Jim Grech, President and Chief Executive Officer of Peabody Energy, was formally appointed Chair of the National Coal Council on January 15 2026 during a meeting at the White House. The appointment places Peabody in a leading advisory role to the Secretary of Energy on coal‑related policy matters.
The National Coal Council, a federal advisory committee that provides guidance to the Secretary of Energy, had its charter lapse in 2021. The Department of Energy re‑established the council in June 2025, and Grech’s chairmanship signals a renewed focus on coal policy from the administration. The council’s influence extends to federal royalty rates, permitting, and regulatory reviews that directly affect Peabody’s operations.
The article’s earlier claim that the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is a direct pro‑coal initiative is inaccurate. Signed into law on July 4 2025, the act primarily extends and modifies tax provisions, including permanent individual tax cuts from 2017, a higher SALT deduction cap, and new deductions for tips, overtime, and auto loans. While the act reduces the federal royalty rate for coal from 12.5 % to 7 %—a 5.5‑percentage‑point drop—it does not contain targeted coal‑policy measures. The reduction is an indirect benefit that lowers production costs for coal producers on federal lands.
Peabody’s core business remains its Powder River Basin thermal operations and its expanding metallurgical coal portfolio at the Centurion mine in Australia. The company’s strategic shift toward metallurgical coal aligns with growing global demand for steel production, especially in Asia. The Centurion mine is expected to begin long‑wall production in 2026, positioning Peabody to capture higher‑margin metallurgical coal markets while maintaining its thermal coal base.
In a statement, Grech emphasized that the appointment “strengthens Peabody’s ability to advocate for policies that support U.S. coal production, energy security, and the development of critical minerals from coal resources.” He noted that the council’s work will help shape regulations that affect the company’s federal‑land operations and its broader growth strategy.
The appointment is expected to enhance Peabody’s lobbying power and could help secure favorable policy outcomes, such as continued royalty reductions and streamlined permitting. By chairing the NCC, Peabody gains a direct channel to influence federal coal policy, potentially benefiting its Powder River Basin and Centurion operations and reinforcing its position in both thermal and metallurgical coal markets.
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