Press Releases

A flair for innovation, sensitivity to cultural traditions and leadership in creating a global model for sustainable practices has earned Peabody Energy's Vern Pfannenstiel honors as Reclamationist of the Year by the American Society of Mining and Reclamation (ASMR).

Pfannenstiel serves as Reclamation Manager for Environmental Services - West, responsible for research and best practices in restoring mined lands at Peabody's operations in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana and Wyoming, a position he assumed last year. Previously he served as a senior environmental scientist, overseeing a comprehensive reclamation program for tribal lands on Black Mesa in Arizona.

Pfannenstiel's honors come on the heels of worldwide recognition for sustainable practices in Arizona where Peabody received top honors among nearly 100 nations through the Energy Globe Awards in Belgium this spring.

Core to the results are a robust reclamation program that creates up to 20 times more livestock forage than native range, a cultural plant program that restores plants and herbs used by Native Americans for medicine and ceremonies, and a managed grazing program for residents that provides access to productive reclaimed lands under Peabody control.

Seven major awards for stewardship have been earned at Black Mesa in the past decade, thanks to broad collaboration with the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and Peabody's team of environmental experts.

"Vern and our entire worldwide team of environmental experts live the principles of Peabody's mission by returning mined lands to a condition that is equal to or better than before mining occurred," said Robert C. Hammond, Peabody's Group Executive for Southwest Operations. "Vern has always pushed for innovative practices to match cultural needs with economic and environmental goals."

A resident of Flagstaff, Ariz., Pfannenstiel joined Peabody in 1981 as an environmental scientist serving Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. His work transitioned to Arizona in 1986, and he assumed full time responsibility for reclamation and permitting on Black Mesa in 1997. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Range Ecology from Colorado State University.

A number of Peabody environmental scientists and managers have received national recognition as leaders promoting best practices in stewardship. The roster includes: ASMR Reclamationists of the Year Scott Belden, Senior Manager of Reclamation and Environmental Services - West; and Reg Hoff, Manager of Closed Mines in Montana; who were honored in 2004 and 2000, respectively.

Roy Karo, Reclamation Manager for the former Seneca Mine in Colorado; and Bryce West, Midwest Director of Environmental Services, both were honored by U.S. Interior as the 'Best of the Best' for sustainable initiatives they developed in 2006 and 2001, respectively.

Peabody Energy is the world's largest private-sector coal company, with 2006 sales of 248 million tons of coal and $5.3 billion in revenues. Its coal products fuel approximately 10 percent of all U.S. electricity generation and more than 2 percent of worldwide electricity.

  CONTACT:
  Beth Sutton
  (505) 287-2636

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: Peabody Energy