ACCCE president, CEO to step down at year's end

After serving as president and CEO for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) for more than four years, Mike Duncan said recently that he will step down from the company’s top position at the end of the year.
On Jan. 1, 2017, Paul Bailey, senior vice president of federal affairs and policy, will become the new president and CEO.
“With a new administration and a new Congress in 2017, I think it is a good time for ACCCE to move forward with new leadership,” Duncan said. “I’m proud of what we have accomplished over the past four years and look forward to taking on new challenges.”
Duncan is credited with creating a more collaborative organization within ACCCE and bringing on supporters consisting of national and state-based groups. During his four-year tenure, Duncan helped pull the company through many difficulties faced by the coal-based electricity industry.
“We are grateful for the steady leadership Mike provided,” Joe Craft, chairman of ACCCE and president and CEO of Alliance Resource Partners LP, said. “Mike leaves big shoes to fill, but we respect his decision and appreciate his assistance in transitioning to new leadership.”
In addition, ACCCE is credited with pushing through legislation to aid states in avoiding overreaching EPA regulations and collaborated with a number of litigants to challenge EPA’s Clean Power Plan. The challenges brought on by several different states, ACCCE and other organizations resulted in the Supreme Court’s unprecedented stay of the Clean Power Plan earlier this year.
“Mike, facing some extraordinary challenges, led with distinction over the past four years,” Matt Rose, immediate past chairman of ACCCE and executive chairman of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. “He saw to it that ACCCE remained extremely effective and achieved significant victories in the courts and in the states. It was a pleasure to work with him, and I know he will continue to be a strong voice and strategist for coal-based electricity.”
Bailey joined ACCCE in 2009.
“Paul is an incredibly valuable ACCCE team member and a powerful advocate for coal-based electricity,” Craft said. “We are glad that he has accepted this new role and are confident ACCCE will continue to be an effective voice for our industries under his leadership.”
Bailey said he's ready to pick up the torch and run with it.
“I am excited to continue developing thoughtful policy positions for coal-based electricity and build on the collaborative network Mike established,” Bailey said. “I look forward to leading ACCCE and to continue advocating for the low-cost and reliable electricity that coal provides to households and businesses throughout our nation.”