CONSOL ENERGY INC
S-1/A, 1999-03-24
BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE MINING
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<PAGE>
 
     
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 1999     
 
                                                      Registration No. 333-68987
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                               ----------------
                                 
                              AMENDMENT NO. 2     
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               ----------------
                               CONSOL ENERGY INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
        Delaware                     1222                    51-0337383
                          (Primary Standard Industrial    (I.R.S. Employer
     (State or other      Classification Code Number)  Identification Number)
     jurisdiction of
    incorporation or           ----------------
      organization)
                               CONSOL ENERGY INC.
                         300 Delaware Avenue, Suite 567
                        Wilmington, Delaware 19801-1622
                           Telephone: (302) 477-1260
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number of Registrant's principal
                               executive offices)
                               ----------------
                             
                          Daniel L. Fassio, Esq.     
                                C/O CONSOL INC.
                       Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road
                         Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241
                           Telephone: (412) 831-4000
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number of agent for service)
                               ----------------
                                   Copies to:
 
       Steven L. Wasserman, Esq.                Richard J. Sandler, Esq.
        Thelen Reid & Priest LLP                 Davis Polk & Wardwell
          40 West 57th Street                     450 Lexington Avenue
        New York, New York 10019                New York, New York 10017
       Telephone: (212) 603-2000               Telephone: (212) 450-4000
                               ----------------
  Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the as
soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.
 
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, please check the following box. [_]
 
  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
 
  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
 
  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
 
  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
   
  The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement
shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission,
acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.     
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may +
+not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the     +
+Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an    +
+offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these  +
+securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.             +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                             Subject to Completion
                              
                           Dated March 24, 1999     
   
Prospectus     
   
22,600,000 Shares     
   
    
   [LOGO]    
Common Stock
   
CONSOL Energy Inc. is offering 22,600,000 shares of its common stock. This is
our initial public offering and no public market currently exists for our
common stock. We estimate that the initial public offering price will be
between $18 and $21 per share.     
   
We have been authorized to list the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol "CNX" subject to official notice of issuance.     
   
Investing in the common stock involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on
page 9.     
   
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.     
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

           Price to Underwriting Proceeds to
           Public   Discounts    CONSOL Energy
- ----------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>      <C>          <C>
Per Share  $        $            $
- ----------------------------------------------
Total      $        $            $
- ----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>    
   
CONSOL Energy has granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an
additional 3,390,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments.     
                                                              
J.P. Morgan & Co.                                   Merrill Lynch & Co.     
 
      , 1999
<PAGE>
 
                Graphics Appearing On Front Cover of Prospectus

                                        The following eight color        
                                        photographs appear              
                                        along the right-hand             
                                        margin of the front cover page   
                                        of the prospectus:               
                                                                         
                                        A coal combustion tester         
                                                                         
                                        CONSOL Energy's Baltimore        
                                        terminal                         
                                                                         
                                        The shearer of longwall          
                                        mining system                     
                                                                         
                                        Clean coal storage silos of      
                                        CONSOL Energy's Bailey mine      
                                                                         
                                        A group of CONSOL Energy         
                                        mine geologists                  
                                                                         
                                        Loaded coal barges               
                                                                         
                                        CONSOL Energy employees          
                                        underground with roof            
                                        bolting machine                  
                                                                         
                                        A coal-fired power plant         
                                        along the Monongahela River       


<PAGE>
 
                    Graphics on the Inside Front Cover Page


The inside front cover page of the prospectus is a gatefold. The facing page
contains a color illustration of underground mining operations. The gatefold
open up to reveal a map showing the location of CONSOL Energy's mines, coal-
fired power plants, navigable waterways and major railroads in the eastern
United States. The following four color photographs appear on the left-hand
margin of the map:

The shearer of a longwall mining system

Loaded coal cars at the Hampton Roads port

Loaded coal barges

A coal-fired power plant located on the
Monongahela River

<PAGE>
 
                                
                             Table of Contents     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                     Page
<S>                                  <C>
Prospectus Summary.................    1
Risk Factors.......................    9
Use of Proceeds....................   17
Dividend Policy....................   17
Capitalization.....................   18
Selected Consolidated Financial and
 Operating Data....................   19
Management's Discussion and
 Analysis of Results of Operations
 and Financial Condition...........   21
Coal Industry Overview.............   31
Business...........................   40
Regulation.........................   57
</TABLE>    
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Page
<S>                                                                    <C>
Management............................................................  63
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions..................  71
Principal Stockholders................................................  73
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......................................  74
Description of Capital Stock..........................................  75
Tax Considerations....................................................  78
Underwriting..........................................................  81
Legal Matters.........................................................  83
Experts...............................................................  83
Glossary..............................................................  84
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements............................ F-1
</TABLE>    
 
                               ----------------
 
In deciding whether to buy our common stock, you should rely only on the
information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to
provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus.
We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of common stock only
in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information
contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this
prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any
sale of the common stock.
 
Until       , 1999, all dealers that buy, sell or trade common stock, whether
or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus.
This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when
acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or
subscriptions.
<PAGE>
 
                               
                            Prospectus Summary     
   
This section summarizes information about CONSOL Energy Inc. You should refer
to the more detailed information about us contained elsewhere in this
prospectus, including the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related
notes. All references to "tons" are references to short tons. For definitions
of certain coal-related terms, see "Glossary" at page 84. The market data
presented in this prospectus are based upon our management's estimates, using
various third-party sources where available. Unless otherwise indicated, (1)
the information set forth in this prospectus assumes an initial public offering
price of $19.50 per share of common stock and no exercise of the underwriters'
over-allotment option and (2) all share and per share data give effect to an
approximate 1,088-for-one stock split effective on     , 1999.     
 
                                 CONSOL Energy
   
We rank among the largest coal companies in the United States based upon total
revenue, net income and operating cash flow. Our production of 73 million tons
of coal in 1997 accounted for 7% of the total tons produced in the United
States and 12% of the total tons produced in the eastern United States. We
produced 76 million tons of coal during 1998. We are one of America's premier
coal companies by several measures.     
     
  .  We mine more high-Btu bituminous coal than any other U.S. producer.     
 
  .  We are the largest coal producer east of the Mississippi River.
 
  .  We are the largest U.S. producer of coal from underground mines.
 
  .  We export more coal from the United States than any other coal producer
     or trading company.
 
  .  We have the second largest coal reserves among U.S. coal producers.
 
Our consistent financial performance has enabled us to establish a strong
history of cash generation and dividend payments.
 
Principal Markets
   
Coal is an important source of energy for power generators in the United
States. Coal-fired plants currently produce approximately 57% of the country's
electricity. In 1998, we sold 69% of our coal to U.S. electricity generators,
most of which were located east of the Mississippi River. More than two-thirds
of the country's capacity for generating electricity using coal is located east
of the Mississippi River. We can sell coal to these customers at a low
delivered cost because of the following factors.     
 
  .  Our mines are located close to eastern generating plants.
 
  .  Our mines are located on or near the inland waterway system and the
     major coal hauling railroads in the eastern United States. This reduces
     our customers' cost of transporting coal.
 
  .  We are able to use highly productive mining techniques because we have
     favorable geologic conditions for mining.
   
Demand for CONSOL Energy's Coals     
   
We believe that coal will continue to be a valued source of energy and that
demand for coal will continue to grow for the following reasons.     
 
  .  The electric utility industry soon will be deregulated in the United
     States which should increase competition and influence power companies
     to seek the lowest cost fuel for their generating plants. Fuel costs
     represent up to 78% of the variable cost of generating electricity at
     power plants that burn fossil fuels. Coal is the lowest cost fuel
     available to most electricity generators.
     
  .  Electricity demand will grow as the economy grows. According to Resource
     Data International, a coal industry consultant, in the aggregate,
     domestic coal-fired generating plants currently run at 65% capacity
     utilization. The optimal sustainable capacity utilization is 85% for a
     typical plant, although many can run at higher rates for short periods
     of time. Electricity generators that burn coal will seek to     
 
                                       1
<PAGE>

        
     meet increased electricity demand by using the available capacity of
     their existing power plants rather than building new power plants.
     Expanding capacity at existing power plants using coal makes economic
     sense if the price of electricity exceeds variable costs. A new plant,
     on the other hand, would be built only if the price of electricity is
     expected to cover all costs, including capital costs.     
     
  .  A significant portion of the generating plants that use nuclear fuel is
     likely to be retired during the next 15 years because the operating
     licenses for many plants will expire. We believe that it is likely that
     licenses will not be renewed or costly requirements will be imposed as a
     condition to renewal. Although natural gas will replace some of this
     capacity, we believe that coal also will be used to replace retired
     nuclear capacity. Coal producers that have low mining costs and access
     to low-cost transportation should be well positioned to increase their
     share of the market.     
   
The Clean Air Act regulates the emission of sulfur dioxide and oxides of
nitrogen from coal combustion. The sulfur content of fuel creates combustion
emissions which, by law, must be controlled. During the past two decades, air
quality laws have created some market advantages for lower sulfur coals by
imposing restrictions on sulfur-dioxide emissions. These usually require high-
sulfur coal users to switch to lower sulfur coals, install scrubbers or, in
more recent years, to buy pollution allowances.     
 
To the extent that the cost of environmental control technology continues to
decline and environmental regulations tighten, we expect more electricity
generators that use coal to install scrubbers. As scrubbing increases at
existing generating plants, we believe that high- and medium-sulfur coals with
low delivered costs and high-Btu content will become increasingly attractive to
electricity generators because the cost of operating the scrubber is typically
less than 10% of variable costs. We believe that high-Btu content is an
important advantage because it lowers the delivered energy cost of the coal.
Transportation costs are based on tons and not heat content or heat content per
ton. As a result, higher Btu coals can have an inherent transportation cost
advantage, which lowers the delivered cost on a heat content or energy content
basis.
 
We believe that once a scrubber is built, it can offer economic advantages
because of its relatively low operating costs, combined with the lower fuel
costs that higher sulfur, higher Btu coal can offer at many plants. We already
ship 65% of our high-sulfur coal product to scrubbed generating plants. The
retrofitting of additional generating plants with scrubbers would be an
advantage to us because we have large reserves of coal with a high-Btu content.
 
The advantage of retrofitting scrubbers to generating plants should become
apparent as the current bank of sulfur dioxide emission allowances declines and
the more restrictive phase of the Clean Air Act becomes effective in 2000. A
sulfur dioxide emission allowance is an authorization under the Clean Air Act
for a power generating plant to emit one ton of sulfur dioxide. RDI recently
forecast that by 2015 the owners of plants with up to 80,000 megawatts of
existing coal-fired capacity may invest in scrubbers to comply with the new
environmental regulations. The majority of these plants are located east of the
Mississippi River.
 
We believe that we are well positioned to benefit from these developments.
Increased investment in scrubbers may result from the ownership of generating
plants by independent power producers as a result of the deregulation of the
electricity generating industry. For example, in August 1998, Mission Energy
announced its intention to acquire a large generating station in central
Pennsylvania, Homer City, and to install a scrubber and other environmental
control technologies. Mission Energy has stated publicly that its strategy is
to continue to use high-Btu coal from Pennsylvania in order to maintain its
position as a low-cost producer of electricity.
 
Coal Reserves and Mining Operations
   
At December 31, 1998, we had 4.8 billion tons of proved and probable coal
reserves. Our reserves are located in northern Appalachia (54%), central
Appalachia (11%), the midwest (21%) and the western United States and Canada
(14%). Approximately 66% of our coal reserves consist of high-Btu coal, which
is favored by many power generators. Approximately 58% of our coal reserves
consist of high-sulfur coal, 16% of our coal reserves consist of medium-sulfur
coal and 26% consist of low-sulfur coal. In 1998, we produced 31.8 million tons
of high-sulfur steam coal, or 42% of our total production, 32.4 million tons of
medium-sulfur steam coal, or 43% of our total production, and 1.3 million tons
of low-sulfur steam coal, or 2% of our total production. In addition we
produced 10.3 million tons of metallurgical grade coal, or 13% of our total
1998 production. Metallurgical grade coals have medium- to low-sulfur content.
The size, quality and strategic location of our reserves allow for the cost-
effective expansion of many of our existing mines and for new mine development.
    
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
   
We currently have 25 mining complexes. We lead the U.S. coal industry in using
longwall systems. Longwall systems are a mechanized, high-extraction method of
underground mining. We use these systems at 13 of our mines. Mines with
longwall systems accounted for 83% of the coal we mined in 1998. We are able to
expand production at longwall mines at very low incremental cost. Our ability
to source coal from our multiple longwall mines provides us with great
flexibility in meeting customer fuel requirements.     
 
Strategy
   
Our objective is to maintain and enhance our position as one of the premier
coal companies in the United States based on our financial strength, operating
capability and reserve position. We believe that we are well-positioned to grow
faster than the industry by reason of our low-cost structure and strong
financial condition. Our strategy for achieving long-term growth does not
depend on either the construction of new coal combustion facilities or on high
overall growth in coal demand. Instead, we believe that most growth in demand
for coal will come from the expansion and increased use of existing power
generating facilities. We further believe that there will be a growing demand
from electricity generators for high-Btu fuels available at low delivered cost
and that the sulfur content of coal will not be the principal quality
determining coal demand within many markets. Our strategy reflects our belief
that delivered cost and Btu content will be the chief determinants of coal
demand in these markets. Accordingly, we believe that coal produced in the
eastern United States will continue to be an attractive fuel for electricity
producers. Other markets will continue to expand for lower Btu, low-sulfur
coals as well, and we may make acquisitions to participate in those markets.
    
Specifically, we will implement our strategy by:
     
  .  strengthening our core operating position in northern Appalachia by
     continuing to make productivity improvements and by expanding the low-
     cost production capacity of existing mines at low incremental costs;
         
  .  developing new mining complexes in locations with reserves controlled by
     us where price levels or volume demand would generate attractive returns
     and where we can achieve low mining costs;
 
  .  making large-scale acquisitions, both in the United States and abroad,
     that will enable us to bring our mining expertise to coal markets where
     we do not have an existing presence; and
 
  .  making opportunistic acquisitions in our existing markets that will
     enable us to leverage our existing infrastructure and operations. For
     example, we recently acquired the Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company
     and the Vesta coal reserves in southwestern Pennsylvania. These
     acquisitions have strengthened our position in northern Appalachia.
 
Competitive Strengths
 
Strong Financial Performance
We are one of the most profitable coal companies in the United States and have
shown strong net income growth and cash flow generation.
     
  .  Net income has grown since 1994 at a compound annual growth rate of 7%
     and was $175 million in 1998. Growth has been in large measure based on
     the ability to expand production and improve productivity at existing
     mining complexes. However, we expect that first quarter results in 1999
     will be affected adversely by several factors including mild winter
     weather in the eastern United States, low prices for oil and other
     fuels, European market conditions and reduced prices for metallurgical
     coal.     
     
  .  Net cash provided by operating activities has averaged $368 million per
     year since 1994, nearly double capital expenditures, which averaged $190
     million per year for the same period. During the same period, we paid
     $780 million in dividends, including an extraordinary dividend of $380
     million in 1997.     
 
  .  We have investment-grade debt ratings.
 
We believe that our financial strength will enable us to be a major
consolidating force in the coal industry. The top ten coal producers have
increased their share of production from 40% in 1990 to 54% in 1997, primarily
by acquiring other producers.
 
Experience in Acquiring and Integrating Coal Properties
Since 1990, we have acquired and successfully integrated the Rochester &
Pittsburgh Coal Company, Island Creek Coal Company from Occidental Petroleum,
Kentucky Criterion (now called Mill Creek) from Westmoreland
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Coal Company, Greene Hill Coal Company properties from Pennsylvania Power and
Light and the Vesta coal reserves from A.T. Massey Coal Company.
 
Productivity Leadership
We have maintained our strong financial performance despite generally lower
coal prices by increasing productivity and reducing unit costs.
     
  .  From 1994 to 1998, we maintained annual coal production at approximately
     73 million tons while reducing our workforce and the number of our
     mining complexes. Consistent improvement in mine productivity reflects
     investment in capital improvements, including deployment of longwall
     mining systems, expertise in operations and favorable geologic
     conditions.     
     
  .  We achieved a compound annual growth rate in productivity at our
     underground mines, measured in tons per manday, of 8.4% compared with a
     growth rate for the industry for underground mines of 6.5% between 1990
     and 1996, the last year for which industry data is available.
     Productivity at our underground mines increased by 11.4% in 1997 and
     3.5% in 1998. As a result, at underground mines we reduced costs per ton
     of coal mined by 16.6% between 1990 and 1998.     
            
We have 25% of the longwall mining systems in the United States. Because of the
high production levels of these mining systems, we operated seven of the 20
largest mines east of the Mississippi River, measured by tons of coal produced,
in 1997. These mines have high productivity and low variable cost structures.
Our extensive reserve base supports the expansion and life extension of
existing mines. Expansion of production at our longwall mines can be achieved
at low incremental cost because these mines have access to our extensive
reserves and are highly mechanized operations. This is in contrast to many
other producers with higher cost structures and less extensive reserves,
particularly some producers that are dependent on operations in central
Appalachia.     
 
High-Quality, Strategically Located Reserve Base
   
Our northern Appalachian reserves accounted for 54% of our total reserves at
year-end 1998. These reserves are near many coal users in the United States,
particularly generators of electricity, and are served by major coal-
transporting railroads and low-cost river transportation. Mining from these
reserves accounted for 71% of our production in 1998.     
   
Fifty-four percent of our reserve base is ranked as high-Btu and high-sulfur.
The high energy content of our coal benefits customers because they can produce
more electricity per pound of coal than with lower Btu fuels. However, the
sulfur content of coal creates combustion emissions which, by law, must be
controlled. Nevertheless, our high-sulfur coal is competitive because of our
transportation advantage and generally higher Btu content. Further, we believe
as more generating plants are retrofitted with scrubbers, the high-Btu content
of our coals will become more desirable to electricity generators.     
 
Experienced Management Team
Our management team is one of the most experienced in the coal industry with an
average of over 24 years of coal industry experience. The management team has
demonstrated its ability to streamline operations and reduce costs. Management
has successfully expanded existing mines, built new mines and acquired
additional operations leading to an increase in our production, productivity
and earnings.
 
Research and Development Capabilities
We operate the largest private research and development facility in the United
States devoted to the mining and use of coal. Our Research and Development
Department has pioneered several major technical developments in mining
technology. We also are in the forefront of U.S. coal companies in solving
coal-combustion and other challenges for customers which enables us to create
new business opportunities.
 
The Research and Development Department also works to improve the effectiveness
and the cost of pollution-control technologies. Our facilities and staff,
including 100 scientists and engineers, provide both testing and field-
diagnostic service to customers and potential customers.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
 
Broad, Diverse Customer Base
   
We currently sell coal to more than 160 different customers, including
financially strong domestic utilities. Our three largest customers are
Allegheny Energy, Pennsylvania Power Company and Detroit Edison. During 1998,
we sold about 67% of our production under contracts with terms exceeding one
year. These contract customers represent a base of nearly 70 domestic and
foreign companies, including generators of electricity, steel mills, heavy
manufacturers, chemical plants, cement plants and paper manufacturers.     
 
Executive Offices
 
Our principal executive office is located at 300 Delaware Avenue, Suite 567,
Wilmington, Delaware 19801. Our telephone number is (302) 477-1260.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                  
                               The Offering     
 
Common Stock Offered ...............
                                         
                                      22,600,000 shares of our common
                                      stock.     
 
Common Stock Outstanding After this      
Offering ...........................  80,267,558 shares of our common
                                      stock.     
                                      
                                      The number of shares of common stock
                                      shown as offered and outstanding
                                      after this offering excludes up to
                                      3,390,000 shares of common stock
                                      subject to an over-allotment option
                                      granted by us to the underwriters.
                                           
                                      The number of shares of common stock
                                      shown as outstanding after this
                                      offering also excludes 800,000 shares
                                      issuable upon exercise of options to
                                      be granted under our 1999 Equity
                                      Incentive Plan upon consummation of
                                      this offering. The options will have
                                      exercise prices equal to the initial
                                      public offering price. It also
                                      excludes an additional 2,450,000
                                      shares of common stock reserved for
                                      future issuance under the plan.     
 
Use of Proceeds ....................     
                                      We estimate that we will receive net
                                      proceeds of approximately $416
                                      million, or $479 million if the
                                      underwriters exercise their over-
                                      allotment option in full. We
                                      anticipate using these proceeds to
                                      repay a portion of the commercial
                                      paper issued by us in 1998 to finance
                                      the acquisition of the Rochester &
                                      Pittsburgh Coal Company and the
                                      repurchase of common stock. See "Use
                                      of Proceeds."     
 
Dividends ..........................
                                         
                                      The Board of Directors currently
                                      intends to pay quarterly dividends on
                                      our common stock. We expect the first
                                      quarterly dividend to be paid on
                                      common stock issued in this offering
                                      will be $.27 per share, an annual
                                      rate of $1.08 per share. We
                                      anticipate declaring and paying this
                                      dividend in the third quarter of
                                      1999. See "Dividend Policy."     
   
New York Stock Exchange Trading       "CNX"
 Symbol for Common Stock ......     
          
    
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                      
                   Summary Financial and Operating Data     
   
The following table provides summary financial and operating data of CONSOL
Energy for the periods indicated. We have derived the summary financial data
from our consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, independent auditors. You may read the report of Ernst & Young LLP
elsewhere in this prospectus with respect to the financial statements at
December 31, 1997 and 1998 and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and
1998. After this offering, we expect to change our fiscal year from a calendar
year to a year ending on June 30. We will have a transitional fiscal period
ending June 30, 1999. Our first full fiscal year ending June 30 will be the
year that starts July 1, 1999 and ends June 30, 2000. You should read the
information in the following tables in conjunction with "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and
the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
       
For preliminary information regarding the first quarter of 1999, see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition--Results of Operations--First Quarter 1999 Preliminary Results."     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                          ------------------------------------------------------
                                         Year Ended December 31,
                          ------------------------------------------------------
                                1994       1995       1996       1997       1998
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
In thousands, except per
 share data
Statement of Income Data
Revenue
 Sales(1)...............  $2,326,104 $2,269,211 $2,336,014 $2,285,197 $2,295,430
 Other income...........      86,377     45,024     60,940     64,441     54,562
<CAPTION>
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
 Total revenue..........   2,412,481  2,314,235  2,396,954  2,349,638  2,349,992
Costs
 Costs of goods sold and
  other operating
  charges...............   1,703,678  1,600,271  1,687,836  1,592,413  1,594,523
 Selling, general and
  administrative
  expense...............      53,546     53,537     53,354     55,429     55,128
 Depreciation, depletion
  and amortization......     265,262    253,113    235,159    233,304    238,584
 Interest expense.......      50,678     53,915     44,510     45,876     48,138
 Taxes other than
  income................     204,356    200,605    187,396    188,940    201,137
<CAPTION>
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
 Total costs............   2,277,520  2,161,441  2,208,255  2,115,962  2,137,510
<CAPTION>
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Earnings before income
 taxes..................     134,961    152,794    188,699    233,676    212,482
Income taxes............         380     22,744     35,970     49,887     37,845
<CAPTION>
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net income..............  $  134,581 $  130,050 $  152,729 $  183,789 $  174,637
<CAPTION>
                          ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Pro forma net
 income(2)..............         --         --         --         --  $  174,685
<CAPTION>
                                                                      ==========
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Pro forma net income per
 share(3)...............         --         --         --         --  $     2.18
<CAPTION>
                                                                      ==========
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Pro forma weighted
 average number of
 common shares
 outstanding(3).........         --         --         --         --  80,267,558
<CAPTION>
                                                                      ==========
</TABLE>    
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    At December 31,
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                1994       1995       1996       1997       1998  Pro Forma(4)
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------  ------------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
In thousands
Balance Sheet Data
Working capital.........  $  208,079 $  277,678 $  358,030 $   77,313 $ (602,428)  $ (186,428)
Total assets............   3,952,988  3,871,978  3,857,508  3,548,011  3,863,390    3,863,390
Short-term debt.........     132,567     78,166     46,378     55,051    551,719      135,719
Long-term debt
 (including current
 portion)...............     450,332    442,385    449,170    397,257    430,888      430,888
Total deferred credits
 and other liabilities..   2,413,510  2,325,262  2,315,397  2,262,702  2,433,899    2,433,899
Stockholders' equity
 (deficit) .............     456,197    506,247    578,976    302,765   (103,221)     313,779
</TABLE>    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                         -----------------------------------------------------
                                      Year Ended December 31,
                         -----------------------------------------------------
                              1994       1995       1996       1997       1998
                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Other Operating Data
Tons sold (in
 thousands)(5)..........    74,199     72,741     77,000     75,170     77,729
Tons produced (in
 thousands).............    72,140     71,324     71,411     72,505     75,769
Productivity (tons per
 manday)................     29.60      31.22      34.57      38.46      40.11
Average production cost
 ($ per ton produced)...    $22.90     $22.31     $21.87     $21.05     $20.99
Average sales price of
 tons produced ($ per
 ton produced)..........    $27.32     $26.61     $26.29     $26.49     $26.41
Coal reserves (tons in
 millions)(6)...........     4,956      5,072      5,063      4,776      4,755
Number of mining
 complexes (at period
 end)...................        30         26         26         24         25
Number of employees (at
 period end)............     9,739      8,743      8,206      7,711      8,578
<CAPTION>
                         -----------------------------------------------------
                                      Year Ended December 31,
                         -----------------------------------------------------
                              1994       1995       1996       1997       1998
                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
In thousands
Other Financial Data
Capital expenditures.... $ 144,438  $ 179,022  $ 169,367  $ 200,617  $ 254,515
EBIT(7).................   167,668    188,715    212,708    256,934    250,089
EBITDA(7)...............   432,930    441,828    447,867    490,238    488,673
Net cash provided by
 operating activities...   344,629    298,290    372,582    427,913    395,313
Net cash provided by
 (used in) investing
 activities.............  (357,153)  (160,856)  (251,236)    52,243  (235,918)
Net cash provided by
 (used in) financing
 activities.............    50,418   (140,805)  (119,254)  (501,354) (146,898)
</TABLE>    
- --------
          
(1)Includes sales of Fairmont Supply Company, other than to us, of $179 million
in 1994, $212 million in 1995, $203 million in 1996, $217 million in 1997 and
$175 million in 1998. Fairmont Supply Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of
CONSOL Energy that distributes mining and industrial supplies.     
          
