Bank of America announced today it is partnering with NativeEnergy and Birdseye Renewable Energy to further expand its renewable energy commitment by supporting its South Carolina operations with offsite solar energy

BPartnership Supports New Solar Generation to Cover Bank of America South Carolina Operations Load and Helps to Finance New Solar Projects in Local Communities

COLUMBIA – Bank of America announced today it is partnering with NativeEnergy and Birdseye Renewable Energy to further expand its renewable energy commitment by supporting its South Carolina operations with offsite solar energy.

Through three separate 10-year renewable energy agreements, the company helps to bring more solar power to the energy grid in four South Carolina low- and moderate-income communities.

By the bank providing financial support for the projects through the purchase of the project-related renewable energy certificates (RECs), the Yemassee, Denmark, Blackville, and Dillon communities gain additional clean energy on the grid, and these efforts support jobs and the local economy. These efforts also build on Bank of America’s commitment to reduce its operational impacts on the environment, including being carbon neutral and utilizing 100% renewable electricity across its global operations.

“We are so proud to be a leader globally in our renewable energy commitment and to bring the benefits of that global commitment to the citizens of South Carolina,” said Kim Wilkerson, Bank of America’s South Carolina State President. Additionally, all four projects encompass strong biodiversity commitments.

NativeEnergy supports Yemassee, Denmark and Blackville

NativeEnergy represents three of the projects, which are located in the Yemassee, Denmark, and Blackville communities and built by a local developer. These projects are expected to be completed by the year-end.

·Yemassee will host a 10 MWAC facility, with over 35,000 solar panels on 126 acres.

·Denmark will host a 6 MWAC facility, with over 20,000 solar panels on 45 acres.

·Blackville will host a 7.2 MWAC facility, with over 25,000 solar panels on 60 acres.

“NativeEnergy believes that carbon reduction and renewable energy investments should drive new projects and create positive community impacts. That is why we are proud to partner with Bank of America on the development of three new, community-scale solar projects. Its approach to this program is creating multiple benefits at the community level,” said John Ringer, client strategy manager, NativeEnergy.

Each project has a unique feature ‒ pollinator habitats with vegetation and plantings to support local biodiversity and agriculture. Other benefits of these pollinator habitats include:

·Increased habitat for endangered and non-endangered pollinator species.

·Critical habitat creation along with pollinator migratory routes/corridors.

·Increased habitat and forage for other non-pollinator-species.

·Reduced erosion and improved water quality.

·Potential for improved pollination of regional agricultural crops.

Birdseye Renewable Energy supports Dillon, S.C.

Birdseye Renewable Energy is the developer of the Dillon, South Carolina project, which includes 75 acres and over 30,000 solar panels with 10 MWAC of renewable energy. The REC agreement is for 10 years, and the project will be completed in mid-to-late 2021.

“Birdseye is extremely excited to collaborate with Bank of America and Dillon County to bring a green investment to this community and supply renewable, emission-free electricity to the Pee Dee region,” said Brian Bednar, CEO, Birdseye Renewable Energy. “The facility will boost the local economy by adding to the property tax base and creating modern construction jobs in this high-growth energy sector. This solar project would not be possible without Bank of America’s strong commitment to clean energy investment in South Carolina, and we look forward to bringing the facility online.”

The project also includes a strong biodiversity commitment. In addition to the installation of pollinator habitat, the location will have permeable fencing for small mammal access to an array area as a habitat and forage resource. There will be a low-growing clover mix in the solar array beneath the panels and taller plant species in designated areas outside the array to support local pollinator populations. All of these efforts will help maintain a sustainable ecosystem and environment in this community.

NativeEnergy

From renewable energy projects in the communities you call home, to high impact carbon projects that strengthen your supply chains, since 2000, NativeEnergy has been helping some of the world’s biggest and best-loved companies. We work with organizations to build on-the-ground solutions to sustainability challenges and implement community-scale projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen businesses, and contribute to progress around the world. Learn more at www.nativeenergy.com and connect with us on Twitter (@NativeEnergy)

Birdseye Renewable Energy

Birdseye Renewable Energy is an energy development company that delivers our clients’ high-quality renewable energy projects across the southeastern United States. We specialize in utility-scale solar facilities. We identify prospective sites and markets, navigate regulatory frameworks, fully diligence and de-risk our projects, secure purchasers of power, and drive our projects to completion with a team of leading engineering and construction firms. To date, Birdseye Renewable Energy has developed over 430 megawatts of operational solar assets. These 42 projects represent a total investment of over $720M and cover over 2,400 acres. Birdseye continues to grow a pipeline of utility-scale projects in excess of 2 gigawatts across a wide range of state and utility markets.

Bank of America

At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer, and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).