Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) Announces "Coal Cares" Initiative, New Nationwide
Campaign Against Stigma of Childhood Asthma
ST. LOUIS, May 10, 2011 / PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Peabody Energy today announced the
creation of an innovative new public health initiative designed to combat the stigma of asthma
among American children ages 0-18. With Coal Cares (www.coalcares.org), Peabody
will offer free, custom-branded inhaler actuators to children living within 200 miles of a
coal plant, along with coupons worth $10 towards the purchase of the asthma medication itself.
"Too many young Americans face daily schoolyard taunting
and bullying because of a condition over which they have no control," said Gregory H. Boyce, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Peabody Energy. "By
re-branding the inhaler as a cool, individualized, must-have accessory, Coal Cares will empower
children to tell bullies: ‘suck it up.’"
Children can choose from a
variety of youth-themed inhaler cases, from tween faves like "the Bieber" and "My Little Pony," to the "Emo" and "Diamond"
inhalers for older, style-conscious youth. There’s even "My First Inhaler," for tots.
Coal Cares launches today in commemoration of Asthma Awareness Month, the
Environmental Protection Agency’s effort to call attention to rising asthma rates, especially among children.
Coal Cares and its Puff-Puff line of inhalers is the first, and most ambitious, market-friendly public health initiative of this scope
of any privately-owned American company, and testifies to the energy industry’s commitment to
the well-being of all citizens, including the youngest.
"Our actions are guided by a singular mission: to be a leading worldwide producer and supplier
of balanced energy solutions, which power economic prosperity and well-being," said Boyce. "Coal Cares brings this
mission to life, empowering children everywhere to take control of their destinies, beginning with
their own lungs."
"Coal Cares is emblematic of the return to self-reliance that healthy entrepreneurship demands," said James
Miasmus, Vice President of Government Affairs at Peabody USA. "Costly ‘scrubbing’ technology, on the other hand, is an
untested and heavy-handed intrusion into our still-vulnerable economy. At Peabody, we're
thinking globally but acting locally, and locating preventive
action at the point of consumption, where it belongs."
"Coal Cares isn’t just the name of a campaign," said Kevin Briesslau, Vice President of
Communications at Peabody Coal. "It’s a philosophy, a way of doing business in
harmony with the community we are a part of. After all, coal is the fastest-growing fuel in the world. We're part of America’s heritage, and we’re here to stay."
To learn more about Peabody's Coal Cares initiative, visit: www.coalcares.org.
Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) 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:
Vic Ganey
Phone (314) 472-5539
SOURCE Peabody Energy
