Decker Coal Accepts Buy-Out of Coal Supply Contract

Gillette, WY, January 6, 2010 – Cloud Peak Energy Inc. (NYSE:CLD) announced an agreement that Decker Coal Company, in which Cloud Peak Energy is a 50% partner, has accepted a buy-out offer from an eastern utility company for a coal supply contract originally scheduled through 2012.

The customer’s contract accounted for approximately 30 percent of production for 2010 and the majority of the production for 2011 and 2012.  The arrangement is mutually beneficial to both the utility and the Decker Joint Venture as it allows the utility to avoid purchasing coal it no longer requires, and Decker to pursue more favorable sales opportunities.  Decker Coal Company currently holds no firm sales contracts beyond 2011, but continues to seek market opportunities for the approximately 42 million tons of non-reserve coal held by the Company.

This arrangement provides financial compensation for the remaining tons under this contract and allows the Decker Joint Venture to better manage the ongoing mining operation.  The transaction will be effective and reflected in fiscal year 2009.

Cloud Peak Energy CEO donates first shares of new company to Youth Emergency Services in Gillette

Gillette, Wyoming -  On December 15, Cloud Peak Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CLD) President and Chief Executive Officer, Colin Marshall, presented the Youth Emergency Services, Inc. in Gillette with the first 500 shares of Cloud Peak Energy, Inc. stock. Mr. Marshall made the trade for those first shares in Cloud Peak Energy, Inc., formerly Rio Tinto Energy America, at the beginning of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) for the company on November 20, 2009.  Ownership in the shares was officially transferred during a small ceremony at the Youth Emergency Services (YES) House today.

“I am particularly pleased that the establishment of Cloud Peak Energy, Inc. has given me this opportunity to provide my individual support for the YES House,” stated Mr. Marshall. “It is traditional that the first purchase of stock in an IPO is made personally by the CEO and then donated to a selected organization that is known for their dedication and services. I made the first purchase of 500 shares of Cloud Peak Energy, Inc. stock with the YES House in mind and now I am proud to provide them these shares so they can prosper along with our new company.”

Prior to becoming a publicly traded entity the company supported the efforts and critical services provided to the community by the Youth Emergency Services, Inc.  This contribution of Cloud Peak Energy, Inc. stock to the YES House demonstrates that the new company is dedicated to maintaining the same strong commitments to neighboring communities and the supporting organizations.

GILLETTE, Wyo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 2009--Cloud Peak Energy Inc. (NYSE: CLD) announced today that its subsidiaries Cloud Peak Energy Resources LLC (CPER) and Cloud Peak Energy Finance Corp. have priced an offering of $300 million of senior notes due 2017 with a coupon of 8.25% and $300 million of senior notes due 2019 with a coupon of 8.50%. This offering was done in a Rule 144A and Regulation S offering with registration rights. CLD expects closing to occur on or about November 25, 2009.

The notes will be guaranteed by all of CPER’s existing and future restricted subsidiaries that will guarantee CPER’s debt under CPER’s credit agreement.

The notes will be offered to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933. The notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy such securities nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

GILLETTE, Wyo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cloud Peak Energy Inc. (NYSE:CLD - News) announced today the pricing of its initial public offering of 30,600,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $15.00 per share. The shares will begin trading on Friday, November 20, 2009, on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol, “CLD.” In addition, the underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional 4,590,000 shares to cover over-allotments, if any. Cloud Peak will not retain the proceeds of the offering.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and RBC Capital Markets Corporation are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.