(2)Pro forma net income assumes (A) the purchase by us of shares of common
stock from DuPont Energy in 1998 as if it had occurred at the beginning of the
year and was funded by the issuance of commercial paper and (B) the application
of the net proceeds from this offering.     
   
(3)Pro forma net income per share and pro forma weighted average number of
common shares outstanding assumes the stock split, the purchase of shares of
common stock from DuPont Energy and the issuance of shares of common stock in
this offering.     
          
(4)Gives effect to the receipt and application by us of an estimated $416
million in net proceeds from this offering. See "Use of Proceeds."     
   
(5)Includes sales of coal produced by us and purchased from third parties. We
sold 3.5 million, 2.7 million, 3.2 million, 3.1 million and 3.2 million tons of
coal that we purchased from third parties during 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and
1998, respectively.     
   
(6)Represents proved and probable reserves at period end. See "Business--Coal
Reserves" and "Glossary."     
          
(7)EBIT is defined as earnings before deducting net interest expense (interest
expense less interest income) and income taxes. EBITDA is defined as earnings
before deducting net interest expense (interest expense less interest income),
income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Although EBIT and
EBITDA are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, management believes that they are useful to an
investor in evaluating CONSOL Energy because they are widely used in the coal
industry as measures to evaluate a company's operating performance before debt
expense and its cash flow. EBIT and EBITDA do not purport to represent cash
generated by operating activities and should not be considered in isolation or
as a substitute for measures of performance in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. In addition, because EBIT and EBITDA are not
calculated identically by all companies, the presentation here may not be
comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Management's
discretionary use of funds depicted by EBIT and EBITDA may be limited by
working capital, debt service and capital expenditure requirements and by
restrictions related to legal requirements, commitments and uncertainties.     
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                                  
                               Risk Factors     
 
You should consider the following factors and the other information in this
prospectus before deciding to invest in the common stock.
   
We cannot be certain that we will maintain our competitive position because the
coal markets are highly competitive and affected by factors beyond our control.
       
We compete with coal producers in various regions of the United States for
domestic sales, and we compete both with domestic and overseas producers for
sales to international markets. Continued demand for our coal and the prices
that we will be able to obtain primarily will depend upon coal consumption
patterns of the domestic electric utility industry. Consumption by the domestic
utility industry is affected by the demand for electricity, environmental and
other governmental regulations, technological developments and the price of
competing coal and alternative fuel supplies including nuclear, natural gas,
oil or renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric power. We also sell
coal to overseas utilities and to the more specialized metallurgical coal
market which is significantly affected by both international demand and
competition. See "Business--Competition."     
   
A significant decline in the price we receive for our coal could adversely
affect our operating results and cash flows.     
   
Our results of operations are highly dependent upon the prices we receive for
our coal and our ability to improve productivity and reduce costs. The
expiration of long-term contracts with prices above current market prices
requires that we continue to improve productivity and reduce costs in order to
sustain operating margins. Prices for export coal also have declined. In
addition, recent demand for coal has decreased because of the warm winters in
the northeastern United States in 1998 and 1999. This has resulted in increased
inventories that have caused pricing pressures in 1999. All of these factors
will adversely affect our operating results in the first quarter of 1999. Such
price declines may adversely affect operating results for future periods and
our ability to generate cash flows necessary to improve productivity and expand
operations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
and Financial Condition."     
   
We depend on a few customers for a significant portion of our revenues and the
loss of one or more significant customers could adversely affect us.     
   
During 1998, we derived 23% of our total revenue from sales to our two largest
customers, Allegheny Energy and a consortium of utility companies, including
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Duquesne Light Company, Ohio Edison
Company, Pennsylvania Power Company and The Toledo Edison Company, referred to
as the CAPCO companies. Allegheny Energy accounted for more than 10% of our
total revenues during 1998. We currently have five contracts with Allegheny
Energy and one with CAPCO. The CAPCO contract expires December 31, 1999. Our
contracts with Allegheny Energy expire in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005. We have
engaged in discussions with both customers to either extend existing long-term
contracts or enter into new contracts. There can be no assurance that these
customers either will extend or enter into new long-term contracts or, in the
absence of long-term contracts, that they will continue to purchase the same
amount of coal as they have in the past or on terms, including pricing terms,
as favorable to us as under existing agreements. Based on current market
conditions, we anticipate that the contract expiring on December 31, 1999, if
renegotiated, would provide for less favorable pricing terms. The loss of
either customer or changes in the amounts of coal that they purchase from us or
the terms on which they buy could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and
"Business--Coal Contracts."     
   
The price of coal sold under many of our long-term contracts is above current
market prices. Our customers may not extend existing or enter into new long-
term contracts. This could adversely affect the stability and profitabilityof
our operations.     
   
During 1998, sales under long-term coal supply contracts generated
approximately 69% of our total revenue from coal sales. These contracts
contribute to the stability and profitability of our operations by providing
predictability of production volumes and sales prices. Changes in regulations
governing the electric utility industry may make it more difficult for us to
enter into long-term contracts with our electric utility customers, as these
customers may become more sensitive to long-term price or quantity commitments
in a more competitive environment. A substantial decrease in the amount of coal
sold by us pursuant to long-term contracts could subject our revenue stream to
increased volatility and adversely affect our profitability. See "Business--
Coal Contracts."     
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
   
The expiration of long-term contracts with favorable pricing or contract
provisions allowing for the renegotiation of prices could reduce our
profitability.     
   
The profitability of our long-term coal supply contracts depends on a variety
of factors, varies from contract to contract and fluctuates during the contract
term, depending on contract provisions, our actual production costs and other
factors. In addition, provisions for adjustment or renegotiation of prices and
other provisions may increase our exposure to short-term coal price volatility.
If a substantial portion of our long-term contracts were modified or
terminated, we would be affected adversely to the extent that we are unable to
find other customers at the same level of profitability. Some of our long-term
contracts are for prices above current spot market prices. The loss of certain
of our long-term contracts could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and
"Business--Coal Contracts."     
   
Disputes with our customers concerning contracts can result in litigation which
could result in our paying substantial damages.     
   
From time to time we have disputes with our customers over the provisions of
long-term contracts relating to, among other things, coal quality, pricing and
quantity. We currently are involved in litigation with Union Electric in which
its claims damages aggregating $190 million. CONSOL Energy was awarded summary
judgment dismissing these claims, and Union Electric has appealed the
dismissal. In addition, the CAPCO companies have made an arbitration demand.
They claim that they were improperly assessed $50 million under a long-term
contract for labor, retirement and benefit costs. We may become involved in
similar proceedings in the future. There can be no assurance that we will be
able to resolve existing or any future disputes in a satisfactory manner. If
the existing claims were resolved in favor of our customers, we would have to
pay them substantial damages. See "Business--Legal Proceedings."     
   
Coal mining is subject to unexpected disruptions and we do not maintain
insurance.     
   
Our mining operations are predominantly underground mines using longwall mining
methods. These mines are subject to conditions or events beyond our control
that could disrupt operations and affect the cost of mining at particular mines
for varying lengths of time. These include: fires and explosions from methane;
mining and processing equipment failures; changes in geologic or hydrologic
conditions; inability to acquire mining rights or permits; or other disruptions
to the mining process. We do not maintain insurance against underground mining
risks.     
          
Our union represented labor force could result in increased risk of work
stoppages and higher labor costs.     
   
At December 31, 1998, the United Mine Workers of America represented
approximately 50% of our workforce. Of our coal production in 1998, 64% or 48.5
million tons of coal was produced at mines where the maintenance and production
workforce was represented by the United Mine Workers of America. The current
National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement, the wage agreement which applies to
substantially all of our represented employees at our mining operations, became
effective on January 1, 1998, and continues through December 31, 2002. Certain
of our competitors have lesser levels of representation. Because of the
increased risk of strikes and other related work actions, in addition to higher
labor costs, which may be associated with represented operations in the coal
industry, our non-represented competitors may have a competitive advantage in
areas where they compete with our represented operations. If some or all of our
current non-represented operations were to become represented, we could incur
increased risk of work stoppages and higher labor costs. The ten-month United
Mine Workers of America strike in 1993 had a material adverse effect on our
results of operations. See "Business--Employees and Labor Relations."     
   
Transportation disruptions could impair our ability to sell coal.     
   
Coal producers depend upon rail, barge, trucking, overland conveyor and other
systems to provide access to markets. One of our major rail transportation
providers, Conrail, recently was acquired by CSX Transportation, Inc. and
Norfolk Southern Corporation. The integration of Conrail into CSX
Transportation and Norfolk Southern is expected to begin June 1, 1999, although
we understand that certain steps have been taken already. We have had meetings
with both rail carriers to discuss specific issues relating to the integration
of Conrail, CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern operations and to seek to
ensure continued service during the period of     
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
integration. Although we have not yet experienced any service disruptions
because of the merger, disruptions in service may occur during the transition
period. We do not know how long the transition period will last. Disruption of
transportation services because of problems arising from the integration
process or from weather-related problems, strikes, lock-outs or other events
could temporarily impair our ability to supply coal to customers and could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
          
Transportation costs represent a significant portion of the delivered cost of
coal, and increases in transportation costs could make other energy sources
more competitive with coal.     
   
Transportation costs represent a significant portion of the delivered cost of
coal and, as a result, the cost of delivery is a critical factor in a
customer's purchasing decision. Although increases in transportation costs
could give our operations in northern Appalachia a competitive advantage over
coal mined in other regions, such increases could make coal a less competitive
source of energy. Such increases could have a material adverse effect on our
ability to compete with other energy sources and on our business, financial
condition and results of operations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Results of Operations and Financial Condition."     
   
A substantial portion of our coal has high-sulfur content which may make it
more costly to use because of the Clean Air Act.     
   
The Clean Air Act limits the ability of some of our customers to burn higher
sulfur coals unless they install scrubbers, purchase sulfur dioxide emission
allowances or blend high-sulfur coal with low-sulfur coal. The development of
our high-sulfur coal reserves is dependent on the cost of such emission
allowances, the cost and availability of low-sulfur coal and whether electric
utilities install scrubbers to meet the more stringent SO/2/ emissions
requirements of the Clean Air Act which will become effective in 2000. See
"Coal Industry Overview," "Business--Coal Reserves" and "Regulation--
Environmental Laws--Clean Air Act."     
   
The devaluation of foreign currencies could adversely affect the
competitiveness of our coal abroad.     
   
We compete in international markets with coal produced in other countries,
including principally Australia, South Africa, Colombia, Venezuela and
Indonesia. Coal is sold internationally in U.S. dollars. As a result, mining
costs in competing producing countries may be reduced in U.S. dollar terms
based on currency exchange rates. Devaluation of currencies in producing
countries could adversely affect the competitiveness of U.S. coal in
international markets and could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. We do not engage in currency
hedging transactions.     
   
We accrue for health and welfare benefits and obligations under environmental
laws based upon assumptions which, if wrong, could result in our being required
to expend materially greater amounts than anticipated.     
   
We provide various health and welfare benefits to inactive and retired
employees. These obligations have been estimated by us based on the assumptions
described in Notes 1, 14 and 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
At December 31, 1998, the current and non-current portions of these obligations
include: post retirement medical and life insurance ($1,244 million); coal
workers' black lung benefits ($492 million); workers' compensation ($254
million); and long-term disability ($25 million). These obligations are
unfunded except for long-term disability which is partially funded.     
   
We have obligations arising under various federal and state environmental laws
and regulations. These obligations are estimated by us based on permit
requirements and various assumptions concerning costs and production. At
December 31, 1998, the current and non-current portion of these obligations
include mine closing ($297 million) and reclamation ($32 million). These
obligations are unfunded.     
 
If our assumptions do not materialize as expected, cash expenditures and costs
could be materially greater than those reflected in our financial statements.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and
Financial Condition."
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
   
Government regulations increase our costs of doing business and may discourage
our customers from buying our coal.     
   
The coal mining industry is subject to regulation by federal, state and local
authorities on matters such as employee health and safety, permit and licensing
requirements, air quality standards, water pollution, plant and wildlife
protection, reclamation and restoration of mining properties after mining is
completed, the discharge of materials into the environment, surface subsidence
from underground mining and the effects that mining has on groundwater quality
and availability. In addition, the industry is affected by legislation
mandating certain benefits for current and retired coal miners.     
 
Numerous governmental permits and approvals are required for mining operations.
We may be required to prepare and present to federal, state and local
authorities data pertaining to the effect or impact that any proposed
exploration for or production of coal may have upon the environment.
Requirements imposed by any such authority may be costly and time-consuming and
may delay commencement or continuation of exploration or production operations.
 
The possibility also exists that new legislation or regulations and orders may
be adopted which may materially adversely affect our mining operations, our
cost structure or our customers' ability to use coal. New legislation and new
regulations under existing laws related to the protection of the environment,
which would further regulate or tax the coal industry, may also require us or
our customers to change operations significantly or incur increased costs. Such
legislation, if enacted, could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. See "Regulation."
   
We may be required to modify our operations to comply with permit and emission
requirements under the Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act and corresponding state
laws that regulate emissions into the air affect coal mining operations. Direct
impact on coal mining and processing operations may occur through the Clean Air
Act permit and emissions control requirements relating to particulate matter
including, without limitation, fugitive dust. In July 1997, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency adopted new, more stringent National Ambient
Air Quality Standards for particulate matter and ozone which are expected to be
implemented by 2003. The impact of the new National Ambient Air Quality
Standards on the coal industry will depend on the policies and control
strategies implemented by states under the Clean Air Act, but could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.     
   
In order to comply with limitations on emissions, our customers may buy low-
sulfur coal or switch to other fuels. The Clean Air Act affects coal mining
operations indirectly by extensively regulating the emission into the air of
SO/2/ and other compounds, including nitrogen oxides, emitted by coal-fueled
power plants. The Clean Air Act places limits on SO/2/ emissions from electric
power generation plants. The initiation of a second phase of emission
reductions beginning in 2000 could affect adversely the demand for higher
sulfur coal, which currently accounts for a substantial portion of our sales,
as additional coal-burning electric power generation plants become subject to
the restrictions of the Clean Air Act. The extent to which the switch by
utilities to lower sulfur coal or other low-sulfur fuels would materially
adversely affect us would depend upon a number of factors, including the cost
structure of our operations.     
 
The Clean Air Act also affects coal mining operations by requiring utilities
that currently are major sources of nitrogen oxides in moderate or higher ozone
nonattainment areas to install reasonably available control technology. The
Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a proposal that would
require 22 eastern states to reduce substantially nitrogen oxide emissions by
the year 2003. The effect which such regulations or other requirements that may
be imposed in the future could have on the coal industry in general and on us
in particular cannot be predicted with certainty. No assurance can be given
that the implementation of the Clean Air Act, the new National Ambient Air
Quality Standards or any other future regulatory provisions will not materially
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation.
   
The passage of legislation responsive to the Framework Convention on Global
Climate Change could have an adverse effect on our business. The United States
and more than 160 other nations are signatories to the 1992 Framework
Convention on Global Climate Change which is intended to limit or capture
emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. Although the U.S. Senate
has not yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol and no comprehensive regulations
controlling greenhouse gas emissions have been enacted, efforts to control
greenhouse gas emissions could result in reduced use of coal if electric power
generators switch to lower carbon sources of fuel. Such restrictions could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.     
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
   
We are subject to the Clean Water Act which imposes monitoring and reporting
obligations. The federal Clean Water Act affects coal mining operations by
imposing restrictions on effluent discharge into waters. Regular monitoring, as
well as compliance with reporting requirements and performance standards, are
preconditions for the issuance and renewal of permits governing the discharge
of pollutants into water. We believe that we have obtained all permits required
under the Clean Water Act. However, there can be no assurance that requirements
under the Clean Water Act will not materially adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.     
   
Deregulation of the electric utility industry could lead to efforts to reduce
coal prices. Deregulation of the electric utility industry, when implemented,
will enable industrial, commercial and residential customers to shop for the
lowest cost supply of electricity. This fundamental change in the power
industry may result in efforts to reduce coal prices, which could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.     
   
We have significant employee and retiree benefit obligations. Under black lung
benefits legislation, each coal mine operator is required to make payments of
black lung benefits to:     
     
  .  current and former coal miners,     
            
  .certain survivors of a miner who dies from black lung disease and     
     
  .  a trust fund for the payment of benefits and medical expenses to
     claimants who last worked in the coal industry prior to January 1, 1970,
     or where no responsible coal mine operator has been identified for
     claims where a miner's last coal employment was after December 31, 1969.
            
In addition to federal acts, we are also liable under various state statutes
for black lung claims. Our black lung benefits liabilities totaled
approximately $492 million on our balance sheet at December 31, 1998. The
impact of these costs was not significant for 1998. The related cash payment
for such liability was $10 million.     
 
In recent years, legislation on black lung reform has been introduced but not
enacted in Congress. It is possible that such legislation will be reintroduced
for consideration by Congress. If any of the proposals included in such or
similar legislation is passed, the number of claimants who are awarded benefits
could significantly increase. There can be no assurance that any such changes
in black lung legislation, if approved, will not have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition and results of operation.
 
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued proposed amendments to the regulations
implementing the federal black lung laws which, among other things, establish a
presumption in favor of a claimant's treating physician and limit a coal
operator's ability to introduce medical evidence regarding the claimant's
medical condition. If adopted, the amendments could have an adverse effect on
us, the extent of which cannot be accurately predicted.
   
Additionally, we are required to compensate employees for work-related
injuries. Our workers' compensation liabilities were $254 million at December
31, 1998. The amount expensed in 1998 was $54 million, while the related cash
payment for such liability was $45 million. In addition, several states in
which we operate consider changes in workers' compensation laws from time to
time. Such changes, if enacted, could adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operation.     
   
The Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefits Act of 1992 requires us to make
payments to fund the cost of health benefits for our and other coal industry
retirees. We made payments of $39 million and $34 million in 1997 and 1998,
respectively. See Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. As a
result of a U.S. Supreme Court decision rendered in 1998, we may be required to
increase our share of such payments. However, the magnitude of such increase,
if any, cannot be determined at this time.     
   
We are subject to reclamation, mine closure and subsidence regulations and must
accrue for the estimated costs of complying with such regulations. The federal
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and similar state statutes
require that we obtain and periodically renew permits for mining operations and
that our mine property be restored in accordance with specified standards and
an approved reclamation plan. States also impose on mine operators the
responsibility for repairing or compensating for damage occurring on the
surface as a result of mining operations.     
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 
   
We accrue for the costs of current mine disturbance and of final mine closure,
including the cost of treating mine water discharge where necessary, over the
estimated useful mining life of the property. The establishment of liability
for the current disturbance and final mine closure reclamation is based upon
permit requirements and requires various estimates and assumptions, principally
associated with costs and production levels. The reclamation costs, mine-
closing costs and other environmental liability accruals were $329 million at
December 31, 1998. The amount that was expensed for 1998 was $12 million, while
the related cash payment for such liability in such period was $30 million.
Although our management believes it is making adequate provisions for all
expected reclamation and other costs associated with mine closures, future
operating results would be adversely affected if such accruals were later
determined to be insufficient.     
   
We could incur significant costs under federal and state Superfund
statutes. Risks of environmental liability are inherent with respect to both
current and past coal mining activities. The Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act and similar state laws create
liabilities for investigation and remediation for releases of hazardous
substances to the environment and damages to natural resources. Our current and
former coal mining operations currently incur, and will continue to incur,
expenditures associated with the investigation and remediation of environmental
matters, including underground storage tanks, solid and hazardous waste
disposal and other matters under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act and state environmental laws.     
 
From time to time, we have been the subject of administrative proceedings,
litigation and investigations relating to environmental matters. We have been
named as a potentially responsible party at several Superfund sites. Based on
various factors, we believe that the liabilities associated with such Superfund
sites should not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or
results of operations. However, there can be no assurance that we will not
become involved in future proceedings, litigation or investigations or that
such liabilities will not be material.
   
While we believe that we have accrued for the costs likely to be incurred for
these environmental matters, and that those costs are not likely to have a
material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and results of
operations, there can be no assurance that total costs and liabilities for
these environmental matters will not increase in the future. The magnitude of
the liability and the cost of complying with these environmental laws cannot be
predicted with certainty due to the lack of specific information available with
respect to many sites, the potential for new or changed laws and regulations
and for the development of new remediation technologies and the uncertainty
regarding the timing of work with respect to particular sites. As a result,
there can be no assurance that material liabilities or costs related to
environmental matters will not be incurred in the future or that our
liabilities will not be adversely affected by such environmental liabilities or
costs. In addition, there can be no assurance that changes in laws or
regulations would not affect the manner in which we are required to conduct our
operations.     
   
We may not be able to accomplish our acquisition strategy which requires us to
outbid competitors, obtain financing on acceptable terms and integrate acquired
operations with our own. We may have to raise capital for acquisitions by
incurring substantial debt or issuing additional equity, which may have a
dilutive effect.     
   
We intend to pursue growth through acquisitions. The coal industry is a rapidly
consolidating industry, with many companies seeking to consummate acquisitions
and increase their market share. In this environment, we compete and will
continue to compete with many other buyers for acquisitions. Some of those
competitors may be able to outbid us for acquisitions because they have greater
financial resources. As a result of these and other factors, there can be no
assurance that future acquisitions will be available on attractive terms. Our
ability to consummate any acquisition will be subject to various conditions,
including the negotiation of satisfactory agreements, obtaining necessary
regulatory approvals and financing.     
   
We may have to increase substantially our borrowings in order to complete
acquisitions. Alternatively, we may choose equity financing in order to
complete acquisitions. This could have a dilutive effect for existing
stockholders. There can be no assurance that such additional financing will be
available to us on acceptable terms.     
   
Once completed, we may not be able to achieve expected operating benefits
through cost reductions, increased efficiency and integration with our existing
operations. As a result, our operating results may be adversely affected.     
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
   
Rheinbraun may own as much as 67.8% of our common stock after the offering and
will be able to control significant decisions by CONSOL Energy.     
   
After this offering, Rheinbraun A.G. and Rheinbraun U.S. GmbH will together own
67.8% of our outstanding shares of common stock. If the underwriters' over-
allotment option is exercised in full, they will own 65.0%. These principal
stockholders will be able to direct the election of all of the members of our
Board of Directors and exercise a controlling influence over our business and
affairs, including any determinations with respect to:     
 
  .   mergers or other business combinations;
     
  .   acquisition or disposition of assets;     
     
  .   incurrence of indebtedness;     
     
  .   issuance of any additional shares of our common stock or other equity
     securities; and     
     
  .   payment of dividends.     
 
Similarly, the principal stockholders will have the power to:
 
  .  determine matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders without the
     consent of our other stockholders;
 
  .  prevent or cause a change in control; or
 
  .  take other actions that might be favorable to the principal
     stockholders.
   
In the foregoing situations or otherwise, various conflicts of interest between
us and our principal stockholders could arise. Ownership interests of our
directors or officers in voting securities of our principal stockholders or
their affiliates or service as a director or officer or other employee of both
us and one of our principal stockholders or one of their affiliates could
create or appear to create potential conflicts of interest when directors and
officers and employees are faced with decisions that could have different
implications for us and our principal stockholders. See "Management,"
"Principal Stockholders" and "Description of Capital Stock--Corporate
Opportunities Policy."     
   
