Coal Newsroom

JPMorgan Gets an “F” on Mining

In late March, I wrote about how Wall Street powerhouse JPMorgan Chase continues to fund coal companies that engage in mountaintop removal mining (MTR), a dangerous, environmentally devastating type of strip mining in which the peaks of mountains are literally blown off, exposing the seams of coal that run underneath.

Mother Jones
Mother Jones
Thursday, May 13, 2010

JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America Called Out for Financing Mountaintop Removal

Mountaintop removal is one of those instinctively gut-wrenching things--it's never pretty to see natural habitats blown open to make room for coal mining. And yet, many of the biggest banks in the U.S. continue to fund the practice, according to a report from the Rainforest Action Network.

Fast Company
Fast Company
Friday, May 14, 2010

Bank of America Decision to Stop Funding Mountaintop Removal a Victory for Appalachia and Anti-Coal Movement

Release Date: 
Wednesday, December 3, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO - Rainforest Action Network praised Bank of America today for its decision to phase out financing for companies that practice mountaintop removal coal mining, a highly destructive and controversial method of coal extraction. The announcement, part of a new coal policy released on the bank’s website, reads: “We…will phase out financing of companies whose predominant method of extracting coal is through mountain top removal.”

Protestors Tell Citi and Bank of America: "Not With Our Money, End Your Destructive Investments’"

Release Date: 
Saturday, September 27, 2008

CAMBRIDGE, MA - During the lunch rush at Harvard Square today, community groups, activists and students called on Citi and Bank of America to end the risky investment practices that are jeopardizing the homes and savings of American families, and threatening the global climate.

Dept. of Protests: Mountaintop removal edition


Editor's note: Yesterday, activists gathered outside of the EPA's Region III office at 16th and Arch to protest the truly hideous practice called mountaintop removal, in which coal companies literally dynamite mountains to gain easier access to the coal inside. We dispatched intern Emily Currier to the scene; she files this report:

Dept. of Protests: Mountaintop removal edition
Philadelphia City Paper
Tuesday, March 2, 2010

JP Morgan's War on Nature


How the Wall Street darling underwrites environmental Armageddon.

JP Morgan's War on Nature
Mother Jones
Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Rainforest Action Network Statement on EPA’s New Guidance for Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

Release Date: 
Thursday, April 1, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO (April 1, 2010) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today a major new guidance document that provides the coal industry and coal-state regulators with “clarity” regarding the permitting of mountaintop removal coal mining. This comes just days after the EPA blocked the Clean Water Act permit for the Spruce No. 1 Mine in Logan County, the largest mountaintop removal permit in West Virginia history. Following is a statement by Amanda Starbuck of the Rainforest Action Network.

Rainforest Action Network Statement on EPA Veto of Spruce Mine Permit

Release Date: 
Friday, March 26, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO (September 10, 2009) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it intends to block the Clean Water Act permit for the Spruce No. 1 Mine in Logan County, the largest mountaintop removal permit in West Virginia history. Following is a statement by Amanda Starbuck, Rainforest Action Network’s Global Finance Campaign Director.

Activists Risk Arrest with Elaborate Protest at EPA HQ; Demand Immediate Action to Stop Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

Release Date: 
Thursday, March 18, 2010

WASHINGTON- In an attempt to further pressure EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to enforce the Clean Water Act and halt mountaintop removal coal mining (MTR), activists early this morning erected two 20-foot-tall, purple tripod structures in front of the agency's headquarters.

More than 40 Rallied at EPA Today; Asking Agency to End Mountaintop Removal

Release Date: 
Monday, March 1, 2010

PHILADELPHIA— As part of a growing movement against the practice of mountaintop removal coal mining, dozens staged a rally today at Philadelphia’s EPA Region 3 building. Those in attendance were asking the EPA to take immediate action to veto new Mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining permits, which Region 3 is largely responsible for. The participants successfully met with EPA representative, Jeffrey Lapp, and delivered a letter to Shawn Garvin, the EPA’s regional administrator.

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