Peabody Energy Honored by Foreign Policy Association for Excellence in Corporate and Social Responsibility

ST. LOUIS, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foreign Policy Association has honored Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) for excellence in global corporate and social responsibility. This honor recognizes the company's world-class safety, environmental and good neighbor practices and global leadership in clean coal solutions.

"Industry leaders should set standards. Peabody takes this responsibility seriously, whether we are operating safe mines, restoring lands, advancing low-carbon and near-zero emissions technologies or donating time or funds," said Peabody Energy President and Chief Commercial Officer Richard A. Navarre, who accepted the award at the association's annual dinner in New York with dignitaries from multiple nations in attendance.

"This honor is especially important to us because it recognizes what Peabody is doing to make communities around the world better, safer, healthier and more prosperous. We do more than conduct philanthropy; we create partnerships to deliver economic growth, energy security and environmental solutions. Social responsibility is core to how we do business."

In 2010, the company achieved record revenues, earnings that rival its best year ever, and the safest year in its history. Peabody also earned more than 30 local, national and international safety, environmental and corporate awards. Among its most notable contributions, Peabody in 2010:

• Achieved a new global safety record of 2.7 incidents per 200,000 hours worked;
• Restored 5,200 acres worldwide into forests, wetlands and farms;
• Injected $16 billion into economies worldwide;
• Ranked on BusinessWeek's list of top 50 best large U.S. companies for 2010 and earned dozens of major honors, including environmental honors from the U.S. and Mongolian governments; and
• Advanced major clean coal and Btu Conversion initiatives in the United States, Australia and Asia.

One of America's leading non-partisan organizations in the field of public education and world affairs, the Foreign Policy Association honors individuals and companies annually for demonstrating exceptional corporate citizenship. Past honorees have led companies such as ENI, Honeywell International, Intel, John Deere & Co, Archer Daniels Midland, Pfizer, Inc. and Societe Generale.

Social responsibility is core to Peabody Energy's mission to be a leading worldwide producer and supplier of sustainable energy solutions, which power economic prosperity and result in a better quality of life.  Peabody Energy is the world's largest private-sector coal company and a global leader in clean coal solutions.  With 2010 sales of 246 million tons and nearly $7 billion in revenues, Peabody fuels 10 percent of U.S. power and 2 percent of worldwide electricity. 

CONTACT:
Meg Gallagher
(314) 342-7963

SOURCE Peabody Energy