Our share price may decline due to shares eligible for future sale.     
   
After this offering, a total of 54,403,357 shares of common stock will be owned
by Rheinbraun A.G. and Rheinbraun U.S. GmbH and 3,264,201 shares of common
stock will be owned by DuPont Energy Company. We cannot predict the effect, if
any, that future sales of shares of our common stock, or the availability of
such shares for sale would have on the market price prevailing from time to
time. Nevertheless, sales by us, Rheinbraun A.G., Rheinbraun U.S. GmbH or
DuPont Energy Company of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public
market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect
prevailing market prices for our common stock. Such a reduction in the market
price of our common stock could impair our ability to raise additional capital
through future public offerings of our equity securities.     
   
Each of Rheinbraun A.G., Rheinbraun U.S. GmbH and DuPont Energy Company has
agreed not to dispose of its shares for a period of 180 days after the date of
this prospectus without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities
Inc. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."     
          
Our operations could be adversely affected by data processing failures after
December 31, 1999.     
   
The year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs being written using two
digits rather than four to identify the applicable year and is an issue which
exists for all companies that rely on computers as the year 2000 approaches.
The failure to correct any such programs may result in incorrect results when
computers perform arithmetic operations, comparisons or data field sorting and
some non-information systems functions that rely on computers making
calculations. Based on recent assessments, we have determined that we will be
required to modify or replace some portions of our software, and, to a lesser
extent, our hardware so that those systems will properly utilize dates beyond
December 31, 1999. We do not expect costs in connection with any such
modifications and replacements to be material. However, if such modifications
and replacements are not made, or are not completed in a timely manner, the
year 2000 issue may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Results of Operations and Financial Condition--Impact of Year 2000 Issue."
    
                                       15
<PAGE>
 
   
The accuracy of forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus is
uncertain.     
   
This prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements that are based on
the beliefs of our management, as well as assumptions made by, and information
currently available to, our management. The words "anticipates," "believes,"
"estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends" and similar expressions are intended
to identify these forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means
of identifying them. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views
of our management and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and
contingencies which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements
to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements.
These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include, but are not limited to,
the following:     
     
  .  success or failure of our efforts to implement our business strategy;
         
  .  reliance on major customers and long-term contracts;
 
  .  actions of our competitors and our ability to respond to such actions;
 
  .  risks inherent to mining;
     
  .  effect of government regulation; and     
     
  .  other factors discussed above under the heading "Risk Factors" and
     elsewhere in this prospectus.     
 
We assume no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
 
                                 
                              Use of Proceeds     
   
The net proceeds to CONSOL Energy from this offering, after underwriting
discounts, commissions and expenses payable by CONSOL Energy, are estimated to
be approximately $416 million. This assumes an initial public offering price of
$19.50 per share and no exercise of the underwriter's over-allotment option.
Such net proceeds will be used to repay a portion of commercial paper issued by
CONSOL Energy in order to finance:     
     
  .  the November 1998 purchase of 51,139,156 shares of common stock from
     DuPont Energy for $500 million and     
       
  .  the September 1998 acquisition of the Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal
     Company for $150 million and the refinancing of certain indebtedness
     aggregating $50 million of Rochester & Pittsburgh.
   
At December 31, 1998, CONSOL Energy had an aggregate of $552 million of
commercial paper outstanding, which had maturities of up to 90 days and bore
interest at rates ranging from 5.70% to 6.19% per annum.     
                                 
                              Dividend Policy     
   
The Board of Directors currently intends to declare and pay quarterly dividends
on common stock. It is expected that the first quarterly dividend to be
declared and paid on common stock issued in this offering will be $.27 per
share, an annual rate of $1.08 per share. It is anticipated that this dividend
will be declared and paid in the third quarter of 1999. The declaration and
payment of dividends by CONSOL Energy is subject to the discretion of the Board
of Directors, and no assurance can be given that CONSOL Energy will pay such
dividend or any further dividends. The determination as to the payment of
dividends will depend upon, among other things, general business conditions,
CONSOL Energy's financial results, contractual and legal restrictions regarding
the payment of dividends by CONSOL Energy, the credit ratings of CONSOL Energy,
planned investments by CONSOL Energy and such other factors as the Board of
Directors deems relevant.     
   
CONSOL Energy paid dividends to its stockholders of $80 million in each of
1996, 1997 and 1998. CONSOL Energy also paid an extraordinary cash dividend to
its stockholders of $380 million in 1997. The dividends historically paid by
CONSOL Energy are not indicative of its future dividend policy, particularly
because CONSOL Energy was closely held prior to this offering. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition--Liquidity and Capital Resources."     
   
Before this offering, CONSOL Energy intends to declare a dividend of $22.5
million payable to its current stockholders in the second quarter of 1999.
Purchasers of common stock issued in this offering will not receive this
dividend.     
 
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
 
                                 
                              Capitalization     
   
The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of CONSOL Energy
at December 31, 1998 (1) on an actual basis and (2) on an adjusted basis
reflecting this offering and the application by CONSOL Energy of the estimated
net proceeds from this offering. See "Certain Relationships and Related Party
Transactions."     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                         ----------------------
                                                            Actual  As Adjusted
                                                         ---------  -----------
Dollars in thousands
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>
Short-term debt......................................... $ 551,719   $ 135,719
<CAPTION>
                                                         =========  ===========
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>
Current portion of long-term debt....................... $ 115,793   $ 115,793
<CAPTION>
                                                         =========  ===========
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>
Long-term debt
  Notes due 2002........................................ $  66,000   $  66,000
  Notes due 2004........................................    45,000      45,000
  Notes due 2007........................................    44,788      44,788
  Baltimore Port Facility revenue bonds in series due
   2010 and 2011........................................   102,865     102,865
  Variable rate notes payable at various dates through
   2001.................................................     9,618       9,618
  Advance royalty commitments...........................    25,366      25,366
  Long-term capitalized leases..........................    20,720      20,720
  Other long-term notes maturing at various dates
   through 2007.........................................       738         738
<CAPTION>
                                                         ---------  -----------
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>
    Total long-term debt................................   315,095     315,095
Stockholders' equity
  Common Stock, $.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares
   authorized; issued and outstanding, actual 57,667,558
   shares; issued and outstanding, as adjusted
   80,267,558 shares....................................       577         803
  Capital in excess of par value........................   302,427     718,201
  Retained earnings (deficit)...........................  (405,602)   (405,602)
  Other comprehensive loss..............................      (623)       (623)
<CAPTION>
                                                         ---------  -----------
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>
    Total stockholders' equity..........................  (103,221)    312,779
<CAPTION>
                                                         ---------  -----------
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>
      Total capitalization.............................. $ 211,874   $ 627,874
<CAPTION>
                                                         =========  ===========
</TABLE>    
   
The number of shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted, excludes 800,000
shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options to be granted under
the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan upon consummation of this offering and an
additional 2,450,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under
the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan. See "Management."     
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
 
               
            Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data     
   
The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial and operating
data of CONSOL Energy for the periods indicated. The selected consolidated
financial data have been derived from the consolidated financial statements of
CONSOL Energy, which financial statements have been audited by Ernst & Young
LLP, independent auditors. The report of Ernst & Young LLP with respect to the
financial statements at December 31, 1997 and 1998 and for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 appears elsewhere in this prospectus. After
this offering, CONSOL Energy expects to change its fiscal year from a calendar
year to a year ending on June 30. CONSOL Energy will have a transitional fiscal
period ending June 30, 1999. CONSOL Energy's first full fiscal year ending June
30 will be the year that starts July 1, 1999 and ends June 30, 2000. The
information in the following table should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition" and the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this
prospectus.     
   
For preliminary information regarding the first quarter of 1999, see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition--Results of Operations--First Quarter 1999 Preliminary Results."     
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                          ------------------------------------------------------
                                         Year Ended December 31,
                          ------------------------------------------------------
                                1994       1995       1996       1997       1998
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
In thousands, except per
share data
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C> <C>
Statement of Income Data
Revenue
 Sales(1)...............  $2,326,104 $2,269,211 $2,336,014 $2,285,197 $2,295,430
 Other income...........      86,377     45,024     60,940     64,441     54,562
<CAPTION>
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C> <C>
 Total revenue..........   2,412,481  2,314,235  2,396,954  2,349,638  2,349,992
Costs
 Costs of goods sold and
  other operating
  charges...............   1,703,678  1,600,271  1,687,836  1,592,413  1,594,523
 Selling, general and
  administrative
  expense...............      53,546     53,537     53,354     55,429     55,128
 Depreciation, depletion
  and amortization......     265,262    253,113    235,159    233,304    238,584
 Interest expense.......      50,678     53,915     44,510     45,876     48,138
 Taxes other than
  income................     204,356    200,605    187,396    188,940    201,137
<CAPTION>
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C> <C>
 Total costs............   2,277,520  2,161,441  2,208,255  2,115,962  2,137,510
<CAPTION>
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C> <C>
Earnings before income
 taxes..................     134,961    152,794    188,699    233,676    212,482
Income taxes............         380     22,744     35,970     49,887     37,845
<CAPTION>
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C> <C>
Net income .............  $  134,581 $  130,050 $  152,729 $  183,789 $  174,637
<CAPTION>
                          ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C> <C>
Pro forma net
 income(2)..............         --         --         --         --  $  174,685
<CAPTION>
                                                                      ==========
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C> <C>
Pro forma net income per
 share(3)...............         --         --         --         --  $     2.18
<CAPTION>
                                                                      ==========
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C> <C>
Pro forma weighted
 average number of
 common shares
 outstanding(3).........         --         --         --         --  80,267,558
<CAPTION>
                                                                      ==========
                          ------------------------------------------------------
                                             At December 31,
                          ------------------------------------------------------
                                1994       1995       1996       1997       1998
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
In thousands
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C> <C>
Balance Sheet Data
Working capital.........  $  208,079 $  277,678 $  358,030 $   77,313 $ (602,428)
Total assets............   3,952,988  3,871,978  3,857,508  3,548,011  3,863,390
Short-term debt.........     132,567     78,166     46,378     55,051    551,719
Long-term debt
 (including current
 portion)...............     450,332    442,385    449,170    397,257    430,888
Total deferred credits
 and other liabilities..   2,413,510  2,325,262  2,315,397  2,262,702  2,433,899
Stockholders' equity
 (deficit)..............     456,197    506,247    578,976    302,765   (103,221)
</TABLE>    
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                         -----------------------------------------------------
                                      Year Ended December 31,
                         -----------------------------------------------------
                              1994       1995       1996       1997       1998
                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        
Other Operating Data
Tons sold (in
 thousands)(4)..........    74,199     72,741     77,000     75,170     77,729
Tons produced (in
 thousands).............    72,140     71,324     71,411     72,505     75,769
Productivity (tons per
 manday)................     29.60      31.22      34.57      38.46      40.11
Average production cost
 ($ per ton produced)...    $22.90     $22.31     $21.87     $21.05     $20.99
Average sales price of
 tons produced ($ per
 ton produced)..........    $27.32     $26.61     $26.29     $26.49     $26.41
Coal reserves (tons in
 millions)(5)...........     4,956      5,072      5,063      4,776      4,755
Number of mining
 complexes (at period
 end)...................        30         26         26         24         25
Number of employees (at
 period end)............     9,739      8,743      8,206      7,711      8,578
<CAPTION>
                         -----------------------------------------------------
                                      Year Ended December 31,
                         -----------------------------------------------------
                              1994       1995       1996       1997       1998
                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
In thousands
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       
Other Financial Data
Capital expenditures.... $ 144,438  $ 179,022  $ 169,367  $ 200,617  $ 254,515
EBIT(6).................   167,668    188,715    212,708    256,934    250,089
EBITDA(6)...............   432,930    441,828    447,867    490,238    488,673
Net cash provided by
 operating activities...   344,629    298,290    372,582    427,913    395,313
Net cash provided by
 (used in) investing
 activities.............  (357,153)  (160,856)  (251,236)    52,243   (235,918)
Net cash provided by
 (used in) financing
 activities.............    50,418   (140,805)  (119,254)  (501,354)  (146,898)
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(1)Includes sales of Fairmont Supply Company, other than to us, of $179 million
in 1994, $212 million in 1995, $203 million in 1996, $217 million in 1997 and
$175 million in 1998. Fairmont Supply Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of
CONSOL Energy that distributes mining and industrial supplies.     
          
(2)Pro forma net income assumes (A) the purchase of stock from DuPont Energy in
1998 as if it had occurred at the beginning of the year and was funded by the
issuance of commercial paper and (B) the application of the net proceeds from
this offering.     
   
(3)Pro forma net income per share and pro forma weighted average number of
common shares outstanding assumes the stock split, the purchase of shares of
common stock from DuPont Energy and the issuance of shares of common stock in
the offering.     
          
(4)Includes sales of coal produced by CONSOL Energy and purchased from third
parties. CONSOL Energy sold 3.5 million, 2.7 million, 3.2 million, 3.1 million
and 3.2 million tons of coal that we purchased from third parties during 1994,
1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.     
   
(5)Represents proved and probable reserves at period end. See "Business--Coal
Reserves" and "Glossary."     
          
(6)EBIT is defined as earnings before deducting net interest expense (interest
expense less interest income) and income taxes. EBITDA is defined as earnings
before deducting net interest expense (interest expense less interest income),
income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Although EBIT and
EBITDA are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, management believes that they are useful to an
investor in evaluating CONSOL Energy because they are widely used in the coal
industry as measures to evaluate a company's operating performance before debt
expense and its cash flow. EBIT and EBITDA do not purport to represent cash
generated by operating activities and should not be considered in isolation or
as a substitute for measures of performance in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. In addition, because EBIT and EBITDA are not
calculated identically by all companies, the presentation here may not be
comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Management's
discretionary use of funds depicted by EBIT and EBITDA may be limited by
working capital, debt service and capital expenditure requirements and by
restrictions related to legal requirements, commitments and uncertainties.     
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
 
                     
                  Management's Discussion and Analysis of     
                  
               Results of Operations and Financial Condition     
 
General
   
CONSOL Energy ranks among the largest coal companies in the United States based
upon total revenue, net income and operating cash flow. CONSOL Energy is:     
     
  .  the largest U.S. producer of high-Btu bituminous coal,     
     
  .  the largest producer of coal east of the Mississippi River,     
     
  .  the largest producer of coal from underground mines, and     
     
  .  the largest U.S. exporter of coal to international markets.     
   
CONSOL Energy sells coal to more than 20 nations and serves markets in Europe,
South America, Southeast Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and North America. CONSOL
Energy's production of 73 million tons in 1997 accounted for 7% of total
domestic tons produced and for 12% of tons produced in the eastern United
States. Production in 1998 totaled 76 million tons. CONSOL Energy currently has
25 mining complexes. At December 31, 1998, CONSOL Energy had 4.8 billion tons
of proved and probable coal reserves. At December 31 1997, the last year for
which industry data is available, CONSOL Energy had the second largest reserve
base among U.S. coal producers.     
   
CONSOL Energy earnings over the last five years have been achieved primarily
by:     
          
  .reducing unit cost of production through productivity improvements,     
     
  .  expanding CONSOL Energy mines by investing in technology, thereby using
     the resulting production increases to replace older, higher cost mines
     with depleted reserves,     
            
  .  investing in acquisitions that complement existing operations, and     
     
  .  successfully selling coal at prices that have enabled CONSOL Energy to
     maintain margins despite the expiration of above-market sales contracts.
            
CONSOL Energy will attempt to continue to use these methods in the future.     
   
CONSOL Energy has maintained the delivered-cost competitiveness of its coals by
increasing productivity. CONSOL Energy has 25% of all longwall mining systems
in the United States, more than any other coal producer. The distinguishing
characteristic of longwall mines relative to other types of mines is a low
variable-cost structure due to highly mechanized operations. Expansion of
production from these mines can be achieved at low incremental cost. This has
allowed CONSOL Energy to generate positive cash margins even under pricing
pressures. CONSOL Energy increased tons produced in each of 1996, 1997 and 1998
while reducing employment and the number of mining complexes. Net income
increased from $130 million in 1995 to $153 million in 1996 to $184 million in
1997 and was $175 million in 1998. Net cash provided by operating activities
increased from $298 million in 1995 to $373 million in 1996, to $428 million in
1997 and was $395 million in 1998.     
   
CONSOL Energy expects to continue to reduce its unit cost of production in the
future. CONSOL Energy currently is expanding the preparation plant that serves
the Bailey and Enlow Fork operation and plans to improve underground haulage
ultimately to increase production nearly 25% from what already is a record
level. CONSOL Energy replaced track haulage with more efficient belt haulage at
its McElroy mine in 1997 and its Blacksville mine in 1998. Also at the McElroy
mine, CONSOL Energy is constructing a raw coal silo that will allow greater
efficiency at both the plant and in the mine. At the Blacksville mine, CONSOL
Energy plans to accelerate the lifting of coal from the vertical shaft in the
mine, which is the current bottleneck. CONSOL Energy intends to convert the
Shoemaker mine to an all-belt haulage mine to further reduce its costs. CONSOL
Energy has plans to replace the Cardinal River mine with the lower-cost Cheviot
mine, subject to satisfactory market conditions. In 1999, the higher-cost
Powhatan mine will deplete its reserves and it is anticipated that the expanded
McElroy and Shoemaker mines will more than offset the production loss and do so
at lower costs. CONSOL Energy incorporates such improvements routinely in its
plans to continue to reduce cost.     
   
CONSOL Energy also will increase its production through acquisitions where
CONSOL Energy believes it has a competitive advantage and can generate value
from underperforming assets. In September 1998, CONSOL Energy     
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
 
   
acquired the Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company. Rochester & Pittsburgh's
principal asset was Mine No. 84, which has similar characteristics to the
Bailey and Enlow Fork mines, and has the potential to become a highly efficient
mine.     
   
CONSOL Energy has successfully marketed its coal production, and has been able
to maintain margins despite the implementation in 1995 of the first phase of
the Clean Air Act. The second phase of the implementation of the Clear Air Act
will take effect in the year 2000. CONSOL Energy plans to sell a significant
portion of its high-sulfur coal production after 2000 to scrubbed plants or to
export markets. Its medium-sulfur coals, such as coal produced at the Bailey,
Enlow Fork and Mine No. 84 mines, will be targeted to power plants that are
unscrubbed but that can continue to burn such coals with sulfur dioxide
emission allowances.     
   
Although the Clean Air Act has had some effect on the price per ton of high-
sulfur coal, CONSOL Energy believes that production costs will continue to be a
significant factor in setting prices. The coal market is a very competitive
market in which prices often are set by marginal cost producers. As producers
deplete their reserves, their cost of mining will increase. To date,
productivity improvements throughout the industry have offset cost pressures
resulting from the depletion of existing reserves. Generally, the price of
high-sulfur coal on a delivered basis is less than the price of low-sulfur coal
on a delivered basis. CONSOL Energy believes that the price difference between
high- and low-sulfur coal likely will widen in the future because low-sulfur
coal producers will be required to mine higher cost reserves. The price of
higher sulfur coals also will rise because of depletion, but this increase may
not be as fast as the increase in low-sulfur coal. CONSOL Energy believes that
it is in a favorable position in which cost reductions are available through
continued productivity improvements by mining its extensive reserves that are
accessible to its existing mines.     
   
CONSOL Energy believes that many currently unscrubbed power plants also will
retrofit scrubbers when economical. Because of potential further tightening of
clean air regulations, particularly for sulfur dioxide and for mercury control,
scrubbers may be required. To the extent that plants install scrubbers, the
cost of operating a scrubber is approximately $.09 to $.12 per million Btus. In
addition, CONSOL Energy believes that technologically-advantaged clean power
plants using high-Btu, low-delivered-cost coals are more competitive than
plants generating electricity with natural gas. Because scrubbers are needed
for all new power plants that burn coal and may be required for existing coal
burning plants to continue to operate under tighter air regulations, CONSOL
Energy's coals should sustain their advantage over low-sulfur coal that is
produced farther from CONSOL Energy's markets and, as a result, have higher
transportation costs.     
 
Long-Term Contracts
   
During 1998, approximately 69% of CONSOL Energy's total revenue from coal sales
resulted from sales under long-term contracts. The revenues from coal sales
under long-term contracts represented 51 million tons sold during 1998. Long-
term contracts are contracts with terms that exceed one year. These contracts
contribute to the stability and profitability of CONSOL Energy's operations by
providing predictability of production volumes and sales prices. In addition,
some of CONSOL Energy's long-term contracts are at prices above current spot
market prices. CONSOL Energy's long-term contracts, existing at December 31,
1998, have remaining terms ranging from one to 18 years and provide, in the
aggregate, for the delivery of 48 million tons in 1999 and 33 million tons in
2000, subject generally to the satisfaction of certain conditions and each
contracting party's right to vary the number of tons delivered. The average
original term of our long-term contracts is 6.5 years. The average remaining
term of these contracts is 2.7 years.     
   
CONSOL Energy's net income primarily is generated by low-cost mining operations
with sales volumes at market prices. However, CONSOL Energy has fixed-price and
base-price-plus-escalation steam coal contracts that are above or below current
market prices. The following table sets forth for such contracts that were in
effect in 1997, 1998 and as of February 1, 1999:     
     
  .  the number of tons deliverable,     
     
  .  the weighted average price per ton paid or estimated to be payable, and
            
  .  the number of contracts.     
 
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
 
Where contracts have price reopener provisions, such contracts have been
excluded from the table after the date on which they revert to market prices.
Of our 65 long-term contracts, 40 of these contracts have price reopener
provisions. The price reopener provisions in all but one of these 40 contracts
are at market price at the time of the reopening. One contract reopener is
based on production costs for labor and supplies for the mines supplying the
coal.
           
        Base-Price-Plus-Escalation and Fixed-Price Sales Contracts     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                1997   1998   1999   2000   2001   2002   2003
                              ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S>                           <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Sales volumes (millions of
 tons).......................   35.0   34.4   31.6   20.2   16.8   14.2    9.3
Weighted average price (free
 on board at mine)........... $27.70 $28.20 $27.20 $27.10 $27.50 $28.60 $29.40
Number of contracts..........     37     43     37     20     12     11      7
</TABLE>    
   
Contracts expiring or reverting to market price prior to 2000, that have not
been extended or replaced with new contracts, provided for the sale of 16
million tons in 1998. These contracts generated total revenues of $450 million
in 1998. Based on CONSOL Energy's estimate of market prices in 1998, if sales
under these contracts had been at market prices, CONSOL Energy's revenues and
net income in 1998 would have been reduced by approximately $90 million and $60
million, respectively. During the past five years, CONSOL Energy has been able
to offset the effects of the expiration of long-term contracts through cost
savings and productivity improvements. CONSOL Energy anticipates that it will be
able to mitigate the impact of the expiration of such contracts. However, there
cannot be any assurance that it will be able to do so, particularly with the
larger volume expiring in 2000, and the inability to reduce costs and improve
productivity could have a material adverse effect on CONSOL Energy's business,
operations and financial condition.     
 
Change of Fiscal Year
   
After this offering, CONSOL Energy expects to change its fiscal year from a
calendar year to a year ending on June 30. CONSOL Energy will have a
transitional fiscal period ending June 30, 1999. CONSOL Energy's first full
fiscal year ending June 30 will be the year that starts July 1, 1999 and ends
June 30, 2000. CONSOL Energy is undertaking this change in order to align its
fiscal year with that of Rheinbraun. CONSOL Energy is a consolidated subsidiary
of Rheinbraun.     
   
Quarterly Results of Operations     
   
The following table sets forth unaudited quarterly results for the eight
quarters ended December 31, 1998. The data set forth below have been derived
from unaudited consolidated financial statements of CONSOL Energy and have been
prepared on the same basis as CONSOL Energy's audited Consolidated Financial
Statements contained in this prospectus, and, in the opinion of management,
include all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary
for a fair presentation of such data for the periods presented. The data should
be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and
notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The operating results for any
quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.     
          
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                            Fiscal Quarter Ended
                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31,
                           1997      1997       1997          1997       1998      1998       1998          1998
                         --------- -------- ------------- ------------ --------- -------- ------------- ------------
<S>                      <C>       <C>      <C>           <C>          <C>       <C>      <C>           <C>
Revenue.................  587,587  564,291     583,613      614,147     601,152  558,820     557,541      632,479
Earnings before income
 taxes..................   48,480   65,315      41,913       77,968      86,902   54,883      21,343       49,354
Net income..............   36,443   48,985      34,456       63,905      66,391   39,946      18,360       49,940
</TABLE>    
   
CONSOL Energy has experienced, and expects to continue to experience,
fluctuations in its operating results on a quarterly basis. Factors that have
influenced and will continue to influence operating results include:     
     
  .  changes in weather patterns from year to year,     
     
  .  general economic conditions in the United States and abroad,     
     
  .  prices of competing fuels,     
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
 
     
  .  mining conditions, and     
     
  .  the timing of shipments to customers.     
   
