfairly penalizing states reliant on the oil and gas industries, potentially lowering their creditworthiness and increasing the cost of public debt.