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PITTSBURGH, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX) received the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining(OSM) national award for "Excellence in Surface Mining" for reclamation work performed at its Consolidation Coal Company Burning Star 5 Mine in Illinois. Approximately 3,200 acres of land that previously contained wetlands and prime farmland were reclaimed. The highlight of this reclamation project was the restoration of more than 148 acres into wetlands. Also approximately 1,400 acres of cropland were reestablished to provide feeding areas for resident and migratory waterfowl.

The establishment of the wetlands provides habitat for an abundance of geese, ducks and other waterfowl. In a goose census program conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 58,000 geese were counted at the Burning Star 5 wetlands area prior to completion of reclamation efforts there. In addition, the site provides diverse habitat for fish, as well as upland game such as deer, quail, turkey, and rabbits. Also, eagles have been sighted regularly at the site.

The award was presented at a dinner in Washington, D.C. last night. "We are proud of the work accomplished by our Burning Star employees," said J. Brett Harvey, president and chief executive officer of CONSOL Energy. "This reclaimed site, with its open cropland, provides feeding areas for wildlife and significant yields from crops of corn and soybeans."

Harvey also complimented state and federal officials. "This project reflects a high level of cooperation among the regulatory groups and CONSOL Energy. The result was an innovative return of this land to productive use after its vital energy resource was extracted."

Burning Star 5 operated in Jackson County, Illinois, from 1975-1989. Coal production ended in December 1989. Burning Star 5 produced about two million tons per year and employed more than 200 people at the height of its productive life.

The Excellence in Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation awards program began in 1986 to recognize outstanding coal mine reclamation and to highlight exemplary reclamation techniques. Last year, CONSOL Energy received an "Excellence in Surface Mining Award" for a project completed at its Burning Star 4 mine. In that project, two major streams were diverted during mining and then restored to their original locations, a first in Illinois mining.

CONSOL Energy Inc. is the largest producer of high-Btu bituminous coal in the United States, and the largest exporter of U.S. coal. CONSOL Energy has 20 bituminous coal mining complexes in seven states and in Australia. In addition, the company is one of the largest U.S. producers of coalbed methane, with daily gas production of approximately 135 million cubic feet. The company also produces electricity from coalbed methane at a joint-venture generating facility in Virginia. CONSOL Energy has annual revenues of $2.2 billion. It received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2002 Climate protection Award, and received the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining National Award for Excellence in Surface Mining for the company's innovative reclamation practices in southern Illinois in 2002 and 2003. Additional information about the company can be found at its web site: www.consolenergy.com.

Forward-looking statements: CONSOL Energy is including the following cautionary statement to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of CONSOL Energy. With the exception of historical matters, any matters discussed are forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Exchange Act) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include, but are not limited to, the following: the success or failure of CONSOL Energy's efforts to implement its business strategy; reliance on major customers and long-term contracts; the effects of market demand and price on performance; the ability to renew coal and gas sales agreements upon expiration; the price of coal and gas sold under any new sales agreements; fluctuating sales prices; contract penalties; actions of CONSOL Energy's competitors and CONSOL Energy's ability to respond to such actions; risks inherent in mining and gas production including geological conditions, mine and gas operations accidents; weather-related factors; results of litigation; the effects of government regulation; the risk of work stoppages; the risk of transportation disruptions that could impair CONSOL Energy's ability to sell coal and gas; management's ability to correctly estimate and accrue for contingent liabilities; and CONSOL Energy's ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and to successfully finance, consummate the acquisition of, and integrate these candidates as part of its acquisition strategy.

Source: CONSOL Energy Archives "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding CONSOL Energy's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.