Peabody CEO Jim Grech appointed chair of National Coal Council

Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE: BTU) announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Grech has been appointed Chair of the National Coal Council. His appointment was formalized during a meeting at the White House on January 15.

The National Coal Council provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on policy matters relating to coal and the coal industry. The Department of Energy reestablished the council in June 2025 after its charter lapsed in 2021.

"The United States has more coal than any nation has in any one energy source, and coal's importance to U.S. energy security and affordability is enormous," Grech said in a statement. He noted that coal represents potential in areas such as rare earth elements and critical minerals.

According to the press release, U.S. coal-fueled generation rose an estimated 13 percent in 2025, driven by extended coal plant lives and rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence and data centers. The company cited International Energy Agency data showing global coal demand reached 8.8 billion tonnes in 2025.

Grech joined Peabody in 2021 as President and Chief Executive Officer and has over 35 years of experience in the coal and natural resources industry. He serves on boards including America's Power and the National Mining Association.

Founded in the 1880s, Peabody operates eight thermal coal mines and one metallurgical coal mine in the United States, as well as five metallurgical coal mines and two seaborne thermal coal mines in Australia. The company's North Antelope Rochelle Mine in Wyoming's Powder River Basin produces 12 percent of U.S. coal.

You May Also Be Interested In

• W.O. Grubb names Ted Redmond CEO amid leadership expansion
• Expion Energy names Robert Winspear as new CFO
• Dolby names Marc Whitten CEO as Kevin Yeaman retires