Press Releases

Peabody Energy today said that its North Antelope Rochelle Mine has shipped its 1 billionth ton of coal to Associated Electric Cooperative Inc.'s New Madrid Generating Station in Missouri on the Union Pacific Railroad where it is making a four-day journey to the Missouri plant. North Antelope Rochelle Mine ships approximately 9.5 million tons of coal annually to Associated Electric generating stations.

The North Antelope Rochelle Mine, located in Campbell County, Wyo., is among the nation's most productive mines based on the latest government data, and last year shipped a record 82.7 million tons of coal ... about 7 percent of all U.S. coal production. The North Antelope Rochelle Mine is operated by Peabody's Powder River Coal, LLC subsidiary.

"North Antelope Rochelle is a safe, productive mine that ships some of the lowest-sulfur coal in America," said Group Vice President of Western Operations Kemal Williamson. "Thanks to the Powder River team on accomplishing this milestone with an important long-term customer, and continuing to operate safely and productively as we meet record U.S. coal demand."

The North Antelope Mine began operating in 1983, with the Rochelle mine beginning production in late 1985. The two mines were combined in 1999. Two concentric loop tracks connect with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads joint trackage.

Peabody Energy is the largest coal company in the Powder River Basin, both on a sales and reserve basis. Peabody is the world's largest private-sector coal company, with 2004 sales of 227 million tons of coal and $3.6 billion in revenues. Its coal products fuel more than 10 percent of all U.S. electricity and 3 percent of worldwide electricity.

  CONTACT:
  Beth Sutton
  (505) 287-2636

  PHOTO AVAILABLE AT WWW.PEABODYENERGY.COM

SOURCE: Peabody Energy