Exhibit 23

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-140218) pertaining to the Peabody Western-UMWA 401(k) Plan of our report dated June 26, 2009, with respect to the financial statements and schedule of Peabody Western-UMWA 401(k) Plan included in this Annual Report (Form 11-K) for the year ended December 31, 2008.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP  

St. Louis, Missouri
June 26, 2009