U.S. Interior Honors Peabody Energy With Three National Excellence in
Reclamation and Good Neighbor Awards
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Peabody Energy operations in
Wyoming, Indiana and Illinois have been honored for good neighbor practices
and environmental excellence at the U.S. Department of the Interior's
Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards ceremony in Washington,
D.C. The honorees include:
-- The Caballo Mine in Campbell County, Wyo., which earned a National
Award
of Excellence for restoration of streams and wetlands associated with
the North Tisdale Creek, where the operations and environmental team
has
effectively established riparian vegetation, wetland conditions and
regional landscape features on the prairie. These streams and wetlands
are important for wildlife habitat. At Caballo Mine, these restored
lands are twice as productive for livestock grazing than native range.
-- The Viking Mine in Daviess County, Ind., which earned a National Award
of Excellence for restoration of a variety of land uses including
prime
farmland, high-quality woodlands and wildlife habitat. The operations
and environmental team also perfected soil handling techniques that
improve crop yields and reduce erosion, and the reforestation creates
a
natural carbon sink.
-- The Gateway Mine in Randolph County, Ill., which earned a Bronze Good
Neighbor Award for its energy education activities and community
involvement. Gateway employees routinely conduct mine tours,
participate
in annual tree planting activities and contribute to school training
and
educational advancement programs.
"Peabody has a world-class environmental, engineering and operations team,
which is consistently recognized for creating the highest and most enduring
benefits from our land restoration activities," said Peabody Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer Eric Ford. "I applaud our global team
for demonstrating a core value of our mission: to restore lands to a condition
that is equal to or better than before mining occurred."
Each year, an expert panel from U.S. Interior's Office of Surface Mining
evaluates land restoration programs and community activities from operations
around the nation to honor best practices and innovation. Eight awards were
presented in 2009.
This past year, Peabody restored more than 3,700 acres companywide, planted
more than 250,000 trees and recycled more than 19,000 tons of materials while
creating $14 billion in direct and implied economic benefits in communities
around the world.
Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) is the world's largest private-sector coal company,
with 2008 sales of 255 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.
CONTACT:
Meg Gallagher
(314) 342-7963
SOURCE Peabody Energy
Meg Gallagher of Peabody Energy, +1-314-342-7963