However, CONSOL Energy does not believe that its business is affected by
seasonality.     
   
Results of Operations     
   
First Quarter 1999 Preliminary Results     
   
Our markets have been affected in 1999 by several factors.     
          
  .  Mild winter weather in the eastern United States dampened demand for
     coal by electricity generators, leaving utilities' coal inventories
     above planned levels.     
     
  .  Low prices for oil, certain petroleum by-products and natural gas led to
     increased use of these fuels by electricity generators.     
     
  .  Sales of U.S. steam coal in Europe were adversely affected by
     competition from other countries.     
     
  .  Annual negotiations of prices for metallurgical coal bound for overseas
     markets resulted in significant price reductions, causing some U.S.
     producers to elect to offer these coals as a steam coal in U.S. markets
     in an effort to obtain a higher price.     
   
Based upon preliminary results for January and February, we expect these
conditions to lower our net income for the first quarter of 1999 approximately
by 60% from net income for the first quarter of 1998. We have taken steps to
reduce the impact of these factors in later periods. We have announced that
       
  .  we will close one steam coal mine ahead of schedule--Powhatan No. 4,
            
  .  we temporarily idled three steam coal mines--Humphrey, Loveridge and
     Ohio No. 11, and     
     
  .  we temporarily idled one metallurgical coal mine--VP-8.     
   
These actions will reduce our costs and allow us to reduce coal inventory
levels at our mines.     
   
Our net income of $66 million for the first quarter of 1998 was the highest
that we have achieved for any single quarter. This compared to net income for
the first quarters of 1996 and 1997 of $38 million and $36 million. During the
first quarter of 1998, results benefitted from several factors including:     
     
  .  scheduled outages of nuclear generation in the Northeast and Midwest,
            
  .  increased shipments of coal to customers with opportunities to export
     power to Canada,     
     
  .  accelerated shipping schedules to customers who wished to build
     inventories early in the year,     
     
  .  a carry-over of export vessel-loadings that were originally scheduled
     for year-end 1997, and     
     
  .  a one-time payment received as the result of an agreement by which we
     were compensated for not mining certain coal reserves.     
         
       
          
1998 Compared with 1997     
          
Revenue. Sales increased 0.5% to $2,295 million for 1998 from $2,285 million
for 1997. The increase of $10 million primarily was due to an increase of $58
million in sales of company produced coal, partially offset by decreased sales
of industrial supplies of $42 million and decreased revenues from gas
operations of $3 million. Sales volumes of company produced coal for 1998
increased 3.5% over 1997 while coal prices for 1998 were comparable to those
for 1997. Sales of industrial supplies decreased mainly due to a loss of a
sales contract. Gas operations revenues decreased primarily due to a 12.7%
decrease in spot market prices.     
   
Other income, which consists of interest income, gain on the disposition of
assets, service income, royalty income, rental income and miscellaneous income,
decreased 15.3% to $55 million for 1998 compared with $64 million for 1997. The
decrease of $9 million was primarily due to a decrease in interest income
resulting from a lower level of investment in marketable securities and a
decrease in the gain on sale of assets. The decrease was partially offset by a
one-time payment received in 1998 pursuant to an agreement by which we were
compensated for not mining certain coal reserves.     
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
 
   
Costs. Cost of goods sold and other operating charges increased 0.1% to $1,595
million for 1998 from $1,592 million in 1997. Cost of goods sold increased due
to the 3.5% increase in sales volume of company produced coal. Cost per ton
produced decreased 2.3% due mainly to increased coal mine productivity
(calculated in tons per manday). This productivity increased 4.3% for 1998 from
1997. The productivity increase was driven, in part, by increases in production
at the McElroy mine, which completed installation of a new belt haulage system
at the end of 1997, and the Enlow Fork mine, which installed a new longwall
early in 1998. The increase in cost of goods sold was offset in part by
decreased industrial supply cost of sales.     
   
Selling, general and administrative expenses remained stable at $55 million for
1998 and 1997.     
   
Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased 2.3% to $239 million for
1998 compared with $233 million for 1997. The increase of $6 million was
primarily due to the increase in depreciation related to the assets acquired
with the Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company acquisition on September 22, 1998.
       
Interest expense increased 4.9% to $48 million in 1998 compared with $46
million in 1997. The increase of $2 million was primarily the result of higher
average principal balances outstanding during 1998 compared to 1997.     
   
Taxes other than income increased 6.5% to $201 million for 1998 compared with
$189 million for 1997. The increase of $12 million was primarily the result of
an increase in production related taxes due to increased production volumes. In
addition, the West Virginia Business Investment and Jobs Expansion Tax Credit
carryforward of $3 million utilized in 1997 was exhausted in 1998.     
   
Income Taxes. Income taxes decreased 24.1% to $38 million for 1998 compared to
$50 million in 1997. The $12 million decrease reflects decreased earnings in
1998 compared to 1997. The effective tax rate was 17.8% for 1998 compared to
21.3% for 1997. The decreased effective tax rate for 1998 resulted primarily
from an increase in percentage depletion.     
       
1997 Compared with 1996
   
Revenue. Sales decreased 2.2% to $2,285 million for 1997 compared with $2,336
million for 1996. The decrease of $51 million primarily was due to a decrease
of 1.8 million tons sold, or 2.4%, due to a decrease in the volume of U.S.
metallurgical and international steam coal sold, partially offset by an
improvement in average sales price per ton.     
 
Other income increased 4.9% to $64 million for 1997 compared with $61 million
for 1996. The increase of $3 million primarily was due to an increase in
royalty income from a coal lease in Kentucky that began generating revenue in
September 1996 and continued to generate revenue for the full year of 1997.
   
Costs. Cost of goods sold and other operating charges decreased 5.7% to $1,592
million for 1997 compared with $1,688 million for 1996 primarily as a result of
lower volume of CONSOL Energy-produced coal sold in 1997 and lower average
production costs per ton. Coal mine productivity increased 11.3% in 1997 from
1996, and nine mines set production records in 1997. The productivity
improvement is attributable mainly to investment in a longwall mining system at
Shoemaker, in underground coal haulage at McElroy, and in an underground
storage bunker at Buchanan.     
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 3.8% to $55 million for
1997 compared with $53 million for 1996. The increase of $2 million primarily
was due to an increase in salaries and related benefits.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased 0.9% to $233 million for
1997 compared with $235 million for 1996.
 
Interest expense increased 2.2% to $46 million for 1997 compared with $45
million for 1996. The increase of $1 million reflected interest charges related
to disputed coal royalty payments offset by lower average debt levels resulting
from the repayment of $44 million of long-term debt during 1997.
   
Taxes other than income increased 1.1% to $189 million for 1997 compared with
$187 million in 1996. The increase of $2 million resulted from increases in
severance taxes and required tax payments for black lung benefits, which arose
because of higher production. The increase in severance taxes also resulted
from the expiration in December 1996 of the West Virginia Business and Job
Expansion Tax Credit representing a portion of the tax credit that was carried
forward to 1997. The increase in taxes was partially offset by a reduction in
property tax expense as a result of mine closures.     
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
 
Income Taxes. Income taxes increased 38.9% to $50 million for 1997 compared
with $36 million for 1996. The increase of $14 million resulted primarily from
increased earnings and an increase in the effective tax rate from 19.1% in 1996
to 21.3% in 1997. The increased effective tax rate for 1997 primarily was
influenced by a decline in the impact of percentage depletion.
       
Liquidity and Capital Resources
   
CONSOL Energy generally has satisfied its working capital requirements and
funded its capital expenditures and debt-service obligations from cash
generated from operations. CONSOL Energy believes that cash generated from
operations and its borrowing capacity will be sufficient to meet its working
capital requirements, anticipated capital expenditures (other than major
acquisitions), scheduled debt payments and anticipated dividend payments for at
least the next several years. Nevertheless, the ability of CONSOL Energy to
satisfy its debt service obligations, to fund planned capital expenditures or
pay dividends will depend upon its future operating performance, which will be
affected by prevailing economic conditions in the coal industry and financial,
business and other factors, some of which are beyond CONSOL Energy's control.
       
CONSOL Energy frequently evaluates potential acquisitions. In the past, CONSOL
Energy has funded acquisitions primarily with cash generated from operations,
but CONSOL Energy may consider a variety of other sources, depending on the
size of any transaction, including debt or equity financing. There can be no
assurance that such additional capital resources will be available to CONSOL
Energy on terms which CONSOL Energy finds acceptable, or at all.     
   
Cash Flows     
   
Net cash provided by operating activities was $373 million in 1996, $428
million in 1997 and $395 million in 1998. The changes in net cash provided by
operating activities reflect increases in net income in 1996 and 1997 and
changes in certain working capital requirements.     
   
Net cash used in investing activities was $251 million in 1996 and $236 million
in 1998. Net cash provided by investing activities was $52 million in 1997. The
change in net cash used in investing activities from 1996 to 1997 reflects the
liquidation of marketable securities primarily to finance the extraordinary
dividend of $380 million paid in 1997. The change in net cash used in investing
activities from 1997 to 1998 reflects a decrease in liquidation of marketable
securities from 1997 and the expenditure, net of cash acquired, for the
acquisition of Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company, as well as a $54 million
increase in capital expenditures in 1998 from 1997.     
   
Net cash used in financing activities was $119 million in 1996, $501 million in
1997 and $147 million in 1998. The extraordinary dividend paid in 1997 was the
primary reason net cash used in financing activities increased in 1997 from
1996. Net cash used in financing activities decreased in 1998 from 1997 due to
increased reliance on proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper and the
decrease in dividends reflecting the extraordinary dividend paid in 1997. This
decrease was offset by CONSOL Energy's expenditure to purchase shares of its
common stock from DuPont Energy.     
 
Capital Expenditures
   
Capital expenditures were approximately $169 million in 1996, $201 million in
1997 and $255 million in 1998. CONSOL Energy made such expenditures for
replacement of mining equipment, the expansion of mining capacity and projects
to improve the efficiency of mining operations. In 1998, CONSOL Energy spent
approximately $150 million for the acquisition of Rochester & Pittsburgh and
$50 million to repay certain indebtedness of Rochester & Pittsburgh. CONSOL
Energy used cash generated from operations and cash made available from the
issuance of commercial paper to fund capital expenditures in 1998, the
acquisition of Rochester & Pittsburgh and the repayment of indebtedness of
Rochester & Pittsburgh. CONSOL Energy anticipates making capital expenditures
of approximately $240 million during 1999 and approximately $280 million during
2000, primarily for maintenance and replacement of mining equipment and
operations. Capital expenditures for pollution abatement and reclamation
currently are projected to be $5 million for 1999, $6 million for 2000 and $4
million for 2001. CONSOL Energy expects to fund its anticipated capital
expenditures with cash generated by operations and the issuance of commercial
paper.     
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
 
Debt
   
At December 31, 1998, CONSOL Energy had total long-term debt of $431 million,
including current portion of long-term debt of $116 million. Such long-term
debt consisted of:     
     
  .  an aggregate principal amount of $256 million of unsecured notes which
     bear interest at rates ranging from 7.88% to 8.28% per annum and are due
     at various dates between 1999 and 2007,     
     
  .  an aggregate principal amount of $103 million of two series of
     industrial revenue bonds which were issued in order to finance CONSOL
     Energy's Baltimore port facility and bear interest at the rate of 6.5%
     per annum and mature in 2010 and 2011,     
     
  .  an aggregate principal amount of $15 million of variable rate notes due
     at various dates through 2001,     
     
  .  $27 million in advance royalty commitments,     
     
  .  an aggregate principal amount of $5 million of notes maturing at various
     dates through 2031 and     
     
  .  an aggregate principal amount of $25 million of capital leases.     
   
An aggregate principal amount of $116 million in long-term debt will come due
during 1999. In addition, at December 31, 1998, CONSOL Energy had an aggregate
principal amount of $552 million of commercial paper outstanding which had
maturities ranging up to 90 days and bore interest at rates ranging from 5.70%
to 6.19% per annum.     
          
CONSOL Energy currently has credit facilities available to it under which it
may borrow up to $800 million in the aggregate less the outstanding principal
amount of commercial paper. At December 31, 1998, there were no borrowings
outstanding under the credit facilities. To date, CONSOL Energy has used these
credit facilities to support the payment of its commercial paper. However,
CONSOL Energy could borrow amounts available under the credit facilities for
other purposes. Borrowings under this facility bear interest based on the
London Interbank Offer Rate or the Prime Rate at CONSOL Energy's option. Funds
may be borrowed for periods ranging from one to 360 days, depending upon the
interest rate selected by CONSOL Energy.     
       
Stockholders' Equity and Dividends
   
CONSOL Energy had stockholders' equity of $303 million at December 31, 1997 and
$(103) million at December 31, 1998. CONSOL Energy paid ordinary cash dividends
of $80 million during each of 1996, 1997 and 1998. CONSOL Energy also paid an
extraordinary cash dividend to its stockholders of $380 million in 1997. The
Board of Directors currently intends to pay quarterly dividends on the common
stock. It is expected that the first quarterly dividend to be declared and paid
on common stock issued in this offering will be $.27 per share, an annual rate
of $1.08 per share. CONSOL Energy anticipates declaring and paying this
dividend in the third quarter of 1999. Before this offering, CONSOL Energy
intends to declare a dividend of $22.5 million payable to its current
stockholders in the second quarter of 1999. Purchasers of common stock issued
in this offering will not receive this dividend. Current outstanding
indebtedness of CONSOL Energy does not restrict CONSOL Energy's ability to pay
cash dividends.     
 
Accruals for Certain Long-Term Liabilities
   
CONSOL Energy has accrued for the costs it will incur in the future to satisfy
certain obligations. CONSOL Energy had accrued $2,460 million, $2,433 million
and $2,597 million at December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 for deferred credits and
other liabilities. These accruals are chiefly comprised of post retirement
health care benefits, workers' compensation, black lung benefits and costs
associated with closing mines. These obligations are unfunded. The accruals of
these items are based on estimates of future liabilities, which estimates are
periodically reviewed in light of CONSOL Energy's experience, changes in mining
plans and legislation and other developments. Thus, from time to time, CONSOL
Energy's results of operations may be significantly affected by changes to such
deferred credits and other liabilities. See Notes 14 and 15 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.     
   
We provide medical and life insurance benefits to retired employees not covered
by the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992. Substantially all
employees who have worked under the National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement may
become eligible for these benefits if they have worked ten years and attained
the age of 55. The associated plans are unfunded. CONSOL Energy had accrued
$1,144 million, $1,145 million and $1,244 million at December 31, 1996, 1997
and 1998, respectively. The amounts expensed for post retirement benefits     
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
 
   
plans were $54 million, $61 million and $79 million during 1996, 1997 and 1998,
respectively. CONSOL Energy used a 7% annual rate increase in per capita cost
of covered health care benefits in determining such costs for 1998. CONSOL
Energy had assumed that the rate of such increases will gradually decline to
4.5% in 2003 and remain level thereafter. An increase in the assumed health
care cost trend rates by 1% in each year would increase the accumulated post
retirement benefit obligation at December 31, 1998 by $167 million and increase
the aggregate of the service and interest cost component of net cost of
maintaining our post retirement benefits plan for 1998 by $12 million.     
   
We are is required to pay black lung benefits to eligible employees and former
employees and their dependents under the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1969 and
the Black Lung Benefits Revenue Act of 1977 and the Black Lung Benefits Reform
Act of 1977. We also are liable under various state statutes for pneumoconiosis
claims. CONSOL Energy provides self-insured accruals for present and future
liabilities for such benefits and determines such liabilities by employing the
projected unit credit method. Under this method, the costs determined by the
actuarial study are amortized over the employees' requisite service periods.
CONSOL Energy amortizes the actuarial gains and losses over the remainder of
the average service life of the employees, which approximates 14.8 years.
CONSOL Energy had accrued $518 million, $511 million and $492 million for such
benefits at December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998. The cost of providing such
benefits was $12 million and $4 million during 1996 and 1997. The impact of
these costs was not significant in 1998. Actual claims paid by CONSOL Energy
could change significantly if current legislation is amended or if new
legislation is enacted. See "Regulation--Black Lung Legislation" and Note 15 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.     
   
CONSOL Energy estimates and accrues for costs associated with closing mines and
the perpetual care of mines over the productive life of mines on a units-of-
production basis. CONSOL Energy had accrued $244 million, $250 million and $297
million at December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 for such costs.     
   
CONSOL Energy accrues for workers' compensation claims resulting from traumatic
injuries based on historical claims rates and periodically adjusts these
estimates based on the estimated costs of claims made. CONSOL Energy had
accrued $215 million, $211 million and $254 million at December 31, 1996, 1997
and 1998 for such costs.     
 
 
Inflation
   
Inflation in the United States has been relatively low in recent years and did
not have a material impact on CONSOL Energy's results of operations for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 or 1998.     
   
Financial Instruments Market Risk     
   
CONSOL Energy's interest expense is sensitive to changes in the general level
of interest rates in the United States. At December 31, 1998, CONSOL Energy had
outstanding $391.1 million aggregate principal amount of debt under fixed-rate
instruments and $566.7 million aggregate principal amount of debt under
variable-rate instruments. CONSOL Energy's primary exposure to market risk for
changes in interest rates relates to its commercial paper program. At December
31, 1998, we had an aggregate of $551.7 million in commercial paper
outstanding. Our commercial paper bore interest at an average rate of 6.1% per
annum during 1998. A 100 basis-point increase in the average rate for CONSOL
Energy's commercial paper would have decreased CONSOL Energy's 1998 net income
by approximately $3.3 million. The fair value of CONSOL Energy's financial
instruments is set forth in Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.     
   
Almost all of CONSOL Energy's transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars,
and, as a result, it does not have material exposure to currency exchange-rate
risks.     
   
CONSOL Energy does not engage in any interest rate, foreign currency exchange
rate or commodity price hedging transactions.     
 
Impact of Year 2000 Issue
   
The year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs being written using two
digits rather than four to define the applicable year. Any of CONSOL Energy's
computer programs or hardware that have date-sensitive software or embedded
chips may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year
2000. The failure to correct any such programs or hardware could result in
system failures or miscalculations causing disruptions of     
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
 
   
operations, including, among other things, a temporary inability to process
transactions, send invoices or engage in similar normal business activities.
Based on recent assessments, CONSOL Energy has determined that it will be
required to modify or replace some portions of its software, and, to a lesser
extent, its hardware so that those systems will properly utilize dates beyond
December 31, 1999. CONSOL Energy believes that with modification and
replacement of existing software and hardware, the year 2000 issue can be
substantially mitigated. However, if such modifications and replacements are
not made, or are not completed on a timely basis, which CONSOL Energy currently
does not anticipate, the year 2000 issue could have a material impact on the
operations of CONSOL Energy.     
   
CONSOL Energy's plan to resolve year 2000 issues involves four phases:
assessment, remediation, testing and implementation. In September 1997, CONSOL
Energy formed a committee to address this issue. The committee has completed
its assessment of all material information technology systems that would be
affected by the year 2000 issue if not modified and has initiated a program to
modify or replace portions of its software so that CONSOL Energy's computer
systems will function properly in the year 2000 and thereafter. To date, CONSOL
Energy is 87% complete on the remediation and testing phase of the systems.
CONSOL Energy expects software reprogramming and replacement, testing and
implementation to be completed by the second quarter of 1999.     
   
CONSOL Energy is in the process of assessing its operating equipment that uses
microprocessors to determine the extent that they are at risk for year 2000
problems. This equipment includes coal mining, processing and loadout
equipment. The remediation of operating equipment depends primarily on the
manufacturers of that equipment for modifications. CONSOL Energy is also in the
process of assessing the extent to which its suppliers of other products and
services will be able to supply CONSOL Energy through the year 2000. CONSOL
Energy has initiated formal communications with all of its significant
equipment vendors and other suppliers. CONSOL Energy has not obtained
timetables of expected completion dates of modification, testing and
implementation from all of the vendors and suppliers. CONSOL Energy does not
control its suppliers and vendors, but is attempting to have such timetables
submitted in the first quarter of 1999. The effect on CONSOL Energy's
operations of not having these systems remediated, while not estimable at this
time, could be significant.     
   
CONSOL Energy conducts transactions that interface directly with systems of
suppliers and customers. There is no guarantee that the systems of other
companies on which CONSOL Energy's systems rely will be timely converted and
would not have an adverse effect on CONSOL Energy's systems. Furthermore, there
can be no assurance that CONSOL Energy's suppliers will not experience material
business disruptions that could affect CONSOL Energy as a result of the year
2000 problem. CONSOL Energy plans to complete communications with important
suppliers and customers, which do not have system interfaces, as to their year
2000 readiness in the first quarter of 1999. The communications to date from
such third parties to CONSOL Energy's inquiries do not indicate that these
third parties expect, at this time, to be non-compliant by the year 2000 based
on their progress to date. However, the inability of a substantial number of
third parties to complete their year 2000 resolution process could materially
impact CONSOL Energy. For example, the failure to be year 2000 compliant by
banks with whom CONSOL Energy has material banking relationships could cause
significant disruptions in CONSOL Energy's ability to make payments, deposit
funds and make investments, which could have a material adverse effect on
CONSOL Energy's financial condition.     
   
CONSOL Energy is utilizing both internal and external resources to reprogram or
replace, test and implement the software and operating equipment for year 2000
modifications. The total cost of the year 2000 project is estimated to be less
than $2 million and is being expensed as incurred and funded through operating
cash flows. Since September of 1996 CONSOL Energy has expensed $560,000 related
to all phases of the year 2000 project. In 1999, CONSOL Energy expects to
expense $662,000 on year 2000 related activities.     
   
CONSOL Energy has not established contingency plans in case of failure of its
information technology systems since it expects to have its material systems in
place by the second quarter of 1999. In connection with CONSOL Energy's
assessment of third party readiness and operating equipment, in the first
quarter of 1999 CONSOL Energy will evaluate the necessity of contingency plans
based on the level of uncertainty regarding such compliance. In the event
CONSOL Energy's intermediaries or vendors do not expect to be year 2000
compliant, CONSOL Energy's contingency plan may include replacing such
intermediaries or vendors or conducting the particular operations itself.     
   
CONSOL Energy plans to complete the year 2000 modifications are based on
management's best estimates, which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions
of future events including the continued availability of certain resources, and
other factors. Estimates on the status of completion and the expected
completion dates are based     
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
 
   
on progress to date compared to the timetable established by its year 2000
committee. CONSOL Energy has not employed the services of independent
contractors to verify CONSOL Energy's assessment and estimates related to the
year 2000 problem. There can be no guarantee that these estimates will be
achieved and actual results could differ materially from these plans. Specific
factors that might cause such material differences include, but are not limited
to, the availability and cost of personnel trained in this area, the ability to
locate and correct all relevant computer codes and similar uncertainties.     
   
CONSOL Energy believes that it is difficult to fully assess the risks of the
year 2000 issue due to numerous uncertainties surrounding the issue. Management
believes that the primary risks are external to CONSOL Energy and relate to the
year 2000 readiness of customers, suppliers, transportation suppliers such as
railroads, barge lines, terminal operators, ocean vessel brokers, and others.
In the worst case scenario, CONSOL Energy's utility customers may not purchase
coal if their generators fail to operate, CONSOL Energy may not be able to
access its bank accounts or receive payments and its transportation providers
may not be able to make timely coal shipments to customers. CONSOL Energy's
mines and processing plants are highly mechanized and employ equipment that
incorporates microprocessing chips. The failure of such embedded chips in
critical equipment due to the year 2000 problem could cause significant coal
mining and processing disruptions.     
   
The inability of CONSOL Energy or such third parties to adequately address the
year 2000 issues on a timely basis could result in a material financial risk,
including loss of revenue, substantial unanticipated costs and service
interruptions. Accordingly, CONSOL Energy plans to devote the resources it
concludes are appropriate to address all significant year 2000 issues in a
timely manner.     
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
          
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities" was issued which establishes accounting procedures for derivative
instruments including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts and hedging activities. This statement amends SFAS No. 52, "Foreign
Currency Translation" to permit special accounting for a hedge of a foreign
currency forecasted transaction with a derivative. It supersedes SFAS No. 80,
"Accounting for Futures Contracts, SFAS No. 105, Disclosure of Information
about Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk and Financial
Instruments with Concentrations of Credit Risk", SFAS No. 119 "Disclosure about
Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments." It
also amends SFAS No. 107, "Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial
Instruments" to include the disclosure provisions about concentration of credit
risk from Statement 105. No effect from this adoption is anticipated.     
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
 
                             
                          Coal Industry Overview     
 
Coal is one of the world's major energy sources. The International Energy
Agency estimates that nearly 20% of the world's total primary energy supply
came from coal in 1996. In most parts of the world, coal is primarily used for
the generation of electricity. World-wide, coal combustion accounted for 37% of
the generation of electricity in 1996. In the United States, coal combustion
accounted for 57% of electricity generation in 1997.
 
