WASHINGTON – The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity announced the election ofJoseph Craft III, president and CEO and director of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., as its next chairman.Michael Ward, chairman and CEO of CSX, was elected vice chairman.
“As the heads of organizations dedicated to the assurance of reliable access to affordable energy, Mr. Craft and Mr. Ward bring tremendous experience and leadership to ACCCE at a critical time for industry,” said Mike Duncan, president and CEO of ACCCE. “We look forward to working together to overturn EPA’s power plan and to assure affordable coal-based electricity for decades to come.”


Amidst a slew of policy decisions determined through executive action, ACCCE has led the fight against President Obama’s costly climate agenda. Buttressed by the findings in a new report from NERA Economic Consulting, ACCCE is actively engaging Americans nationwide and their representatives to ensure reliable, cost-effective energy solutions.

Craft has more than 30 years of experience in the coal industry, having served as president, CEO and director of ARLP since 1999. Prior to joining ARLP, Craft was president of MAPCO Coal Inc. since 1986. During that period, he was also senior vice president of MAPCO Inc. and was previously that company’s general counsel and CFO. He is a former chairman of the National Coal Council, a board member of the National Mining Association and a director of ACCCE. He has been a director of BOK Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: BOKF) since April 2007.

Matthew Rose, executive chairman of BNSF Railway, will step down as ACCCE chairman of the board following his tenure in 2015.

ACCCE is a coalition of leading companies from the transportation, electricity generation and coal production sectors, as well as other manufacturers and vendors.