Peabody

Ogilvy Government Relations has signed on with St. Louis-based Peabody Energy, which is America’s top coal producer.

The WPP unit will handle legislative and federal activities related to energy activity and the coal industry, including carbon material technology.

Ogilvy’s team includes Moses Mercado, who was a top aide to Congressman Dick Gephardt (D-MO); Con Lass, chief of staff to the director of the Bureau of Land Management; and Chris Giblin, chief of staff to Congressman John Carter (R-TX).

Peabody, which is committed to zero greenhouse emissions by 2050, believes coal is a transitory and reliable power source as the world moves to renewable energy sources to fight climate change.

The company earned $1.3B on $5B in 2022 revenues.

Peabody was in the news on March 29 for a fire that broke out at its Shoal Creek Mine, which is 35 miles west of Birmingham, AL.

The company is working with the Mine Safety and Health Administration on a reentry plan. It says gas monitoring of exhaust air is showing acceptable air quality and atmospheric conditions within the mine.

Shoal Creek Mine employs 419 people. All have been accounted for. The underground mine generated about 800K tons of coal last year for steelmaking.