(Washington, D.C. - Feb. 5, 2009) - Patriot Coal Corporation, one of the largest coal mining companies in the United States, has agreed to pay a $6.5 million civil penalty to settle violations of the Clean Water Act, the Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the state of West Virginia announced today.

The settlement includes the third largest penalty ever paid in a federal Clean Water Act case for discharge permit violations. In addition, Patriot has agreed to extensive measures designed to ensure Clean Water Act compliance at its mines in West Virginia. The consent decree includes innovative and ened operating standards which should serve as a model for the coal mining industry in Central Appalachia.

For additional information, contact:

Robert G. Klepp, Attorney
Office of Civil Enforcement
U.S. EPA
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-5805
Robert Klepp (klepp.robert@epa.gov)