<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>c70392eexv23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT 23

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 333-70910) pertaining to the Lee Ranch Coal Company Retirement and
Savings Plan for Hourly Employees of our report dated May 17, 2002, with respect
to the financial statements and schedule of the Lee Ranch Coal Company
Retirement and Savings Plan for Hourly Employees included in this Annual Report
(Form 11-K) for the year ended December 31, 2001.


                                               /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Ernst & Young LLP


St. Louis, Missouri
June 27, 2002


                                                                              12

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>