Cloud Peak Energy Inc. Announces New Independent Director James Voorhees

Cloud Peak Energy Inc. (NYSE:CLD), the third-largest U.S. coal producer
and the only pure-play Powder River Basin (PRB) coal company, today
announced that, effective March  11, 2011,  James S. Voorhees has been
elected to the Cloud Peak Energy Board of Directors and will also serve
as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the
Health, Safety, Environment and Communities Committee of the Board.

Voorhees is a retired mining executive who served as Chief Operating
Officer of Glamis Gold Ltd. from 1999 to 2007. Prior to joining Glamis,
Voorhees held senior management positions with Newmont Mining
Corporation. Voorhees also previously worked in various managerial and
engineering capacities for Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corporation, Western
Mining Corporation and ARCO Coal Company. Voorhees holds a B.S. degree
in Mining Engineering from the University of Nevada and is a registered
professional engineer.

Keith Bailey, Chairman of the Board of Cloud Peak Energy, said, 'We are
very excited to have Jim join our Board. He has extensive industry
experience and a proven record of leadership, and we look forward to his
valuable insights and contributions to our company.?

The company also announced that Director C. Kevin McArthur has provided
notice to the Board of Directors of Cloud Peak Energy that he will not
stand for re-election upon the expiration of his current term at the
company′s 2011 annual stockholders meeting. McArthur joined the Board in
January  2010. McArthur currently serves as president, chief executive
officer and a director of Tahoe Resources Inc., a precious metals
exploration company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:THO).
McArthur has provided his notice to the Board as described above to
allow additional time for his responsibilities with Tahoe Resources.

Bailey said, 'I would like to thank Kevin for his many contributions to
our company and Board during the past year. He has played a critical
role in helping lead Cloud Peak Energy through a successful first year
as a public company. We wish Kevin the very best in his future
endeavors.?

About Cloud Peak Energy?

Cloud Peak Energy Inc. (NYSE:CLD) is headquartered in Wyoming and
is the third-largest U.S. coal producer and the only pure-play Powder
River Basin (PRB) coal company. As one of the safest coal producers in
the nation, Cloud Peak Energy specializes in the production of low
sulfur, subbituminous coal. The company owns and operates three surface
coal mines in the PRB, the lowest cost major coal producing region in
the nation. The Antelope and Cordero Rojo mines are located in Wyoming
and the Spring Creek mine is located near Decker, Montana. With
approximately 1,500 employees, the company is widely recognized for its
exemplary performance in its safety and environmental programs. Cloud
Peak Energy is a sustainable fuel supplier for approximately 4 percent
of the nation′s electricity.

Cloud Peak Energy Inc.

Karla Kimrey, 720-566-2932

Vice
President, Investor Relations