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Peabody Energy today announced that M. Frances Keeth has been appointed as a member of the company's Board of Directors, effective March 2, 2009.

"Mrs. Keeth brings a wealth of international energy and business experience to our board," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gregory H. Boyce. "As a former senior executive of one of the world's largest energy companies, she will offer valuable additional insight across the entire range of Peabody's business opportunities."

Mrs. Keeth was formerly Executive Vice President of Royal Dutch Shell, plc, and Chief Executive Officer and President of Shell Chemicals Limited, a services company responsible for Royal Dutch Shell's global petrochemical businesses. She also served as Executive Vice President of Customer Fulfillment and Product Business Units for Shell Chemicals Limited and was President and Chief Executive Officer of Shell Chemical LP, a U.S. petrochemical member of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group. She currently serves as a director on the boards of Verizon Communications Inc. and Arrow Electronics Inc.

With the addition of Mrs. Keeth, Peabody's board will number 11. Mrs. Keeth will stand for re-election at the company's 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Peabody Energy is the world's largest private-sector coal company, with 2008 sales of 256 million tons and $6.6 billion in revenues. Its coal products fuel 10 percent of all U.S. electricity generation and 2 percent of worldwide electricity.

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SOURCE: Peabody Energy