The major coal producers in the world are China, the United States, Russia,
Ukraine, India, Australia and South Africa. More than 60 countries produce
coal. The United States has the largest reserve base, with an estimated 29% of
the world's recoverable bituminous and subbituminous coal reserves, followed by
Russia, China, India, South Africa and Australia.
 
U.S. Coal Markets
   
Production of coal in the United States has increased from 434 million tons in
1960 to 1.1 billion tons in 1997. The following table shows actual consumption
of U.S. produced coal during 1996 and 1997, estimated consumption for 1998 and
projected consumption through 2015.     
                 
              Historical and Projected U.S. Coal Consumption     
 
                        -------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Compound
                                                                                    Annual
                                                                                    Growth
                                                                                      Rate
                                                                                     1996-
Sector                       1996    1997   1998E   2000P   2005P   2010P   2015P     2015
- ------                    ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- --------
in millions of tons
<S>                       <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Utility.................    873.2   899.8   929.1   979.3  1027.9 1,050.6 1,070.6      1.1%
Industrial..............     68.2    68.2    67.8    67.7    67.9    66.1    66.5     (0.1)
Non-utility generators..     22.1    23.0    23.7    24.8    29.3    38.3    49.8      4.4
Coke plants/steel mills
  Metallurgical
   quality..............     31.7    31.0    31.1    30.2    19.2    18.4    15.2     (3.8)
  Steam quality.........      5.0     7.2     8.2     9.2    15.4    15.8    17.9      6.9
                          ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
    Total domestic......  1,000.2 1,029.2 1,059.9 1,111.2 1,159.8 1,189.2 1,220.0      1.1
                          ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Export..................     90.9    83.5    78.9    76.3    74.5    75.4    77.0     (0.9)
                          ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
    Total...............  1,091.1 1,112.7 1,138.8 1,187.5 1,234.3 1,264.6 1,297.0      0.9%
                          ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>    
- --------
Source: RDI, Outlook for Coal, Winter 1998-1999.
 
Generation of Electricity
 
Coal is the predominant fuel used in the generation of electricity. Over the
past 20 years, generators of electricity have increased consumption of coal
from less than 500 million tons per year in 1977 to almost 900 million tons in
1997. Coal's share of the fuel market for electricity generation has risen from
46% to 57% during that period. The increase in consumption was due in part to
changes in attitudes toward fuel supply security following the Arab oil
embargoes during the 1970s. More important, coal has a low delivered cost
relative to other competing fuels. The following table shows a comparison of
the average generating costs of electricity for each primary fuel.
               
            Average Production Costs of Electricity Generation     
 
                                                                    -----------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 $/megawatt Hour
<S>                                                              <C>
Coal............................................................     $17.40
Natural Gas.....................................................     $33.67
Nuclear.........................................................     $20.02
Hydro...........................................................     $ 0.65
</TABLE>
- --------
   
Source: RDI Database, September 14, 1998.     
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
 
On average, coal-fired electricity generation is less expensive than generation
from natural gas or nuclear power. Hydro-electric power is inexpensive but
cannot grow due to a lack of suitable new dam sites.
 
RDI expects generators of electricity to increase their demand for coal as
demand for electricity increases. Because coal-fired generation is used in most
cases to meet base-load requirements, coal consumption has generally grown at
the pace of growth in demand for electricity. The base-load requirement of a
power generator is the amount of power that is required 24 hours a day. This is
compared to peak requirements that only occur at times during a day when
electricity demand is at its greatest.
 
The following table shows fuel source comparisons for the generation of
electricity in terms of kilowatts generated.
                  
               Domestic Electricity Fuel Sources Comparison     
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 ----------------
                                                                 1990  1996  1997
                                                                 ----  ----  ----
<S>                                                              <C>   <C>   <C>
Coal............................................................  55%   56%   57%
Nuclear.........................................................  21    22    20
Hydro...........................................................  10    11    11
Natural Gas.....................................................   9     9     9
Other...........................................................   5     2     3
<CAPTION>
                                                                 ----  ----  ----
<S>                                                              <C>   <C>   <C>
Total........................................................... 100%  100%  100%
<CAPTION>
                                                                 ====  ====  ====
</TABLE>
- --------
Source: Department of Energy, EIA Monthly Energy Review, February 1998.
 
Exports
   
Current world seaborne trade in hard coal is about 480 million tons, with about
61% used to generate heat and produce steam, and about 39% used in steel-making
processes. Of the world's coal producing countries, only the United States,
Australia and South Africa are significant exporters. Prior to 1984, the United
States was the world's leading exporter of coal, but in the past 15 years that
role has diminished and traditional markets for U.S. coal exports have changed.
In general, the United States is a swing producer of coal for international
markets. Higher labor costs and transportation costs in the United States tend
to make U.S. coals less competitive when ample supplies of coal from other
producing areas are available. When supplies are restricted, for example
because of a strike of workers in a producing country, U.S. coal tends to fill
the gap because of the ability of U.S. producers to ship large amounts of coal
on short notice. The quality of U.S. coals, particularly the heat content, ash
and coking capabilities of Appalachian coals, and the well developed
transportation infrastructure in the East, are advantages for the United
States. CONSOL Energy believes that its high-Btu, low ash coals from northern
Appalachia and CONSOL Energy's control of a major export terminal at Baltimore
position it to take advantage of steam coal market opportunities overseas when
they occur.     
   
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the United States exported 83.5
million tons of coal in 1997. The most coal ever exported by the United States
was in 1981 when exports reached 112.5 million tons. Since 1990, exports have
averaged 90.7 million tons per year. More than 98% of the coal exported by the
United States is bituminous coal, most of which is mined in northern and
central Appalachia. The remainder of the coal exported is anthracite and
lignite. In 1997, Canada (14.5 million tons), Japan (7.9 million tons), and
Brazil (7.5 million tons) were the three largest purchasers of U.S. coal.     
 
Metallurgical coal historically has been the principal type of coal exported
from the United States. In 1997, more than 63% of the coal exported was
bituminous, metallurgical-grade coal used in steel making. The remainder of the
coal was used for the generation of electricity, cement making and other
industrial processes. Major international purchasers of U.S. metallurgical
coals are Brazil, Canada, Japan, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium and France.
   
CONSOL Energy expects growth over the long term in steel making and
metallurgical coal consumption in Brazil, India, Korea and Taiwan to offset a
slight decline in metallurgical coal use in Europe. CONSOL Energy believes that
increased steel production in these countries will lead to increased
metallurgical coal consumption. Europe will continue to be a primary market for
U.S. metallurgical coal because of the transportation advantage U.S. coals     
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
 
   
have over coals from Canada or Australia. In addition, aging European coke
ovens increasingly will need high quality, low-expansion coals which produce
high carbon content and low porous structure coke. These features are common in
CONSOL Energy's low-volatile metallurgical coal produced in Virginia. In
addition, CONSOL Energy expects its premium low-volatile metallurgical coal to
continue to play an important role in the coking coal blends of the future.
These coals enhance the strength of the coke produced. This is particularly
important to large blast furnaces operated with low coke rates and with high
pulverized-coal, oil or gas injection rates.     
 
Coal Imports
   
Coal imports into the United States represent a small percentage of the total
U.S. market for coal. In 1997, total consumption of coal in the United States
was 1,112.7 million tons while imports of coal from overseas were 7.4 million
tons, or 0.7%. The largest exporter of coal to the United States was Colombia
with 3.0 million tons in 1997. Imported coal typically competes only in coastal
markets in the eastern United States.     
 
Coal Production
 
U.S. coal production was a record 1,088.6 million tons in 1997. During 1996,
the most recent year for which complete data is available, bituminous coal
accounted for 59% of production, subbituminous coal accounted for 32%, lignite
accounted for 8% and anthracite accounted for 1%.
 
The following table shows principal U.S. production statistics for the period
1990 to 1997.
                           
                        U.S. Production Statistics     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Category                     1990     1991     1992     1993     1994     1995     1996     1997(1)
- --------                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Total Tons (in
 millions)..............  1,026.3    995.9    997.5    945.4  1,033.5  1,032.9  1,063.8  1,088.6
Percentage of Total Tons
 East...................     61.2%    59.3%    59.0%    54.5%    54.8%    52.7%    52.9%    53.0%
 West...................     38.8     40.7     41.0     45.5     45.2     47.3     47.1     47.0
 Underground............     41.3     40.9     40.8     37.1     38.6     38.4     38.5     38.5
 Surface................     58.7     59.1     59.2     62.9     61.4     61.6     61.5     61.5
Number of Mines
 Total..................    3,430    3,022    2,746    2,475    2,354    2,104    1,903    1,810
 Underground............    1,690    1,489    1,354    1,196    1,143      977      885      810
 Surface................    1,740    1,533    1,392    1,279    1,211    1,127    1,018    1,000
Number of Mine Employees
 Total..................  131,306  120,602  110,196  101,322   97,590   90,252   83,462   78,000
 Underground............   84,154   78,050   70,907   64,604   61,652   57,879   53,796   51,000
 Surface................   47,152   42,552   39,289   36,718   35,938   32,373   29,666   27,000
Average Production per
 Mine
 (in thousands of tons)
 Total..................      300      330      363      382      439      491      559   N.A.(2)
 Underground............      251      273      301      268      349      406      463   N.A.(2)
 Surface................      347      384      424      465      524      565      642   N.A.(2)
</TABLE>    
- --------
Source: U.S. Department of Energy/Energy Information Agency/National Mining
Association
   
(1) Preliminary data.     
   
(2) Information was not available at the date of this prospectus.     
   
U.S. coal production increased 5.7% from 1990 to 1997, while the number of
operating mines declined 47.2% during the same period. In part, this reflected
a shift from smaller, high-cost operations to larger, more efficient,
technologically advanced, lower-cost operations. In particular, the production
attributable to large, capital intensive underground mines in the East and
large surface mines in the Powder River Basin in the West has grown. The cost
structure of these mines has contributed to a steady decline in steam coal
prices that has allowed coal to maintain more than half of the market in the
United States for fuel used in generating electricity.     
 
Mining Methods
 
Coal is mined by underground or surface methods depending upon several factors,
including the location of the coal seam and the geology of the surrounding
area. In general, coal that is more than 200 feet below the
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
 
surface is mined by underground, or "deep" mining methods. Seams closer to the
surface are extracted by surface mining.
   
Underground mining accounted for 39% of total U.S. coal production in 1997.
There are two principal methods of underground mining: continuous mining, which
accounted for 45% of underground coal produced in 1997, and longwall mining,
which accounted for 47% of underground coal produced in 1997. These methods of
mining are illustrated by the pictures appearing in the inside front cover page
of this prospectus. In continuous mining, coal is mined by the room-and-pillar
system. Continuous mining involves the excavation of a series of "rooms" into
the coal seam, leaving "pillars" or columns of coal to help support the mine
roof. Mining conditions in certain areas may allow the coal pillars to be
extracted during the "retreat" phase of mining. A mining machine called a
continuous miner tears at the coal in the seam. Typically, the coal is loaded
onto shuttle cars which transport the coal to a conveyor belt or to rail cars
for transport to the surface. The use of shuttle cars to transport coal from
the "section" where mining is taking place to the belt or rail transportation
system, is a bottleneck in the production cycle and results in lost mining time
at the coal seam while the continuous miner waits for shuttle cars to remove
the coal from the working area.     
 
Where geology is favorable, the most efficient method of underground extraction
of coal is with longwall mining systems. With these systems, two sets of
parallel "entries" up to 10,000 feet in length are excavated by continuous
miners on either side of a block of coal to be mined by the longwall equipment.
The entries are joined together at the far end by crosscuts in the coal. The
block of coal thus outlined is called a "panel," and the 1000-1200 foot
dimension of the panel (hence the name "longwall") is referred to as the "face"
where the longwall mining machine will begin cutting coal. A rotating shearer
on a mining machine moves back and forth across the width of the face, cutting
and transporting coal from the face in one operation. The longwall machine has
its own moveable electro-hydraulic roof supports that are advanced down the
length of the block of coal as the shearer cuts the coal away. This method of
mining removes all the coal in the panel without leaving coal in place for roof
support. Mining by longwall methods has revolutionized underground mining
operations in the last 20 years. Over that period, the share of coal mined
underground by longwall mining machines has increased from less than 10% to
47%.
 
Surface mining consists of the following operations: removal of the covering
layer of rock and soil, called overburden, extraction of the coal using power
shovels, which load the coal into trucks to transport the coal from the "pit,"
backfilling the excavation with earth, and restoring the site to its
approximate original vegetation and appearance. In smaller surface mines,
bulldozers and front-end loaders are often used to remove overburden. Front-end
loaders can also be used to load coal.
 
After mining, coal often is prepared for shipment in a preparation plant. This
facility utilizes sizing, gravity, centrifugal force and chemical baths to
separate the coal from the non-combustible rock material. This cleaning process
upgrades the quality and heat value of the coal by removing or reducing pyritic
sulfur deposits, rock, clay and other non-combustible, ash producing material.
After cleaning, coal is transported to the customer immediately or stored on
the ground or in large, concrete silos for transportation to customers later.
 
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
 
Coal Producing Regions
 
Coal is mined from coalfields throughout the United States, with the major
production centers located in northern Appalachia, central Appalachia, the
Illinois Basin, the Powder River Basin and in other western coalfields.
   
[Map showing the location of major coal producing basins in the United States]
    
Northern Appalachia
   
Medium- and high-sulfur coal is found in the northern Appalachia coalfields of
western Pennsylvania, southeastern Ohio and northern West Virginia. Production
in the region was approximately 154 million tons in 1997, up from 147 million
tons in 1996. In 1997, 121 million tons were sold to electric utilities. Coal
production has increased slightly in recent years and production has shifted
from high-cost, inefficient, low-volume operations to lower cost, more
efficient, high-volume operations. As a result, much of the production in this
region is concentrated in a few highly productive longwall mining operations in
southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. The coal from northern
Appalachia has a heat content ranging from 12,500 to 13,000 Btus per pound and
generally has medium- to high-sulfur content.     
 
Coal producers in southwestern Pennsylvania enjoy strong competitive advantages
for markets within the state, due to the proximity of many power plants to the
coal producing region. Power plants located along the Monongahela and Ohio
rivers have access to a wide variety of coals, particularly those produced in
West Virginia.
 
Two other markets in which southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia
coal producers enjoy a transportation advantage are utility companies with
plants in New York and Maryland that can burn medium- to high-sulfur coal and
are served by railroads. Railroads also offer this coal good access into Ohio
and other Great Lake states.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
 
Central Appalachia
The central Appalachia region includes coalfields in eastern Kentucky,
southwestern Virginia and central and southern West Virginia. Production in
central Appalachia was 288 million tons in 1997 compared with 279 million tons
in 1996. In 1997, 175 million tons produced in central Appalachia were sold to
electric utilities principally in the southeast United States. Central
Appalachia operations also sell to the export market and to industrial
customers. Geologic conditions in central Appalachia led to the creation of
over 100 significant coalbeds, 60 of which currently are mined. A variety of
mining techniques are used as seams are found on mountaintops and below valley
floors. The coal from central Appalachia has an average heat content of 12,500
Btus per pound and generally has low-sulfur content.
 
The southeast United States has significant potential for the growth of coal
demand. Much of the demand growth in the 1980s was attributable to new coal-
fired power plants. At the same time, however, nuclear plants were being
brought on-line by some utilities. Thus, some utilities were reducing the use
of existing coal plants because of new nuclear plants while other utilities
were increasing coal burn because of new plants. The result is that some
utilities have excess coal-fired capacity despite the growth of electricity
demand over the past ten years.
 
Illinois Basin
The Illinois Basin is located under most of Illinois, western Indiana and
western Kentucky. Production in the basin was 112 million tons in 1997 and in
1996. In 1997, 103 million tons were sold to electric utilities. With the
depletion of surface minable reserves, mining today is predominantly done
underground. Coal production in the area has experienced significant
consolidation in the past several years. The Illinois Basin is a declining
production center due to the region's relatively high-sulfur coal and
competition from lower-sulfur western coal. Production in the Illinois Basin
peaked at 141 million tons in both 1984 and 1990. Since 1990, production has
decreased by 20%. In 1996, production stabilized in several of the Illinois
Basin's sub-regions, including central Illinois, due to stabilized demand and
limited capacity. The coal from the Illinois Basin has a heat content ranging
from 10,000 to 12,000 Btus per pound and generally has medium- to high-sulfur
content.
 
The principal utility markets for Illinois Basin coal are the rail- or truck-
served plants located within the coal producing states of Illinois, Indiana,
and Kentucky that comprise the region and in the neighboring states of
Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin. Barge-served plants on the lower Ohio,
Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, as well as a few plants in
Florida and along the Gulf Intracoastal waterway are also important markets.
 
The close proximity of the Illinois Basin to the mouth of the Ohio, Tennessee
and Cumberland rivers and the Port of New Orleans provides the region with
several advantages in serving its primary markets when compared to Northern
Appalachia or other high sulfur producing regions. A shorter transit time for
western Kentucky and southern Illinois coal to these markets minimizes transit
costs.
 
Powder River Basin
The Powder River Basin is located in northeastern Wyoming and southeastern
Montana. Production in 1997 was 306 million tons compared with 299 million tons
in 1996. In 1997, 306 million tons were sold to electric utilities. Quality
varies between lignite and subbituminous coals, with current production of
subbituminous coal averaging 9,100 Btus per pound and 0.5% sulfur in Montana,
to 8,600 Btus per pound and 0.3% sulfur in Wyoming.
 
Western Bituminous Coal Regions
   
The western bituminous coal regions include the Hanna Basin in Wyoming, the
Uinta Basin of northwestern Colorado and Utah, the San Juan Basin in New Mexico
and Colorado and the Raton Basin in southern Colorado. Production in 1997 was
116 million tons compared with 110 million tons in 1996. In 1997, 95 million
tons were sold to electric utilities. These regions produce high quality, low-
sulfur steam coal for selected markets in the region, for export through West
Coast ports and for shipments to some Midwestern power plants for which Powder
River Basin's subbituminous coals are not suitable. Coal from the western
bituminous coal region has a heat content ranging from 9,000 to 11,500 Btus per
pound and generally has low-sulfur content.     
 
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
 
Coal Characteristics
 
There are four types of coal: anthracite, bituminous, subbituminous and
lignite. Each has characteristics that make it more or less qualified for
different end uses. In general, coal is characterized by end use as either
"steam coal" or "metallurgical coal." Steam coal is used by utilities for
electricity generation and by industrial activities to produce steam,
electricity, or both. Metallurgical coal is converted into coke, which is used
in the production of steel. Heat value, sulfur content and transportation costs
are the most important variables in the marketing of steam coal.
 
Heat Value
The heat value of coal is commonly measured in British thermal units, or Btus.
Coal found in the eastern and midwestern regions of the United States tends to
have a heat content ranging from 10,000 to 14,000 Btus per pound. Most coal
found in the western United States yields less than 11,000 Btus per pound. By
comparison, one barrel of crude oil contains between 4.8 million and 5.4
million Btus and one cubic foot of natural gas contains between 950 and 1,050
Btus.
 
Anthracite coal has a heat content as high as 15,000 Btus per pound. A limited
amount of anthracite deposits is located primarily in northeastern
Pennsylvania, and is used primarily for industrial and home heating purposes.
 
Bituminous coal has a heat content that ranges from 10,500 to 14,000 Btus per
pound. This coal is located primarily in Appalachia, the midwestern United
States, Colorado, Arizona and Utah, and is the type most commonly used for
electric power generation in the United States. Bituminous coal is used for
utility and industrial steam purposes, and as a feedstock for coke.
 
Subbituminous coal has a heat content that ranges from 7,800 to 9,500 Btus per
pound. Most subbituminous reserves are located in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado,
New Mexico, Washington and Alaska. Subbituminous coal is used almost
exclusively by electric utilities and some industrial consumers.
 
Lignite has a heat content that generally ranges from 6,500 to 8,300 Btus per
pound. Major lignite operations are located in Texas, North Dakota, Montana and
Louisiana. Lignite is used almost exclusively in power plants located adjacent
to or near such mines because any significant transportation costs, coupled
with mining costs, would render its use uneconomical.
 
Sulfur
The sulfur content of a coal deposit can vary from seam to seam and within each
seam. When coal is burned, it produces sulfur dioxide, a regulated pollutant,
the amount of which varies depending upon the chemical composition and the
concentration of sulfur in the coal. Low-sulfur coal has a variety of
definitions, but it generally refers to coal with a sulfur content of 1% or
less by weight.
   
During the past two decades, air quality laws have created some market
advantages for lower-sulfur coals by imposing restrictions on the amount of
sulfur dioxide that can be released into the atmosphere when coal is burned.
The restrictions usually require high-sulfur coal users to install scrubbers or
to buy pollution allowances under the Clean Air Act. CONSOL believes that
future demand for coal will be influenced by the heat content of the coal and
by the proximity of the coal to major electricity generating stations more than
by the sulfur content of the coal.     
 
Ash
Ash is the inorganic residue remaining after combustion of coal. As with sulfur
content, ash content varies from seam to seam and within seams. Ash content is
an important characteristic of coal because power plants must handle and
dispose of ash following combustion.
 
Moisture
Moisture content of coal varies by the type of coal, the region where it is
mined and the location of coal within a seam. In general, high moisture content
decreases the heat value and increases the weight of the coal, making it more
expensive to transport.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
 
Coking Properties of Metallurgical Coal
 
When some types of coal are super-heated in the absence of oxygen, they form a
hard, dry, caking product called coke, which is chiefly used in the steel
production process as a fuel and reducing agent to smelt iron ore in a blast
furnace.
 
Cost Structure
 
Coal Prices
 
Coal prices vary dramatically among coals and are affected primarily by the
marginal cost of production and transportation costs to the customer. Factors
that influence coal prices are geological characteristics (such as seam
thickness, overburden ratios and depth to underground reserves), transportation
costs, regional coal production capacity relative to demand and coal quality
characteristics including heat value, ash, moisture and sulfur content.
 
Industrial coal generally costs more to produce and is shipped in smaller
volumes than steam coal from the same region used by generators of electricity.
As a result, industrial coal's prices are $3 to $5 dollars per ton higher.
Metallurgical coal, with higher carbon content and lower ash content generally
costs more to mine and typically has prices $4 to $10 per ton higher than steam
coal produced from the same region. Even higher prices are paid for premium
metallurgical coal.
 
The following table summarizes steam coal prices for the generation of
electricity by supply region.
                        
                     Historical Steam Coal Spot Prices     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                     -----------------------------------------
Nominal Dollars per Ton, Free on
Board at Mine
                                     Btus per             Pounds SO\\2\\ per           
Region/Basin                            Pound             million Btus                 1996   1997   1998
- ------------                         --------             ------------------         ------ ------ ------
<S>                                  <C>                  <C>                        <C>    <C>    <C>
Central Appalachia.................. greater than 12,500  less than or equal to 1.2  $26.35 $25.01 $26.93
                                     greater than 12,500  1.21-1.70                   25.46  24.89  25.84
                                     greater than 12,500  1.71-2.5                    24.62  23.92  24.63
                                     less than 12,500     less than or equal to 1.2   22.31  23.22  24.77
                                     less than 12,500     1.21-1.70                   21.77  22.85  23.31
                                     less than 12,500     1.71-2.5                    21.20  21.24  22.99
 
Northeastern Appalachia............. greater than 12,750  1.2-2.5                    $25.98 $25.83 $24.52
                                     greater than 12,750  greater than 2.5            22.91  24.12  23.20
 
Illinois Basin...................... greater than 11,000  greater than 2.5           $19.55 $19.69 $20.47
                                     less than 11,000     greater than 2.5            17.50  18.89  18.26
 
Southern Powder River Basin......... greater than 8,600   less than or equal to 1.2  $ 4.27 $ 4.04 $ 4.40
                                     less than 8,600      less than or equal to 1.2    3.23   3.25   3.30
 
Northern Powder River Basin......... greater than 8,800   less than or equal to 1.2  $ 6.24 $ 6.14 $ 6.73
 
Four Corners........................ greater than 9,500   less than or equal to 1.2   $15.80 $17.56 $15.66
</TABLE>    
 
- --------
Source: RDI, Outlook for Coal, Winter 1998-1999.
 
Transportation
 
Coal for domestic consumption generally is sold at the mine and transportation
costs are normally borne by the purchaser. Export coal is usually sold at the
loading port. Coal producers are responsible for shipment to the export coal-
loading facility and the buyer pays the ocean freight. Coal for electricity
generation is purchased on the basis of its delivered cost per million Btus.
Most utilities arrange long-term shipping contracts with rail or barge
companies to assure stable delivered costs.
 
