Press Releases

Peabody Energy has named Lars W. Scott director of government affairs, reporting to Executive Vice President of Legal and External Affairs Fredrick D. Palmer.

The position will be responsible for legislative, executive and regulatory liaison activities to ensure full utilization of the nation's abundant coal resources. John M. Wootten, who retired last year after more than 20 years with Peabody, previously had responsibility for government affairs in his role as vice president -- environment and technology.

Wootten helped lead Peabody and industry efforts to improve the environment by encouraging development and utilization of clean coal technologies. He facilitated industry initiatives to create the next generation of clean coal-fueled power plants and supported industry and government efforts to develop a power plant of the future that would have near-zero emissions. He continues to support Peabody in a consulting role.

Scott joined Peabody in 1997 as a management associate and has had assignments in the business development, mining decision support, market development and generation development groups at Peabody. He has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in civil engineering from Kansas State University in Manhattan and an MBA in finance from Indiana University in Bloomington. He is a registered professional engineer.

Peabody Energy is the world's largest private-sector coal company, with 2002 sales of 198 million tons of coal and $2.7 billion in revenues. Its coal products fuel more than 9 percent of all U.S. electricity generation and more than 2 percent of worldwide electricity generation.

CONTACT: Vic Svec of Peabody Energy, +1-314-342-7768

SOURCE: Peabody Energy