Cloud Peak Energy, trading over the counter under the symbol CLDPQ, was a major producer of low‐sulfur subbituminous coal in the United States. The company’s coal was primarily used for electric power generation by utilities seeking compliance with environmental standards, and in certain instances for industrial applications such as cement manufacturing and metallurgical processes. Cloud Peak Energy emphasized operational efficiency and environmental stewardship, positioning its product as a cost‐competitive fuel with relatively low emissions of sulfur dioxide and mercury.
Formed in 2009 as a spin‐off from global mining firm Rio Tinto, Cloud Peak Energy was headquartered in Gillette, Wyoming. Its principal operations included the Cordero Rojo and Antelope mines in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and the Spring Creek mine in southeastern Montana. Together, these mines ranked among the largest single‐site thermal coal producers in North America, benefiting from a high‐yield, low‐ash resource that supported both domestic power markets and selective exports to Asia and Europe.
Throughout its history, Cloud Peak Energy served a diversified roster of electric utilities and industrial customers, leveraging long‐term supply contracts to underpin its production volumes. The company’s transportation logistics centered on U.S. rail networks and intermodal facilities, ensuring access to coastal export terminals and key Midwestern power hubs. Cloud Peak also maintained a focus on community engagement and reclamation efforts, committing to land restoration and local workforce development in its mining regions.
Leadership at Cloud Peak Energy during its operating years included chief executive officer Colin Marshall and chief financial officer Ron D’Orazio, supported by an independent board of directors with extensive experience in mining and energy markets. In May 2019, the company initiated voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings to restructure its balance sheet and address industry headwinds. As part of the reorganization, Cloud Peak’s assets were transitioned to a liquidating trust overseen by appointed fiduciaries, marking a shift from active coal production to structured wind-down and asset disposition activities.
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