Transportation is often a large component of the buyer's cost. Although the
customer pays the freight, transportation cost is still important to coal
mining companies because the customer may choose a supplier largely based on
the cost of transportation. According to RDI, in 1995, transportation costs
represented 69%, 28% and 25% of the overall delivered cost of coal produced in
the western United States, eastern United States and midwestern United States.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
 
According to the National Mining Association in 1997, approximately 77% of all
U.S. coal was shipped by rail or barge, making these modes the keys to domestic
coal distribution. Trucks and overland conveyors are used to haul coal over
shorter distances. Lake carriers and ocean carriers transport coal to export
markets. Some domestic coal is shipped over the Great Lakes to domestic
markets. Railroads move more coal than any other commodity, and in 1996 coal
accounted for 22% of total U.S. rail freight revenue and 44% of total rail
freight tonnage.
 
Deregulation of the Electric Utility Industry
 
In October 1992, the National Energy Policy Act was signed in the United
States, giving wholesale suppliers access to the transmission lines. In April
1996, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued orders establishing rules
providing for open access to electricity transmission systems, thereby
encouraging competition in the generation of electricity. While broad
deregulation legislation is still being considered at the federal level, a
number of states have taken significant deregulation initiatives as provided
for by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
 
Deregulation of the electric utility industry, if and where implemented, would
enable industrial, commercial and residential customers to shop for the lowest
cost supply of power and the best available service. This fundamental change in
the industry is expected to compel electric utilities to be more aggressive in
developing and defending market share, to be more focused on their cost and
pricing structure, and to be more flexible in reacting to changes in the
market.
   
CONSOL Energy believes that the move toward a competitive market for
electricity should prove beneficial to coal demand. According to RDI, 21 of the
25 lowest cost electric generating stations are coal fired. As deregulation
occurs and competition among generators increases, electricity generators will
become increasingly sensitive to fuel costs because such costs typically
represent about 78% of the variable cost of generating electricity from fossil
fuels.     
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
 
                                    
                                 Business     
 
Overview
   
CONSOL Energy ranks among the largest coal companies in the United States based
upon total revenue, net income and operating cash flow. CONSOL Energy's
production of 73 million tons of coal in 1997 accounted for 7% of total
domestic tons produced and for 12% of tons produced in the eastern United
States. Production in 1998 totaled 76 million tons. CONSOL Energy is one of
America's premier coal companies by several measures.     
     
  .It mines more high-Btu bituminous coal than any other U.S. producer.     
     
  .It is the largest coal producer east of the Mississippi River.     
     
  .It is the largest U.S. producer of coal from underground mines.     
     
  .It exports more coal from the United States than any other coal producer
  or trading company.     
     
  .It has the second largest coal reserves among U.S. coal producers.     
   
CONSOL Energy's consistent financial performance has enabled it to establish a
strong history of cash generation and dividend payments.     
   
In 1998, CONSOL Energy sold 69% of the tons of coal it produced directly to
domestic electricity generators, 15% to domestic industrial customers, domestic
steel mills and trading companies and 16% directly to export markets. The
electricity generating market is, by far, the most important market for U.S.
coal producers and for CONSOL Energy, and coal is the fuel of choice for base-
load power plants in the United States. Coal-fired plants currently produce
approximately 57% of the electricity in the United States.     
   
CONSOL Energy's proximity to generating plants, access to low-cost
transportation, favorable geologic conditions for mining and the high-Btu
content of its coal enable it to provide fuel to electricity generators at low
delivered cost. CONSOL Energy's large, highly mechanized eastern mines are
located near major electricity generators in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic,
southeastern and midwestern United States. In 1997, almost 40% of CONSOL
Energy's coal moved on inland waterways, the mode of transport considered the
most cost-effective for bulk commodities.     
   
CONSOL Energy had 4.8 billion tons of proved and probable reserves at December
31, 1998. Reserves are located in northern Appalachia (54%), central Appalachia
(11%), the midwest (21%) and in the western United States and Canada (14%). The
size, quality and strategic location of CONSOL Energy's reserves provide a
basis for the expansion of many existing mines and for new mine development.
Approximately 66% of CONSOL Energy's reserves consist of high-Btu coal.     
   
CONSOL Energy currently has 25 mining complexes. CONSOL Energy added three
complexes in September 1998 by acquiring Rochester & Pittsburgh. Two complexes,
Holden and Twin Branch, were exchanged in November 1998, for the Vesta coal
reserves located in southwestern Pennsylvania. CONSOL Energy uses high-
extraction longwall technology at 13 of its mines and leads the industry in the
deployment of longwall systems. The mines operating these advanced mining
systems accounted for approximately 83% of the coal mined by CONSOL Energy in
1998. CONSOL Energy's ability to source coal from its multiple longwall mines
provides it with great flexibility in meeting customer fuel requirements.
CONSOL Energy can expand production at longwall mines at very low incremental
cost.     
   
CONSOL Energy's History     
   
CONSOL Energy Inc. was organized as a Delaware corporation in 1991. CONSOL
Energy Inc. is a holding company for 64 direct and indirect wholly owned
subsidiaries, including Consolidation Coal Company and CONSOL Inc.
Consolidation Coal Company is CONSOL Energy's principal operating subsidiary
and CONSOL Inc. is CONSOL Energy's direct holding company subsidiary that
provides executive, management and administrative services.     
   
CONSOL Energy's earliest predecessor, Consolidation Coal Company, was formed on
March 9, 1860 with the merger of several small western Maryland coal holdings.
Formal incorporation was delayed until April 19, 1864 because of the Civil War.
By 1927, Consolidation Coal Company had become the largest bituminous coal
producer in the United States. Consolidation Coal Company merged with
Pittsburgh Coal Company in 1945 to     
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
 
   
form the then largest coal company in the United States. During the next 20
years, Consolidation Coal Company continued to grow through acquisitions. In
1966, Continental Oil Company, a vertically integrated petroleum company,
acquired Consolidation Coal Company. E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
acquired Conoco in 1981. In 1991, RWE A.G., through its direct and indirect
wholly owned subsidiaries Rheinbraun A.G. and Rheinbraun U.S. GmbH, purchased
50% of our common stock. RWE A.G. is a leading international energy-based
industrial conglomerate headquartered in Germany and is the fifth largest
industrial group in Germany based on annual sales. DuPont held its remaining
50% interest in our common stock through DuPont Energy Company, its wholly
owned subsidiary. In November 1998, CONSOL Energy purchased shares of its
common stock from DuPont Energy. After the purchase, and before this offering,
Rheinbraun A.G. and Rheinbraun U.S. GmbH together owned approximately 94% and
DuPont Energy owned approximately 6% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
    
Mining Methods
   
CONSOL Energy mines coal using both underground and surface mining methods. In
1998, 95% of CONSOL Energy's production came from underground mines and 5% from
surface mines. The percentage of coal produced by surface mines has declined in
recent years because several CONSOL Energy surface mines have depleted their
mineable reserves, and because production from existing underground mines has
increased. Nevertheless, CONSOL Energy maintains engineering expertise in both
mining methods.     
   
Mining Production     
   
Where the geology is favorable and where reserves are sufficient, CONSOL Energy
employs longwall mining systems in its underground mines. In 1998, 83% of
CONSOL Energy's production came from mines equipped with longwall mining
systems. Underground mines equipped with longwall systems are highly
mechanized, capital intensive operations. These mines have a low variable cost
structure compared with other types of mines and can achieve high productivity
levels compared with other underground mining methods. Because CONSOL Energy
has substantial reserves readily suitable to these operations, these longwall
mines can increase capacity at low incremental cost.     
   
The following table shows the growth in production from CONSOL Energy's current
longwall operations since 1994.     
                               
                            Production by Year     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                                        Compound
                                                                          Annual
                                                                          Growth
                                               1994 1995 1996 1997 1998     Rate
in millions of tons                            ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- --------
Mine
- ----
<S>                                            <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>
Enlow Fork ................................... 8.1  8.0  8.7  8.4  8.8     2.1%
Bailey ....................................... 6.6  7.3  7.5  7.5  8.3     5.9%
McElroy....................................... 4.1  4.1  4.2  5.2  6.6    12.6%
Robinson Run.................................. 3.3  3.7  4.2  4.8  5.6    14.1%
Loveridge..................................... 3.1  2.7  3.1  4.8  5.4    14.9%
Shoemaker..................................... 1.8  3.8  4.4  4.8  4.8     8.1%
Buchanan...................................... 3.0  3.2  3.6  4.3  4.3     9.4%
Dilworth ..................................... 2.7  3.0  3.6  4.4  4.2    11.7%
Rend Lake..................................... 2.7  3.3  3.2  4.1  4.1    11.0%
Blacksville................................... 3.7  3.8  3.5  3.4  3.9     1.3%
VP 8.......................................... 0.9  2.3  2.8  1.3  2.7     5.5%
Powhatan No. 4................................ 3.1  2.7  3.4  3.2  2.7    (3.4)%
Mine No. 84................................... --   --   --   --   1.0     --
</TABLE>    
   
The calculation of the compound amount growth rate for the Shoemaker and VP 8
mines does not include periods during which such mines were shutdown. The
calculation for the McElroy mine excludes 200,000 tons of coal mined in
connection with construction activities.     
   
We acquired Mine No. 84 in September 1998 as part of its acquisition of
Rochester & Pittsburgh. The amount of production for Mine No. 84 represents
three months of production.     
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
 
   
With the exception of Dilworth and Powhatan No. 4, these mines have the
potential to further expand production through investment in various projects
to debottleneck the coal mine or by instituting continuous work schedules to
maximize utilization of existing equipment. With the exception of Dilworth and
Powhatan No. 4, these mines all have access to extensive, CONSOL Energy-
controlled reserves to support expansion in capacity at low incremental cost.
       
CONSOL Energy operates approximately 25% of the U.S. longwall mining systems.
Because of the high production levels of these mining systems, which CONSOL
Energy uses at 13 of its mines, it operates seven of the 20 largest underground
mines east of the Mississippi River. The following table ranks the 20 largest
underground mines in the United States by tons of coal produced in 1997.     
                     
                  Major U.S. Underground Coal Mines, 1997     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                           ----------------------------------------------------------
Mine Name                  Operating Company                               Production
- ---------                  -----------------                               ----------
                                                                               in
                                                                            millions
                                                                            of tons
<S>                        <C>                                             <C>
Enlow Fork                 CONSOL                                             8.4
Bailey                     CONSOL                                             7.5
Twenty Mile                Twenty Mile Coal Company                           7.3
Baker                      Lodestar Energy Inc.                               6.5
Cumberland                 Cyprus Cumberland Resources Corp.                  6.4
Eastern Kentucky           MAPCO Coal Company                                 5.9
Mountaineer                Mingo Logan Coal Co.                               5.7
West Elk                   Mountain Coal Co.                                  5.6
McElroy                    CONSOL                                             5.4
Pinnacle                   U.S. Steel Mining                                  5.2
Powhatan No. 6             The Ohio Valley Coal Company                       5.1
Galatia                    Kerr-McGee Coal Co.                                5.0
SUFCO                      Canyon Fuel Company                                4.9
Loveridge                  CONSOL                                             4.8
Shoemaker                  CONSOL                                             4.8
Robinson Run               CONSOL                                             4.8
Mine No. 84                CONSOL                                             4.8
Upper Big Branch           A.T. Massey Coal Company                           4.7
Emerald                    Cyprus Emerald Resources Corp.                     4.7
Federal Mine No. 2         Eastern Associated Coal Corp.                      4.5
</TABLE>    
- --------
Source: National Mining Association
   
CONSOL Energy's Research and Development Department has worked on a number of
advances that have enhanced longwall mining methods. CONSOL Energy has
developed proprietary automation software that allows the shearer to guide
itself in the coal seam, reducing incursions into the rock above and below the
seam, thus improving initial coal quality and improving cutting bit life. The
Research and Development Department has also developed methods for automating
shield advances as mining progresses, which improves overall system efficiency.
The Research and Development Department has done geotechnical studies on pillar
design that have allowed continuous miners to advance more quickly and at lower
cost when developing the panels in advance of longwall mining. CONSOL Energy's
Research and Development Department has developed several technological
advances that allow coal to be moved in more continuous fashion from the coal
face, thus improving utilization for the mining machinery, resulting in lower
costs and higher productivity. See "Business--Research and Development."     
   
Mining Productivity     
   
According to an RDI database, we operated ten of the top 20 most productive
underground mines in 1997, in terms of tons per man day produced, based on an
analysis of production of large eastern U.S. underground mines (with production
greater than 3.0 million tons).     
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
 
   
The following graph shows the growth of underground mine productivity at CONSOL
Energy.     
 
Chart illustrating increases in CONSOL Energy's underground mine productivity
between 1982 and 1998 measured in tons of coal produced per manday.

        X Axis               Y Axis
         Year                 Year
        ------               ------
         1982                12.68
         1983                15.23
         1984                16.23
         1985                16.50
         1986                18.50
         1987                20.70
         1988                22.30
         1989                22.50
         1990                21.80
         1991                23.60
         1992                27.40
         1993                28.80
         1994                29.90
         1995                31.80
         1996                35.40
         1997                39.40
         1998                40.80

Mining Operations
   
CONSOL Energy currently has 25 mining complexes, including a 50% interest in a
surface mine in Alberta, Canada, all located in North America. In November
1998, CONSOL Energy exchanged the Holden Complex and the Twin Branch Complex
with the A.T. Massey Coal Company for the Vesta coal reserves located in
southwestern Pennsylvania.     
   
All of CONSOL Energy's mining complexes are underground operations except the
Mahoning Valley and Cardinal River mines which employ only surface mining
techniques. The Mill Creek complex employs a combination of underground and
surface mining systems. Mining machinery used in all of CONSOL Energy's
underground mines is powered by electricity.     
   
Coal is transported from CONSOL Energy's mining complexes to customers by means
of railroad cars, river barges, trucks, conveyor belts or a combination of
these means of transportation. The McElroy and Robinson Run mines transport
coal to customers by conveyor belt. The McElroy, Shoemaker, Dilworth, Powhatan
No. 4, Humphrey, Mahoning Valley and Ohio No. 11 complexes ship coal to
customers by means of river barges. Trucks are used to transport coal from
Loveridge, Blacksville, Powhatan No. 4, Rend Lake, Keystone, Helvetia and Emery
complexes. The Enlow Fork, Bailey, Mine No. 84, Robinson Run, Loveridge,
Blacksville, Buchanan, Mill Creek, VP-3, Jones Fork, VP-8, Amonate, Elk Creek,
Rend Lake and Cardinal River complexes transport coal to customers by rail.
    
                                       43
<PAGE>
 
   
The following table provides the location and a summary of the main
characteristics of CONSOL Energy's mining complexes and the coal reserves
associated with these operations.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                              CONSOL Energy Mining Complexes
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           Total
                                                               Average Quality                        Accessible
                                                                  on Dry Basis   Assigned Reserves           and
                                                        1998 ----------------- ----------------------   Assigned
                                                  Production      Heat  Sulfur     Total                Reserves        Year
                                                   (Millions   Content Content (Millions Owned Leased  (Millions Established
 Operations             Location                    of Tons) (Btu/lb.)     (%)  of Tons)   (%)    (%)   of Tons) or Acquired
 ---------------------- ---------------------     ---------- --------- ------- --------- ----- ------ ---------- -----------
 <C>                    <S>                       <C>        <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>   <C>    <C>        <C>
 Northern Appalachia
 Enlow Fork Mine....... Enon,
                        Pennsylvania                 8.8      14,173    1.62      43.2     34    66     206.6       1990
 Bailey Mine........... Enon,
                        Pennsylvania                 8.3      14,101    1.85      76.0      1    99     203.7       1984
 McElroy Mine.......... Glen Easton,
                        West Virginia                6.6      13,999    3.18     227.3    100     0     227.3       1968
 Loveridge Mine........ Fairview,
                        West Virginia                5.4      13,969    2.40      15.6    100     0     156.4       1956
 Robinson Run Mine..... Shinnston,
                        West Virginia                5.6      14,126    3.36      55.0     76    24     148.4       1966
 Shoemaker Mine........ Moundsville,
                        West Virginia                4.8      13,860    3.13      74.7    100     0     141.6       1966
 Mine No. 84........... Eighty-Four,
                        Pennsylvania                 5.9      14,040    1.84      36.1     75    25     154.5       1998
 Dilworth Mine......... Rices Landing,
                        Pennsylvania                 4.2      14,126    1.51      19.9      0   100      19.9       1984
 Blacksville Mine...... Wana, West
                        Virginia                     3.9      14,165    2.87      59.6    100     0     144.4       1970
 Powhatan No. 4 Mine... Clarington,
                        Ohio                         2.7      13,545    4.72       3.6      8    92       3.6       1987
 Keystone               Indiana,
  Complex.............. Pennsylvania                 2.0      13,042    1.62       4.2     86    14       4.2       1998
 Helvetia
  Complex.............. Blairsville,
                        Pennsylvania                 1.7      11,839    2.08       5.7     97     3      12.0       1998
 Humphrey Mine......... Maidsville,
                        West Virginia                0.6      13,600    2.75       5.9    100     0       5.9       1956
 Mahoning Valley Mine.. Cadiz, Ohio                  0.7      12,214    2.31       1.3     93     7       2.5       1974
 Central Appalachia
 Buchanan Mine......... Mavisdale,
                        Virginia                     4.3      14,950    0.78      31.4      1    99     124.3       1983
 Mill Creek             Deane,
  Complex.............. Kentucky                     3.4      13,643    1.18       9.4    100     0      15.8       1994
 VP-3 Mine............. Vansant,
                        Virginia                     0.2      15,185    0.77       7.9      0   100       7.9       1993
 Jones Fork             Mousie,
  Complex.............. Kentucky                     2.5      13,245    1.00      19.7     85    15      38.1       1992
 VP-8 Mine............. Rowe, Virginia               2.7      14,903    0.31      14.6      1    99      14.6       1993
 Amonate Complex....... Amonate,
                        Virginia                     1.1      14,422    0.77      10.1     64    36      21.5       1925
 Elk Creek              Emmett, West
  Complex.............. Virginia                     0.4      13,750    0.78      10.9     27    73      18.8       1993
 Illinois Basin
 Rend Lake Mine........ Sesser,
                        Illinois                     4.1      13,738    1.02       9.5     62    38      62.8       1986
 Ohio No. 11 Mine...... Morganfield,
                        Kentucky                     1.4      13,500    3.13       6.0      0   100      19.2       1993
 Western U.S.
 Emery Mine............ Emery County,
                        Utah                         0.0      12,933    0.74      14.6     84    16      14.6       1945
 Western Canada
 Cardinal River Mine... Hinton, Alberta, Canada      1.5      14,000    0.37       2.6      0   100       3.6       1969
</TABLE>    
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
 
   
We acquired:     
          
  .  the Dilworth mine from USX;     
     
  .  the Rend Lake Mine from Inland Steel;     
     
  .  the Powhatan No. 4 mine from North American Coal Company;     
     
  .  the Mill Creek Complex from Kentucky Criterion Coal Company;     
     
  .  VP-3 mine, the Elk Creek Complex, the VP-8 mine and Ohio No. 11 mine
     from Occidental Petroleum; and     
     
  .  Mine No. 84, the Keystone Complex and the Helvetia Complex when it
     acquired the Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal Company.     
   
We established all other mines and complexes.     
   
Two mining complexes, Twin Branch Complex and the Holden Complex, which, in the
aggregate, produced 326,000 tons in 1998, were exchanged in November 1998 for
the Vesta coal reserves owned by the A.T. Massey Coal Company. The mines and
complexes sold or exchanged are not shown in the table.     
 
There are, in the aggregate, approximately 680 leases with respect to assigned
coal reserves. The leases have terms extending up to 30 years and generally
provide for renewal through the anticipated life of the associated mine. These
renewals are exercisable by the payment of minimum royalties.
   
Total accessible and assigned reserves represents proved and probable coal
reserves at December 31, 1998. CONSOL Energy assigns coal reserves to each of
its mining operations, but each mine also may have access to reserves that have
not yet been assigned to any particular mine. Unassigned reserves may be
accessed by more than one mining operation. Information with respect to proved
and probable coal reserves has been determined by our geologists and mining
engineers. See Note 24 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.     
          
CONSOL Energy's Principal Mines by Geographic Region     

              [Map showing the location of CONSOL Energy's mines]
       

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
Northern Appalachia Mines
   
Enlow Fork. The Enlow Fork mine produces coal from the Pittsburgh #8 Seam using
two longwall systems and six continuous mining machines. Coal is transported to
the surface by conveyor belts. The coal is processed in the Bailey Central
Preparation Plant which can fully wash coal at a rate of 3,600 tons of raw coal
per hour. From January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998, capital expenditures at
the mine totaled $73 million. The Enlow Fork mine will complete in 1999
installation of a 5,000-ton underground storage bunker that will level the flow
of coal between the producing face and the plant. In addition, a new longwall
system was placed in service in 1997.     
   
Bailey. The Bailey mine produces coal from the Pittsburgh #8 Seam using two
longwall systems and seven continuous mining machines. Coal is transported to
the surface by conveyor belts. The coal is processed in the Bailey Central
Preparation Plant which can fully wash coal at the rate of 3,600 tons of raw
coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998, capital expenditures
at the mine totaled $68 million. From January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998,
capital expenditures at the preparation plant totaled $64 million. The Bailey
Central Preparation Plant, which serves both the Bailey and Enlow Fork mines,
currently is being expanded. When completed, the expansion will increase total
processed coal capacity from 16 million tons per year to 20 million tons per
year.     
   
McElroy. The McElroy mine produces coal from the Pittsburgh #8 Seam using one
longwall system and four continuous mining machines. Coal is transported to the
surface by conveyor belts. The coal is partially washed in a preparation plant
capable of processing 1,400 tons of raw coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to
December 31, 1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled $82 million. In
1997, the mine completed the installation of an underground conveying system
that replaced a less efficient underground track haulage system.     
   
Mine No. 84. Mine No. 84 produces coal from the Pittsburgh #8 Seam using one
longwall and three continuous mining machines. Coal is transported to the
surface by conveyor belts. The coal is processed in a preparation plant capable
of processing 2,500 tons of raw coal per hour. Mine No. 84 was acquired as part
of the acquisition of Rochester & Pittsburgh on September 22, 1998. From
September 23, 1998 to December 31, 1998, capital expenditures at the mine
totaled $1 million.     
   
Robinson Run. The Robinson Run mine produces coal from the Pittsburgh #8 Seam
using one longwall system and four continuous mining machines. Coal is
transported to the surface by conveyor belts. The coal is partially washed in a
preparation plant capable of processing 1,500 tons of raw coal per hour. From
January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled
$46 million. In 1995, the Robinson Run mine installed an underground belt
conveying system to move coal to the surface, replacing a less efficient rail
haulage system as well as increasing the mine's production capacity.     
   
Shoemaker. The Shoemaker mine produces coal from the Pittsburgh #8 Seam using
one longwall system and three continuous mining machines. Coal is transported
to the surface by a conveyor belt and underground track locomotives. The coal
is fully washed in a preparation plant capable of processing 1,275 tons of raw
coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998, capital expenditures
at the mine totaled $56 million. In 1997, the mine installed new longwall
mining equipment and added a new yard track-loop system, both of which
contributed to increases in production.     
   
Loveridge. The Loveridge mine produces coal from the Pittsburgh #8 Seam using
one longwall system and four continuous mining machines. Coal is transported to
the surface by a conveyor belt. The coal is fully washed in a preparation plant
capable of processing 1,400 tons of raw coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to
December 31, 1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled $47 million. In
1996, the mine installed a new longwall system that included many new automated
functions which improved production rates, enhanced coal quality and reduced
unscheduled maintenance.     
   
Dilworth. The Dilworth mine produces coal from the Pittsburgh #8 Seam using one
longwall system and three continuous mining machines. Coal is conveyed to the
surface with conveyor belts. The coal is transported by barge to the Robena
preparation plant where it is fully washed. The Robena preparation plant can
process 1,200 tons of raw coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to December 31,
1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled $25 million. Capital
expenditures at the Robena preparation plant for the same period totaled $11
million. In 1997, a raw coal storage silo was installed at the Robena
preparation plant permitting direct discharge of raw coal to and from river
barges. The silo eliminated the need for more costly handling and increased
flexibility in blending raw coal and processed coal.     
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
 
   
Blacksville. The Blacksville mine produces coal from the Pittsburgh #8 Seam
using one longwall system and three continuous mining machines. Coal is
transported underground by conveyor belts to a skip hoist which lifts the coal
to the surface. The coal is partially or fully washed in a preparation plant
capable of processing 1,000 tons of raw coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to
December 31, 1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled $64 million. In
1998, we completed the construction of a large, underground coal storage bunker
at the mine which allows storage of up to 2,400 tons of coal, leveling the flow
of coal both from the producing coal face and to the preparation plant.     
   
