Energy Newsroom

Coal and Climate on the Table for BofA in 2013

Release Date: 
Thursday, March 28, 2013

CHARLOTTE—Today, Bank of America announced plans to host its Annual shareholder’s meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 8 amid strong opposition to the bank’s ongoing funding of the coal industry, the leading contributor to climate change pollution in the U.S. While the Charlotte-based bank invests heavily in strategies to bolster its green public image, it remains the top financier of the failing U.S. coal industry.

In response to the announcement, Amanda Starbuck, Director of the Energy and Finance Program at Rainforest Action Network issued the following statement:

Experts Urge Bank of America to Phase Out Coal Investments

Release Date: 
Wednesday, March 20, 2013

For Immediate Release

Study Exposes Human Rights Risks to Banks Tied to Arch Coal

Release Date: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO—A report released today by Rainforest Action Network details risks associated with Arch Coal and its plans to develop a new mountaintop removal coal mine at Blair Mountain in West Virginia.

Rainforest Action Network Supports Appalachian Health Emergency Act

Release Date: 
Wednesday, February 6, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC—Today lawmakers in the US House of Representatives introduced the Appalachian Community Health Emergency Act (ACHE Act, HR 526) to protect Appalachian families and communities from the nation’s most extreme form of coal mining, mountaintop removal.

Selenium Pollution at Coal Mines Could Spell Trouble at Alpha

Release Date: 
Monday, February 4, 2013

Click here for executive summary and to download

SAN FRANCISCO—New research released today in a Coal Risk Update by the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) details how selenium discharges could expose Alpha Natural Resources to financial risks from water contamination at mountaintop removal mines. In 2012, environmental groups filed four separate lawsuits alleging repeated pollution violations at mine outfalls that could cost the company millions.

Community Dialogue to Focus on Banks’ Role in Climate Change

Release Date: 
Wednesday, January 30, 2013

BOSTON–Rainforest Action Network (RAN) will present Banks, Climate Justice and the Green Economy tonight at the Democracy Center in Cambridge at 6:30 p.m. The first of several events planned in the Greater Boston area, the dialogue will focus on banks’ responsibility to address climate impacts stemming from financing fossil fuels like coal. Speakers include social justice advocate and business leader Bob Massie, Harvard divestment activist Alli Welton, and Rabbi Margie Klein of Moishe House Boston, among others.

Activists block entrances at four Bank of America branches in Charlotte

Nine members of environmental activist group Rainforest Action Network are staging a sit-in at four Charlotte Bank of America branches this morning.

Activists block entrances at four Bank of America branches in Charlotte
Charlotte Business Journal
Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Nine protesters arrested at Charlotte-area Bank of America branches

Nine protesters were arrested Tuesday after hitting four Charlotte-area Bank of America branches in an effort to speak out against what they call "the bank's leading role in coal financing."

The protesters were part of Rainforest Action Network's campaign to confront Bank of America.

Nine protesters arrested at Charlotte-area Bank of America branches
WBTV
Tuesday, November 13, 2012

BREAKING: Nine Arrested at Four Bank of America Branches in Coal Protest

Release Date: 
Tuesday, November 13, 2012

CHARLOTTE—Nine people were arrested today in sit-ins at four different Bank of America locations across Charlotte. The activists were part of Rainforest Action Network’s campaign to confront the bank’s leading role in coal financing, which impacts the quality of air in North Carolina and contributes to global climate change pollution.

Among those arrested was Patricia Moore, 75, of Charlotte, a Bank of America family shareholder and grandmother concerned about the impact coal pollution is having on her granddaughter who suffers from chronic asthma.

BREAKING: Four Bank of America Branches Closed in Charlotte Coal Protest

Release Date: 
Tuesday, November 13, 2012

CHARLOTTE—In a sophisticated, peaceful action to pressure the bank to stop funding coal, nine people are risking arrest today at sit-ins at four different Bank of America locations across Charlotte. The activists are a part of Rainforest Action Network’s campaign to confront the bank’s leading role in coal financing, which impacts the quality of air in North Carolina and contributes to global climate change pollution.

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