Mr. Hulett, the lobbyist, said neither he nor Peabody Coal did anything wrong.

Bear Run is being developed by Peabody Coal and is expected to produce more than 8 millions tons annually.

Energy Group owns Peabody Coal, a huge coal producer.

Indeed, Pacificorp may decide to make an offer for Peabody Coal, the chief reason the company sought to acquire Energy Group.

Peabody Coal said it would cooperate in a broad Federal inquiry into scientific fraud in the nation's coal mines.

The mining is being undertaken by Peabody Coal, a subsidiary of Hanson plc.

Companies Peabody Coal received a bid from Amax, which wants to buy all of the coal company for $1.25 billion.

"Peabody Coal is now available for anyone who wants to buy the company," Mr. Hill said.

That was when Peabody Coal was hauling out twenty thousand short tons a day.

The United Mine Workers conducted a nationwide strike against Peabody Coal in 1993.