Powhatan No. 4. The Powhatan No. 4 mine produces coal from the Pittsburgh #8
Seam utilizing one longwall system and one continuous mining machine. Coal is
transported to the surface using a combination of conveyor belts and rail
haulage. The coal is washed in a preparation plant capable of processing 1,100
tons of raw coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998, capital
expenditures at the mine totaled $15 million. The mine will deplete its
economically minable reserves in 1999.     
   
Helvetia Complex. The Helvetia Complex produces coal from the Upper Freeport
and Upper Kittanning seams. Coal is produced at two underground mines and a
surface mine operated by us. Coal is mined with a total of eight continuous
mining machines at the underground mines and with an end-loader at the surface
mine. Coal is transported from the underground mines to the surface on conveyor
belts and is transported to a small wash plant by truck. Coal from the surface
mine is transported to the wash plant by truck. The small wash plant has a
capacity of 250 tons of raw coal per hour. The Helvetia Complex was acquired on
September 22, 1998 as part of the Rochester & Pittsburgh acquisition and has
had no capital expenditures since being acquired.     
   
Keystone Complex. The Keystone Complex produces coal from the Upper Freeport
and Upper Kittanning seams. Coal is produced at three underground mines that we
operate. Additional coal is purchased from outside sources to be blended and
processed with coal that we produce. Coal is mined with a total of 11
continuous mining machines at the underground mines. Coal is transported to the
surface by conveyor belt and is transported to the preparation plant by
overland conveyor or truck. The coal is processed at a preparation plant
capable of processing 900 tons of raw coal per hour. The Keystone Complex was
acquired on September 22, 1998 as part of the Rochester & Pittsburgh
acquisition and has had no capital expenditures since being acquired.     
   
Humphrey. The Humphrey mine produces coal from the Pittsburgh #8 Seam using two
continuous mining machines. Coal is sold raw. From January 1, 1994 to December
31, 1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled $1 million. In 1997, the
Humphrey mine reduced production and started using continuous mining equipment
after longwall-minable reserves were depleted.     
   
Mahoning Valley. The Mahoning Valley mine produces coal from the #9 Seam. Coal
is uncovered at this surface mine using a large, electrically powered stripping
shovel. A smaller shovel loads the uncovered coal into trucks for transport
from the pit. We made no capital expenditures at the mine between January 1,
1994 to December 31, 1998. The mine will deplete its economically mineable
reserves in 1999.     
 
Central Appalachia Mines
   
Buchanan. The Buchanan mine produces coal from the Pocahontas #3 Seam using one
longwall system and four continuous mining machines. The coal is transported to
a skip hoist by conveyor belts where the coal is then lifted to the surface.
The coal is washed in a preparation plant that is capable of processing 1,000
tons of raw coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998, capital
expenditures at the mine totaled $47 million. In 1997, we constructed a large,
underground coal-storage bunker at the mine. The bunker allows storage of up to
4,700 tons of coal, leveling the flow of coal both from the face and to the
preparation plant. Also in 1997, the mine instituted a continuous work schedule
that allowed higher coal-hoisting and preparation plant utilization.     
   
Mill Creek Complex. The Mill Creek Complex produces coal from the Hazard #4
Seam and the Elkhorn #3 Seam. Coal is produced at two underground mines and a
surface mine operated by us and by several small underground and surface mines
operated by independent contractors. Mining at underground mines operated by us
is done with a continuous mining machine. Coal is conveyed to the surface using
conveyor belts. Mining at surface mines operated by us is done with front-end
loaders and trucks. Coal from all of the mines is transported by truck or
conveyor belt to a central preparation plant for processing. The plant has the
capacity to process 950 tons of raw coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to
December 31, 1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled $19 million.     
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
 
   
VP-3. The VP-3 mine produced coal from the Pocahontas #3 Seam utilizing one
longwall system and three continuous mining machines. Coal was carried
underground by conveyor belts to a skip hoist which lifted the coal to the
surface. The coal was processed in a preparation plant which has a capacity to
process 750 tons of raw coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to December 31,
1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled $8 million. VP-3 mine was placed
on long-term shutdown status because of excess production capacity for the type
of coal produced at this mine.     
   
Jones Fork Complex. The Jones Fork Complex produces coal from the Hazard #4
Seam and the Elkhorn #3 Seam. Coal is produced from three underground mines
operated by us and two contractor-operated underground mines. Mining at
underground mines operated by us is accomplished with continuous mining
machines. Coal is conveyed to the surface with conveyor belts. Coal from all
operations is transported by conveyor belt or by truck to a central preparation
facility which has the capacity to process 825 tons of raw coal per hour. From
January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled
$21 million.     
   
VP-8. The VP-8 mine produces coal from the Pocahontas #3 Seam utilizing one
longwall system and two continuous mining machines. Coal is carried underground
by conveyor belts to a skip hoist which lifts the coal to the surface. The coal
is processed at two preparation plants which together have the capacity to
process 1,350 tons of raw coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to December 31,
1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled $20 million.     
   
Amonate Complex. The Amonate Complex processes coal from the Pocahontas #3, #5,
#8, #10, and #11 and Squire Jim Seams. The coal typically is produced from
approximately ten underground mines operated by independent contractors on our
reserves. The preparation plant has the capacity to process 700 tons of raw
coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998, capital expenditures
at the complex totaled $3 million.     
   
Elk Creek Complex. The Elk Creek Complex produces coal from the Lower Cedar
Grove "C" and the Alma Seams. The coal is produced from two underground mines
operated by independent contractors on our reserves. The coal is taken by truck
for processing to the Elk Creek preparation plant, which has the capacity to
process 550 tons of raw coal per hour. The preparation plant also processes
coal that we purchase from other mine operators. From January 1, 1994 to
December 31, 1998, capital expenditures at the complex totaled $1 million.     
 
Illinois Basin Mines
   
Rend Lake. The Rend Lake mine produces coal from the Herrin #6 Seam utilizing
two longwall systems and five continuous mining machines. Coal is conveyed
underground by conveyor belts to a skip hoist which lifts the coal to the
surface. The coal is processed at a preparation plant which has the capacity to
process 1,000 tons of raw coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to December 31,
1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled $46 million.     
   
Ohio No. 11. The Ohio No. 11 mine produces coal from the West Kentucky #11 Seam
utilizing four continuous mining machines. Coal is conveyed to the surface by
conveyor belts. Coal is processed at a preparation plant which has the capacity
to process 700 tons of raw coal per hour. From January 1, 1994 to December 31,
1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled $6 million.     
 
Western U.S. Mines
   
Emery. The Emery mine is capable of producing coal from the I Seam. The mine is
configured for underground mining operations. The mine has been idle for
several years. We made no capital expenditures at the mine between January 1,
1994 and December 31, 1998.     
 
Western Canada Mines
   
Cardinal River. The Cardinal River mine produces coal from the Jewel Seam.
Mining is done with stripping shovels and front-end loaders, which are either
powered with electricity or diesel. Coal is hauled from the pit in large,
diesel or electric powered haul trucks. The coal is processed at a preparation
plant which has the capacity to process 800 tons of raw coal per hour. From
January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998, capital expenditures at the mine totaled
$13 million. The mine is a joint-venture operation with Luscar Ltd. in which we
maintain a 50% interest.     
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
 
Coal Reserves
   
CONSOL Energy had an estimated 4.8 billion tons of proved and probable reserves
at December 31, 1998. Reserves are the portion of the "demonstrated" tonnage
(equivalent to "proved" and "probable") that meet CONSOL Energy's general
economic criteria regarding mining height, preparation plant recovery, depth of
overburden and stripping ratio. Generally, these reserves would be commercially
minable at year-end price and cost levels.     
   
CONSOL Energy's reserves are located in northern Appalachia (54%), central
Appalachia (11%), the midwestern United States (21%) and in the western United
States and in Canada (14%).     
   
The following table summarizes CONSOL Energy's reserves at December 31, 1998.
For unassigned reserves, CONSOL Energy assumes 60% recovery for reserves that
can be mined using longwall mining, 50% recovery for reserves that will be
mined using other underground methods and 90% recovery for surface mines.     
                                 
                              CONSOL Reserves     
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         less than 1.20 lbs. of SO\2\  greater than 1.20 lbs. of SO\2\
                               per million Btus              per million Btus
in thousands of tons     ----------------------------  -------------------------------
                                                                                                Percentage
   Region and Product    Low Btu  Medium Btu High Btu  Low Btu  Medium Btu High Btu     Total    by Region
- ------------------------ -------  ---------- --------  -------  ---------- ---------  --------- ----------
<S>                      <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>
Northern Appalachia
 Steam..................      0     49,359         0    63,896   131,659   2,115,748  2,360,662
 High-vol.
  metallurgical.........      0          0         0         0         0     207,510    207,510
 Subtotal...............      0     49,359         0    63,896   131,659   2,323,258  2,568,172    54.0%
Central Appalachia
 Steam.................. 48,231     36,155         0    15,914    29,769      57,094    187,163
 High-vol.
  metallurgical.........  5,832          0    18,728         0         0       2,103     26,663
 Medium-vol.
  metallurgical.........      0      4,170    82,886         0     2,417       8,315     97,788
 Low-vol.
  metallurgical.........      0          0   196,155         0         0       2,757    198,912
 Subtotal............... 54,063     40,325   297,769    15,914    32,186      70,269    510,526    10.7%
Midwestern U.S.
 Steam..................      0          0         0   148,050   734,321     143,330  1,024,701    21.6%
Western U.S.
 Powder River Basin
  steam.................      0    193,017   248,609         0         0       4,126    445,752
 W. Colorado and S. Utah
  steam................. 12,456          0    14,600         0     5,584       9,574     42,214
 Subtotal............... 12,456    193,017   263,209         0     5,584      13,700    487,966    10.3%
Canada
 Medium-vol.
  metallurgical......... 16,286    117,405    28,931         0         0           0    162,622     3.4%
                         -------  ---------- --------  -------  ---------- ---------  --------- ----------
Total................... 82,805    400,106   589,909   227,860   903,750   2,550,557  4,754,987   100.0%
                         =======  ========== ========  =======  ========== =========  ========= ==========
Percentage of Total by
 Btu content............    7.7%      37.3%     55.0%      6.2%     24.5%       69.3%
                         -------  ---------- --------  -------  ---------- ---------
                                       100%                          100%
                                  ==========                    ==========
</TABLE>    

   
The following table characterizes the relative Btu values (low, medium and
high) for each coal producing region.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------
                                                        Low            Medium             High
in Btus per lb.                                  ----------------  --------------  -------------------
Region
- ------
<S>                                              <C>               <C>             <C>
Northern and Central Appalachia and Canada...... less than 12,500  12,500--13,000  greater than 13,000
Midwest......................................... less than 11,600  11,600--12,000  greater than 12,000
Powder River Basin.............................. less than 8,400   8,400--8,800    greater than 8,800
Western Colorado and Southern Utah.............. less than 11,000  11,000--12,000  greater than 12,000
</TABLE>    
   
Reserve estimates are based on geological data assembled and analyzed by our
staff, which includes 14 geologists and more than 40 mining engineers, located
at individual mines, operations offices and at CONSOL Inc.'s principal office.
The reserve estimates and general economic criteria upon which they are based
are reviewed and adjusted annually to reflect production of coal from the
reserves, analysis of new engineering and geological data, changes in property
control, modification of mining methods and other factors. Reserve information,
including the     
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
 
   
quantity and quality of reserves, coal and surface ownership, lease payments
and other information relating to CONSOL Energy's coal reserve and land
holdings, is maintained through a system of interrelated computerized databases
developed by CONSOL Energy.     
   
CONSOL Energy's reserve estimates are predicated on information obtained from
its extensive, ongoing exploration drilling and in-mine channel sampling
programs. Data including elevation thickness and, where samples are available,
the quality of the coal from individual drill holes and channel samples are
input into a computerized geologic database. The information derived from the
geologic database is then combined with data on ownership or control of the
mineral and surface interests to determine the extent of the reserves in a
given area.     
 
Coal Contracts
   
CONSOL Energy sells coal to customers under arrangements that are the result of
both bidding procedures and extensive negotiations. Coal typically is sold by
contracts for terms that range from a single shipment to multi-year agreements
for millions of tons. Many contracts now allow the coal to be sourced from more
than one mine, an advantage to CONSOL Energy because of the number of its
mining complexes, particularly in northern Appalachia. CONSOL Energy currently
sells 66% of its coal under contracts with terms of one year or more. The
pricing mechanisms under these agreements typically consist of     
     
  .  base-price-plus-escalation methods which allow for periodic price
     adjustments based on inflation indices, or in some cases, pass-through
     of actual cost changes or     
     
  .  annually negotiated prices adjusted to market.     
   
Certain contracts have features of both types of contracts, such as limited
price reopener provisions within a base-price-plus-escalation agreement. Such
reopener provisions allow both the customer and CONSOL Energy an opportunity to
adjust price to a level close to then current market conditions. Each contract
is negotiated, and the triggers for reopener provisions differ from contract to
contract. Generally, the contracts provide for a periodic resetting of prices
assuming that market prices fall outside negotiated parameters. Almost all of
CONSOL Energy's existing contracts with reopener provisions adjust the contract
price to market price at the time the reopener provision is triggered. Market
price is generally based on recent published transactions for similar
quantities and quality of coal. Reopener provisions could result in early
termination of a contract or of requirements that certain volumes be purchased
if the parties were to fail to agree on price and other terms that may be
subject to renegotiation.     
   
Contracts also typically contain force majeure provisions allowing suspension
of performance by CONSOL Energy or the customer for the duration of certain
events beyond the control of the affected party, including labor disputes.
Certain contracts may terminate upon continuance of an event of force majeure
for an extended period, which is generally six to 12 months. Contracts also
typically specify certain minimum and maximum quality specifications regarding
the coal to be delivered. Failure to meet these conditions could result in
substantial price reductions or termination of the contract.     
   
Although the volume to be delivered pursuant to a long-term contract is
stipulated, buyers or CONSOL Energy have the option to vary the volume within
specified limits. In addition, a contract may provide for early termination of
all or part of the specified sales volume due to failure to agree on price or
other terms for which renegotiation is provided or for suspension of
performance or termination by the customer for force majeure events or failure
of performance.     
   
The following table shows the tons of coal delivered in 1997 and 1998 and the
total stated tons of coal deliverable in the year indicated for all contracts
held by CONSOL Energy at December 31, 1998.     
                         
                      Contract Tons of Delivered Coal     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   1997 1998 1999 2000 2005 2010
                                                   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S>                                                <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>
In millions of nominal tons per year
Volume under long-term contracts.................. 47.7 51.0 48.0 32.6 5.3  1.1
</TABLE>    
   
CONSOL Energy routinely engages in efforts to renew or extend contracts
scheduled to expire. Although there are no guarantees that contracts will be
renewed, CONSOL Energy frequently has been successful in the past in renewing
or extending contracts. The length of term, volumes specified and price
typically are adjusted during the renegotiation.     
 
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
 
Marketing and Sales
   
CONSOL Energy sells coal produced by its mining complexes and additional coal
which is purchased for resale from other producers through a sales force of 20
people. CONSOL Energy maintains U.S. sales offices in Atlanta, Chicago,
Cleveland, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and overseas in Brussels, Belgium.
In addition, CONSOL Energy sells coal through agents, brokers and trading
companies. In 1998, CONSOL Energy sold 77.7 million tons of coal, 84% of which
was sold in domestic markets to electricity generators, steel companies and
other consumers of coal. Direct sales by CONSOL Energy to domestic electricity
generators represented 69% of total sales and 82% of U.S. sales in 1998. The
three largest customers were Allegheny Energy, Pennsylvania Power Company and
Detroit Edison. During 1998, CONSOL Energy derived 26% of its total revenue
from sales to its two largest customers, Allegheny Energy and a consortium of
utility companies referred to as the CAPCO companies, which includes among
others, Pennsylvania Power Company. During 1998, contracts with Allegheny
Energy accounted for more than 10% of CONSOL Energy's revenues.     
   
More than 100 technical specialists work with the direct sales force to meet
the needs of current and potential customers. Specialists review customer bid
solicitations with the sales force and then identify the coal or coal-blends
that CONSOL Energy could provide. Specialists also may accompany the sales
force on customer calls to suggest, from a technical standpoint, how CONSOL
Energy coals could be used to improve combustion efficiency or lower customers'
costs.     
   
If additional technical resources are required, the sales force utilizes
expertise provided by CONSOL Energy's Research and Development Department.
CONSOL Energy's research and development expertise in areas, including
combustion, emission control, coal coking and power plant performance, allows
CONSOL Energy to address customer concerns on detailed technical basis. See "--
Research and Development."     
 
Distribution
   
CONSOL Energy employs transportation specialists who negotiate freight and
equipment agreements with various transportation suppliers, including
railroads, barge lines, terminal operators, ocean vessel brokers and trucking
companies.     
   
In addition, CONSOL Energy's transportation managers coordinate with customers
and with CONSOL Energy's mining complexes to establish shipping schedules and
to order transportation equipment necessary to meet the customer's needs.
CONSOL Energy owns or leases more than 1,100 railroad cars for moving coal
either directly to domestic customers or to the river and sea ports for
transloading to barges or vessels.     
   
CONSOL Energy has five towboats and a fleet of nearly 300 barges to serve
customers along the Ohio and Monongahela rivers. The barge operation allows
CONSOL Energy to exercise control of delivery schedules and serves as temporary
floating storage of coal where land storage is unavailable. The towboat and
barge fleet is sized to accommodate the narrower channels and smaller locking
facilities along the Monongahela River on which much of CONSOL Energy's coal is
moved.     
   
Nearly 35% of CONSOL Energy-produced coal moved on the inland waterways in
1998. CONSOL Energy estimates that shipping coal by water is as much as 80%
less expensive than rail transportation. Coal shipped on the Monongahela, Ohio
and Mississippi rivers is transported to electricity generators, steel makers
and industrial customers in the United States and overseas. Water-borne
shipments of coal originate from mines in every state in which CONSOL Energy
operates.     
   
International customers and domestic coastal customers receive coal through
CONSOL Energy's terminal at Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Terminal is a
100 acre site with a throughput capacity of 18 million tons annually and ground
storage capacity for steam and metallurgical coal. The ground storage capacity
is significant to CONSOL Energy for several reasons. First, it provides
additional inventory storage to allow mines to continue to operate at optimal
levels. Second, the large storage capacity allows CONSOL Energy to ensure
overseas buyers that coal will be available for rapid loading when the
transporting vessel arrives at the port, thereby minimizing demurrage charges.
Finally, the storage capacity of the terminal allows CONSOL Energy to inventory
coals of various qualities and to then produce custom blends for overseas
customers. The terminal is served by both the Norfolk Southern and CSX
Transportation railroads. The terminal berths have been dredged to a depth of
50 feet to allow CONSOL Energy to load larger oceangoing vessels.     
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
 
Research and Development
   
CONSOL Energy's Research and Development Department is the largest private
research organization in the United States devoted to coal. The function of the
department is to identify, develop and apply technology to support the
production and marketing objectives of CONSOL Energy's coal and gas operations
and to serve as a technical resource to other staff departments. The Research
and Development Department works closely with CONSOL Energy's mines,
preparation plants, sales offices, engineering, environmental affairs and
government relations departments to address current opportunities and problems
while pursuing a longer term strategic mission to maintain CONSOL Energy's
competitive advantage in mining and sales. The Research & Development
Department employs approximately 100 engineers, scientists and staff at two
locations and has an annual budget of $11 million.     
   
The strategic objectives of the Research and Development Department are to
understand and control the geologic factors that can limit productivity or
impair safety, to develop systems and procedures to optimize resource
extraction and utilization, to assess the value of CONSOL Energy's products in
the market place and to address operational and environmental issues that can
affect CONSOL Energy's customers and, as a consequence, limit the market for
CONSOL Energy's coal. CONSOL Energy's research and development effort is
directed at both production ("upstream") and marketing ("downstream") issues.
This approach recognizes that profitability is a function of the ability to
control costs of production and the ability to develop and access the highest
value markets for CONSOL Energy's products.     
   
The goal of the upstream research is to reduce costs, to improve productivity
and to enhance the safety of CONSOL Energy's mines and preparation plants.
Among the significant areas of research are the geophysical evaluation of
reserves and mines, the automation of mining systems, including robotic control
of longwall shearers, the improvement of underground haulage technology, the
hydrological modeling of mines and the associated geology, the control of dust
and methane in mines, and the development of computer technology for
preparation plants. CONSOL Energy has developed sophisticated measurement and
computer modeling techniques for ground control and hydrologic modeling. These
tools are used to design and operate safe and productive mines, and to
understand better the effect of mining on the environment. CONSOL Energy also
maintains extensive testing and sampling capabilities at its research and
development facilities to address coal quality issues, and to solve in a cost-
effective manner such environmental problems as acid mine drainage and plant
emission controls. In recent years, CONSOL Energy has obtained (or applied for)
various patents, including froth floatation control systems to improve
preparation plant efficiencies and costs, the TramVeyor(TM) coal haulage
systems to increase productivity in continuous miner sections, devices to
extend conveyor belts as mining advances without interrupting belt operations,
and a device that allows continued mine ventilation during periodic testing.
       
The downstream program supports CONSOL Energy's coal sales through the
development of improved coal use technologies, and by assigning research and
development staff to participate in the government regulatory process where it
affects the use of coal. The Research and Development Department operates a
pilot combustor and a moveable-wall coke oven to test and qualify coal for
virtually any customer application and to diagnose and solve operating problems
at customer facilities that might otherwise limit the use of CONSOL Energy's
coal. The Research and Development Department has developed the proprietary
CONSOL Energy, Coal Quality Cost Model as a tool for determining the value of
specific coals based on the busbar power cost when they are used in electricity
generating stations. Alone, or in combination with the pilot combustor, the
Coal Quality Cost Model allows CONSOL Energy's sales force and its customers to
identify the best coals for a given application.     
   
CONSOL Energy not only has extensive coal-testing capabilities, but it can
provide customers with field diagnostic services to evaluate and solve coal
combustion problems. These capabilities not only help preserve existing
business, but allow CONSOL Energy to generate new business opportunities. For
example, CONSOL Energy recently resolved concerns about the use of CONSOL
Energy coal for blending in an electricity generating station of an upper
midwest electric utility. The station primarily burned low-Btu, Western coal
for blending with a lesser amount of high-sulfur Eastern coal from another
producer. The utility wanted to consider CONSOL Energy's high Btu, fully-
washed, Pittsburgh # 8 seam coal, but was concerned that this coal would create
slagging and fouling problems, if substituted in the blend. By testing blends
in the Research & Development Department's pilot-scale coal combustion facility
and working with the utility's station operators, CONSOL Energy demonstrated
that fully washed, high Btu coal could be part of the blend. As a result,
CONSOL Energy's coal was qualified and ultimately chosen by the customer.     
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
 
   
The Research and Development Department's work on the development of coal
utilization technology is directed principally at reducing the cost of
compliance with environmental regulations for existing coal-fired boilers.
CONSOL Energy believes that existing electricity generating stations will be
the site of increased coal use as operators of these stations seek to increase
the utilization of the capacity of the generating units. The Research and
Development Department is engaged in the development and demonstration of low-
cost retrofit technology for the control of sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen
and other post-combustion air emissions and for the control of solid waste. For
example, CONSOL Energy was recently awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of
Energy to construct a pilot plant to turn scrubber sludge into pellets that can
be used as aggregate in road construction. A test of asphalt using sludge
pellets currently is being conducted at a road repair and construction project.
If successful, this technology will transform scrubber sludge, which would
otherwise have to be land-filled, into a commercial product, reducing the costs
of using high-sulfur coal.     
 
Employees and Labor Relations
   
At December 31, 1998, CONSOL Energy had a total of 8,578 employees, of whom
approximately 4,273 were represented by the United Mine Workers of America and
covered by the terms of the 1998 National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement. The
National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement became effective on January 1, 1998 and
will expire on December 31, 2002. This agreement is negotiated with the United
Mine Workers of America by the Bituminous Coal Operators' Association on behalf
of its members, which includes several subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy. The
National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement also serves as a pattern agreement for
other coal producers with employees represented by the United Mine Workers of
America. About 41% of the U.S. miners are represented by the United Mine
Workers of America.     
   
The National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement provided moderate wage and benefit
increases and pension improvements and additional scheduling flexibility, and
will reduce required contributions to multi-employer benefits funds over the
life of the contract. Since 1984, the United Mine Workers of America has had
only one nationwide strike, which occurred in 1993. CONSOL Energy believes that
the current labor environment is stable.     
 
