Salina, UT (Feb 13, 2007) - "Some 147 classroom teachers in Carbon, Emery, Sanpete and Sevier counties were nominated for 2007 Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards," according to Ken May, general manager of Arch's Sufco mine.

"This is a fantastic response for our program's first year in Utah," said May. "It indicates that our communities are aware of the high quality of classroom teachers we have in this area and that our citizens appreciate the teachers' dedication to teaching excellence. The number of unique nominations is impressive, especially when you consider that several teachers were nominated multiple times."

Each of the nominated teachers received an application packet that must be completed and submitted by March 12, 2007 to be eligible for a $2,500 personal, cash award from the Arch Coal Foundation, which underwrites the awards. The foundation will make five awards in the four-county area. The awards are expected to be made near the end of the school year.

"Judging of the applications is done by a panel of the teachers' peers – other teachers," said May. "Teachers can best judge the abilities of other teachers, we believe, and will be very demanding when they review their colleagues' applications, requiring adherence to high standards, rules of the program, as well as grammar, spelling, content and the like.

"I want to especially thank the Governor and his office, as well as the many organizations and companies that have supported the program in its first year," said May. "Without their support, we could not have achieved such an outstanding response."

The program has been supported by the Office of Governor Huntsman, Utah State Office of Education, Utah Education Association, Utah School Superintendents Association, Carbon County School District, Emery County School District, Sevier County School District, North Sanpete School District, South Sanpete School District, Far West Bank, Market Express, KUSA FM/ KASL AM, and both TacoTime and Bookcliff Sales in Price.

Arch Coal is Utah's largest coal producer and a large, state employer with a combined workforce of approximately 800 from its Dugout Canyon, Sufco and Skyline mines. Through all its operations, Arch Coal, Inc. is the nation's second largest coal producer. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACI) and maintains its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.