Competition
   
The U.S. coal industry is highly competitive, with numerous producers in all
coal producing regions. CONSOL Energy competes against other large producers
and hundreds of small producers in the United States and overseas. The largest
producer is estimated to have less than 15% (based on tonnage sold) of the
total U.S. market. The U.S. Department of Energy reports 1,810 active coal
mines in the United States in 1997, the latest year for which government
statistics are available. The U.S. coal industry is going through a period of
rapid consolidation. Oil, steel and utility companies have been selling their
coal assets, which have been acquired for the most part by mining companies.
The most important factors on which CONSOL Energy competes are coal price at
the mine, coal quality, transportation costs from the mine to the customer and
the reliability of supply. Continued demand for CONSOL Energy's coal and the
prices that CONSOL Energy obtains are affected by demand for electricity,
environmental and government regulation, technological developments and the
availability and price of competing coal and alternative fuel supplies,
including nuclear, natural gas, oil or renewable energy, including
hydroelectric power.     
 
Non-Mining Operations
   
CONSOL Energy's non-mining operations started as service, support or ancillary
functions for its mining operations. Several have grown to be stand-alone
businesses that obtain a large part of their revenues from outside customers.
    
Fairmont Supply Company
 
Fairmont Supply Company, headquartered in Washington, Pennsylvania, is one of
the largest general-line distributors of mining and industrial supplies in the
United States. Fairmont Supply has more than 30 customer service centers
nationwide. All Fairmont Supply sites are linked by computer to manage large
inventories of name-brand parts, supplies and equipment, which helps reduce
Fairmont Supply's distribution and product acquisition costs.
 
Fairmont Supply also provides integrated supply procurement and management
services. Integrated supply procurement is a materials management strategy that
utilizes a single, full-line distributor to minimize total cost in the MRO
(maintenance, repair and operating) supply chain. Fairmont Supply offers value-
added services including on-site stores management and procurement strategies.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
 
   
In 1997, Fairmont Supply received ISO 9002 re-certification at its Wilmington,
Delaware, Charleston, West Virginia and Parkersburg, West Virginia customer
service centers as well as at its purchasing department in Washington,
Pennsylvania. ISO 9002 is an international certification that provides
independent verification that a company's operating, purchasing and other
procedures meet a prescribed standard. The certification requires annual
renewal. CONSOL Energy believes that its ISO 9002 certification gives Fairmont
Supply a marketing advantage because many customers require that their
suppliers meet this standard.     
   
Fairmont Supply provides mine supplies to CONSOL Energy's mining operations.
Approximately 32% of Fairmont Supply's sales in 1998 were made to CONSOL Energy
mines. Fairmont Supply also serves DuPont sites in the United States providing
maintenance and repair services and operating supplies and equipment in a
central location near each plant. Approximately 32% of Fairmont Supply's
revenues in 1998 were derived from sales made and services provided to DuPont,
based on contract terms and conditions. See Note 22 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.     
   
Fairmont Supply operates under a Strategic Alliance Agreement with DuPont.
Fairmont Supply provides various maintenance, repair and operating supplies to
DuPont plant sites both in the United States and abroad. The products supplied
are primarily valves, fittings, bearings, electrical products, safety products
and miscellaneous industrial products. The majority of the products are shipped
to 31 large plant sites in the United States with smaller volume shipments to
approximately another 50 sites in the United States and abroad. Under the
Strategic Alliance Agreement, Fairmont Supply provides other material
management services to 16 of the larger sites in the United States. The
additional services may include a single source integrated supply program, "in-
plant" delivery services, storeroom management, procurement services, and
critical material inspection services. The specific programs are tailored to
individual plant requirements and may vary from site to site. In 1998, DuPont
was Fairmont Supply's second largest customer in sales volume. The terms of the
Strategic Alliance Agreement are comparable to terms negotiated by Fairmont
Supply with unaffiliated parties.     
 
Baltimore Terminal
   
More than 90 million tons of coal have been shipped through our exporting
terminal in the Port of Baltimore during the terminal's 14 years of operation.
       
Constructed in the early 1980s at a cost of about $100 million, the terminal
can either store coal or transload coal directly into vessels from rail cars.
It is also one of the few terminals in the United States served by two
railroads, Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation. In 1998, 7 million tons of
coal were shipped through the terminal. Approximately two-thirds of the tonnage
shipped was produced by CONSOL Energy coal mines, the remainder by other coal
producers through several coal trading companies. In 1998, about 33% of the
revenue at the terminal was generated from coal that CONSOL Energy shipped but
that had been produced by others. The terminal has capacity to ship 18 million
tons annually.     
 
The terminal's berth has a depth of 50 feet, enabling the facility to handle
larger ocean-going vessels. More than 1 million tons of coal can be stored on
site, which gives the terminal the advantage of having coal available at the
site for immediate loading onto ocean-going vessels or to provide blending
capability.
 
Neptune Bulk Terminal
   
We also have a 19% interest in the Neptune Bulk Terminal located in Vancouver,
Canada. The terms of the contract governing this joint venture permit CONSOL
Energy to transship its coal through the terminal at cost. CONSOL Energy
believes that this arrangement gives it a competitive advantage in selling coal
mined from its Cardinal River operations.     
 
River Operations
   
Our river operations transport coal from our mines with river loadout
facilities along the Monongahela River in northern West Virginia and
southwestern Pennsylvania to customers along the Monongahela and Ohio rivers.
The river operations employ five company-owned towboats and nearly 300 barges.
Coal is towed directly to customers. In 1998, we transported 12.0 million tons
of coal by river. Third-party shippers transported an additional 1.7 million
tons of our coal.     
 
Kellogg Dock
   
Kellogg Dock is located in Moduc, Randolph County on the Mississippi River in
southern Illinois. This facility transfers coal from CONSOL Energy's Rend Lake
Mine from railcars to barges. In 1998, 1 million tons were supplied by rail to
the Kellogg dock and then transported to commercial river shippers.     
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
 
Alicia Dock
   
Alicia Dock, located on the Monongahela River north of the Dilworth mine, is a
new transshipment facility with design capacity of 6 million tons of coal per
year and potential storage capacity for 0.2 million tons of coal. Coal is
transferred from rail cars to barges for customers that receive coal on the
river system. The facilities include a single-car rotary dump with a
positioner, capable of handling an average of 25 cars per hour. The rail siding
provides space for 105 cars on each side of the dumper. The Alicia Dock
facility became operational in April 1997. Throughput was 1 million tons in
1998.     
 
Ash Disposal
   
CONSOL Energy operates an ash disposal facility on a 61-acre site in northern
West Virginia to handle ash residues for coal customers that are unable to
dispose of ash on-site at their generating facilities. This facility became
operational in early 1994. The ash disposal facility can process 200 tons of
material per hour.     
   
CONSOL Energy has a long-term contract with a cogeneration facility to supply
coal and take the residual fly ash and bottom ash. The fly ash is transported
to the disposal site by CONSOL Energy-leased pressure differential rail cars.
Bottom ash is sold locally for road construction and other purposes.     
 
Gas Operations
   
We have a 50% interest in the Pocahontas Gas Partnership which engages in the
production and transportation of commercial coalbed methane gases. The
Pocahontas Gas Partnership recovers pipeline-quality coalbed methane from
mining activities in southwestern Virginia and transports the gas to the
interstate pipeline system. The production from the Pocahontas Gas Partnership
was approximately 33 million cubic feet per day in 1998. We serve as operator
of the Pocahontas Gas Partnership and as operator of an adjacent coalbed
methane property. The total gas production supervised by us from these two
ventures was 72 million cubic feet per day in 1998.     
 
Legal Proceedings
   
CONSOL Energy is subject to numerous legal proceedings in the ordinary course
of its business. Except as described below, CONSOL Energy does not believe that
the outcome of any such legal proceedings, if adversely determined, would have
a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of
operations.     
   
On September 18, 1996, Union Electric, a Missouri corporation, commenced an
action in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri against
Consolidation Coal Company, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL
Energy Inc., CONSOL Inc., and CONSOL Energy Inc. alleging, among other things,
breach of contract and asserting unjust enrichment claims against each
defendant. The claims relate to a long-term coal supply contract originally
entered into between Union Electric and Consolidation Coal Company on
December 30, 1966. Union Electric claims that Consolidation Coal Company
breached the contract by refusing to agree to price reductions in the per-ton
price for coal when requested to do so by Union Electric under the contract's
gross inequities clause. The defendants dispute all of Union Electric's
allegations and do not believe that Union Electric has suffered any gross
inequity or is entitled to any relief under the contract. Union Electric has
estimated its damages to be $124 million plus $66 million in interest. On
August 31, 1998, CONSOL Energy was awarded a summary judgment dismissing Union
Electric's claims against it. Union Electric has appealed the court's order
dismissing the suit.     
   
CONSOL Energy is engaged in a contract dispute with Cleveland Electric
Illuminating Company, Duquesne Light Company, Ohio Edison Company, Pennsylvania
Power Company and The Toledo Edison Company. CAPCO claims that CONSOL Energy
under the terms of the Mansfield Plant Coal Sales Agreement dated April 10,
1987 made improper adjustments to the coal price for certain labor, retirement
and benefit costs. CAPCO claims that they were improperly assessed $50 million
as a result of the price adjustments made by CONSOL Energy. CONSOL Energy has
responded to CAPCO and has denied the claims. The agreement provides for
resolution of disputes by arbitration. CONSOL Energy has received a notice from
CAPCO of its intention to submit the claims to arbitration.     
 
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
 
Available Information
   
CONSOL Energy has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a
registration statement in order to register the shares of common stock being
offered under the Securities Act. This prospectus omits certain information
contained in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules that are
part of the registration statement, and CONSOL Energy sometimes refers the
reader to the registration statement for further information with respect to
CONSOL Energy and the common stock. CONSOL Energy has summarized the contents
of contracts, agreements or other documents in this prospectus.     
   
The reader may inspect and copy the registration statement and all exhibits
filed with the registration statement at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional offices of the
Securities and Exchange Commission at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New
York, New York 10048, and at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661. The reader also may obtain copies of such material from the
Public Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Securities and
Exchange Commission also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other materials that are filed through the
Securities and Exchange Commission's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and
Retrieval System. The reader may access this web site at http://www.sec.gov.
CONSOL Energy has been authorized to list its common stock on The New York
Stock Exchange subject to official notice of issuance. Accordingly, CONSOL
Energy's reports and other information also can be inspected at the offices of
The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
    
                                       56
<PAGE>
 
                                   
                                Regulation     
   
The coal mining industry is subject to regulation by federal, state and local
authorities on matters such as employee health and safety, permitting and
licensing requirements, air quality standards, water pollution, plant and
wildlife protection, the reclamation and restoration of mining properties after
mining is completed, the discharge of materials into the environment, surface
subsidence from the underground mining and the effects of mining on groundwater
quality and availability. In addition, the utility industry is subject to
extensive regulation regarding the environmental impact of its power generation
activities which could affect demand for CONSOL Energy's coal. The possibility
exists that new legislation or regulations may be adopted which may have a
significant impact on CONSOL Energy's mining operations or its customers'
ability to use coal and may require CONSOL Energy or its customers to change
their operations significantly or incur substantial costs.     
   
Numerous governmental permits or approvals are required for mining operations.
CONSOL Energy believes all permits currently required to conduct its present
mining operations have been obtained. CONSOL Energy may be required to prepare
and present to federal, state or local authorities data pertaining to the
effect or impact that any proposed exploration for or production of coal may
have upon the environment. All requirements imposed by any such authority may
be costly and time-consuming and may delay commencement or continuation of
exploration or production operations. Future legislation and administrative
regulations may emphasize the protection of the environment and, as a
consequence, the activities of CONSOL Energy may be more closely regulated.
Such legislation and regulations, as well as future interpretations of existing
laws, may require substantial increases in equipment and operating costs to
CONSOL Energy and delays, interruptions or a termination of operations, the
extent of which cannot be predicted.     
   
CONSOL Energy endeavors to conduct mining operations in compliance with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. However, because of
extensive and comprehensive regulatory requirements, violations during mining
operations are not unusual in the industry and, notwithstanding compliance
efforts, CONSOL Energy does not believe such violations can be eliminated
completely. None of the violations to date or the monetary penalties assessed
have been material.     
   
While it is not possible to quantify the costs of compliance with all
applicable federal and state laws, those costs have been and are expected to
continue to be significant. CONSOL Energy made capital expenditures for
environmental control facilities in the amount of approximately $1 million in
1998, as compared to $4 million and $5 million in 1996 and 1997, respectively.
These costs are in addition to reclamation costs. Compliance with these laws
has substantially increased the cost of coal mining, but is, in general, a cost
common to all domestic coal producers.     
 
Mine Health and Safety Laws
   
Stringent safety and health standards have been imposed by federal legislation
since 1969 when the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 was
adopted. The Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 resulted in increased operating
costs and reduced productivity. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977,
which significantly expanded the enforcement of health and safety standards of
the Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, imposes comprehensive safety and health
standards on all mining operations. Regulations are comprehensive and affect
numerous aspects of mining operations, including training of mine personnel,
mining procedures, blasting, the equipment used in mining operations and other
matters. The Mine Safety and Health Administration monitors compliance with
these federal laws and regulations. In addition, as part of the Mine Health and
Safety Act of 1969 and the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, the Black Lung
Acts require payments of benefits by all businesses conducting current mining
operations to coal miners with black lung and to certain survivors of a miner
who dies from black lung.     
   
Most of the states in which CONSOL Energy operates have state programs for mine
safety and health regulation and enforcement. In combination, federal and state
safety and health regulation in the coal mining industry is perhaps the most
comprehensive and pervasive system for protection of employee safety and health
affecting any segment of the industry. Even the most minute aspects of mine
operations, particularly underground mine operations, are subject to extensive
regulation. This regulation has a significant effect on CONSOL Energy's
operating costs. However, CONSOL Energy's competitors in all of the areas in
which it operates are subject to the same degree of regulation.     
 
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
 
   
One of CONSOL Energy's goals is to achieve excellent health and safety
performance as measured by accident frequency rates and other measures. CONSOL
Energy believes that attainment of this goal is inherently tied to the
attainment of productivity and financial goals. CONSOL Energy seeks to
implement this goal by training employees in safe work practices; openly
communicating with employees; establishing, following, and improving safety
standards; involving employees in establishing safety standards; and recording,
reporting and investigating all accidents, incidents and losses to avoid
reoccurrences.     
 
Black Lung Legislation
   
In order to compensate     
     
  .miners who are totally disabled due to black lung and     
     
  .  certain survivors of miners who died from the disease and who were last
     employed as miners prior to 1970 or where no responsible coal mine
     operator has been identified for claims where the miner's last coal
     employment was after December 31, 1969, the Black Lung Acts levied a tax
     on production of $1.10 per ton for deep-mined coal and $.55 per ton for
     surface-mined coal, but not to exceed 4.4% of the sales price.     
   
In addition, the Black Lung Acts provide that certain claims for which coal
operators had previously been responsible will be obligations of the government
trust funded by the tax. The Revenue Act of 1987 extended the termination date
of the tax from January 1, 1996 to the earlier of January 1, 2014, or the date
on which the government trust becomes solvent. For miners last employed as
miners after 1969 who are determined to have contracted black lung, CONSOL
Energy self insures against potential cost using actuarially determined
estimates of the cost of present and future claims. CONSOL Energy's
subsidiaries are also liable under state statutes for black lung claims.     
 
In the past, legislation on black lung reform has been introduced, but not
enacted, in Congress. It is possible that such legislation will be
reintroduced. Such legislation could
     
  .  restrict the evidence that can be offered by a mining company,     
     
  .  establish a standard for evaluation of evidence that greatly favors
     black lung claimants,     
     
  .  allow claimants who have been denied benefits at any time since 1981 to
     refile their claims for consideration under the new law,     
     
  .  make surviving spouse benefits significantly easier to obtain, and     
     
  .  retroactively waive repayment of preliminarily awarded benefits that are
     later determined to have been improperly paid.     
   
If this or similar legislation is passed, the number of claimants who are
awarded benefits could significantly increase. There can be no assurance that
such proposed legislation or other proposed changes in black lung legislation
will not have an adverse effect on CONSOL Energy.     
   
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued proposed amendments to the regulations
implementing the federal black lung laws which, among other things, establish a
presumption in favor of a claimant's treating physician and limit a coal
operator's ability to introduce medical evidence regarding the claimant's
medical condition. If adopted, the amendments could have an adverse impact on
CONSOL Energy, the extent of which cannot be accurately predicted.     
 
Workers' Compensation
   
CONSOL Energy is required to compensate employees for work-related injuries.
Several states in which CONSOL Energy operates consider changes in workers
compensation laws from time to time. Such changes, if enacted, could adversely
affect CONSOL Energy's financial condition and results of operation.     
 
Retiree Health Benefits Legislation
   
The Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefits Act of 1992 requires us to make
payments to fund the cost of health benefits for our and other coal industry
retirees. As a result of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, we may be
required to increase our share of such payments.     
 
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
 
Environmental Laws
   
CONSOL Energy is subject to various federal environmental laws, including     
     
  .  the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977,     
     
  .  the Clean Air Act,     
     
  .  the Clean Water Act,     
     
  .  the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
     Liability Act, and     
          
  .  the federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act as well as state laws of
     similar scope in each state in which we operate.     
   
These environmental laws require permitting and/or approval of many aspects of
coal mining operations, and to that end both federal and state inspectors
regularly visit our mines and other facilities to assure compliance. CONSOL
Energy has ongoing compliance and permitting programs to assure compliance with
such environmental laws.     
   
Given the retroactive nature of certain environmental laws, CONSOL Energy has
incurred and may in the future incur liabilities in connection with properties
and facilities currently or previously owned or operated as well as sites to
which it sent waste materials.     
 
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
   
The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act establishes operational,
reclamation and closure standards for all aspects of surface mining as well as
many aspects of deep mining. The act requires that comprehensive environmental
protection and reclamation standards be met during the course of and upon
completion of mining activities. Permits for surface mining operations must be
obtained from the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
or, where state regulatory agencies have adopted federally approved state
programs under the act, the appropriate state regulatory authority. All states
in which CONSOL Energy's active mining operations are located have achieved
primary jurisdiction for enforcement of the act through approved state
programs.     
   
The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and similar state statutes,
among other things, require that mined property be restored in accordance with
specified standards and approved reclamation plans. The act requires CONSOL
Energy to restore the surface to approximate the original contours as
contemporaneously as practicable with the completion of surface mining
operations. The mine operator must submit a bond or otherwise secure the
performance of these reclamation obligations. The earliest a reclamation bond
can be released is five years after reclamation has been achieved. Some states,
including Pennsylvania, impose on mine operators the responsibility for
repairing or compensating for damage occurring on the surface as a result of
mine subsidence, a consequence of longwall mining. In addition, the Abandoned
Mine Lands Act, which is part of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act, imposes a tax on all current mining operations, the proceeds of which are
used to restore mines closed before 1977. The maximum tax is $.35 per ton on
surface-mined coal and $.15 per ton on underground-mined coal.     
   
CONSOL Energy accrues for the costs of final mine closure, including the cost
of treating mine water discharge where necessary, over the estimated useful
mining life of the property and for current mine disturbance which will be
reclaimed prior to final mine closure. The establishment of liability for the
current disturbance and final mine closure reclamation is based upon permit
requirements and requires various estimates and assumptions, principally
associated with costs and production levels. The reclamation costs, mine-
closing costs and other environmental liability accruals were $329 million at
December 31, 1998. The amount that was included as an operating expense for the
year ended December 31, 1998 was $12 million, while the related cash expense
for such liability in such period was $30 million. Although CONSOL Energy's
management believes it is making adequate provisions for all expected
reclamation and other costs associated with mine closures, future operating
results would be adversely affected if such accruals were later determined to
be insufficient.     
 
Under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, responsibility for
unabated violations, unpaid civil penalties and unpaid reclamation fees of
independent contract mine operators can be imputed to other companies which are
deemed, according to the regulations, to have "owned" or "controlled" the
contract mine operator. Sanctions against the "owner" or "controller" are quite
severe and can include being blocked from receiving new
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
 
   
permits and revocation of any permits that have been issued since the time of
the violations or, in the case of civil penalties and reclamation fees, since
the time such amounts became due. CONSOL Energy is not aware of any currently
pending or asserted claims relating to the "ownership" or "control" theories
discussed above. However, there can be no assurance that such claims may
develop in the future.     
 
Clean Air Act
   
The federal Clean Air Act and similar state laws, which regulate emissions into
the air, affect coal mining and processing operations primarily through
permitting and/or emissions control requirements. In addition, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency has issued certain, and is considering further,
regulations relating to fugitive dust and coal combustion emissions which could
restrict CONSOL Energy's ability to develop new mines or require CONSOL Energy
to modify its operations. In July 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency
adopted new, more stringent National Ambient Air Quality Standards for
particulate matter which may require some states to change existing
implementation plans. These National Ambient Air Quality Standards are expected
to be implemented by 2003. Because coal mining operations emit particulate
matter, CONSOL Energy's mining operations and utility customers are likely to
be directly affected when the revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards are implemented by the states. Regulations may restrict CONSOL
Energy's ability to develop new mines or could require CONSOL Energy to modify
its existing operations, and may have a material adverse effect on CONSOL
Energy's financial condition and results of operations.     
 
The Clean Air Act also indirectly affects coal mining operations by extensively
regulating the air emissions of coal-fueled electric power generating plants.
The Clean Air Act requires reduction of sulfur dioxide emissions from electric
power generation plants in two phases. Only certain facilities are subject to
the Phase I requirements. By the year 2000, Phase II requires nearly all
facilities to reduce such emissions. The affected utilities will be able to
meet these requirements by switching to lower sulfur fuels, by installing
pollution control devices such as scrubbers, by reducing electricity generating
levels or by purchasing or trading so-called pollution "credits." Specific
emissions sources receive these "credits" which utilities and industrial
concerns can trade or sell to allow other units to emit higher levels of sulfur
dioxide. In addition, the Clean Air Act requires a study of utility power plant
emission of certain toxic substances and their eventual regulation, if
warranted. The effect of the Clean Air Act cannot be completely ascertained at
this time, although the sulfur dioxide emissions reduction requirement is
projected generally to increase the demand for low-sulfur coal and potentially
decrease demand for high sulfur coal.
   
The Clean Air Act also indirectly affects coal mining operations by requiring
utilities that currently are major sources of nitrogen oxides in moderate or
higher ozone nonattainment areas to install reasonably available control
technology for nitrogen oxides, which are precursors of ozone. The
Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a proposal that would
require 22 eastern states to make substantial reductions in nitrogen oxide
emissions by the year 2003. The Environmental Protection Agency expects such
states will achieve these reductions by requiring power plants to make
substantial reductions in their nitrogen oxide emissions. This in turn will
require power plants to install reasonably available control technology and
additional control measures. Installation of reasonably available control
technology and additional measures required under the Environmental Protection
Agency proposal will make it more costly to operate coal-fired plants and,
depending on the requirements of individual state implementation plans and the
development of revised new source performance standards, could make coal a less
attractive fuel alternative in the planning and building of utility power
plants in the future. Any reduction in coal's share of the capacity for power
generation could have a material adverse effect on CONSOL Energy's business,
financial condition and results of operations. The effect such regulations, or
other requirements that may be imposed in the future, could have on the coal
industry in general and on CONSOL Energy in particular cannot be predicted with
certainty. No assurance can be given that the implementation of the Clean Air
Act, the new National Ambient Air Quality Standards or any other future
regulatory provisions will not materially adversely affect CONSOL Energy's
business, financial condition or results of operations.     
   
Framework Convention On Global Climate Change     
 
The United States and more than 160 other nations are signatories to the 1992
Framework Convention on Global Climate Change which is intended to limit or
capture emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. In the Kyoto
Protocol, the signatories to the Framework Convention on Global Climate Change
established a binding set of emissions targets for developed nations. The
specific limits vary from country to country. Under the terms of
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
 
   
Kyoto Protocol, the United States would be required to reduce emissions to 93%
of 1990 levels over a five-year budget period from 2008 through 2012. The
Clinton Administration signed the protocol in November 1998. Although the U.S.
Senate has not yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol and no comprehensive regulations
focusing on greenhouse gas emissions have been enacted, efforts to control
greenhouse gas emissions could result in reduced use of coal if electric power
generators switch to lower carbon sources of fuel. Such restrictions, if
established through regulation or legislation, could have a material adverse
effect on CONSOL Energy's business, financial condition and results of
operations.     
 
Clean Water Act
   
The federal Clean Water Act affects coal mining operations by imposing
restrictions on effluent discharge into waters. Regular monitoring, as well as
compliance with reporting requirements and performance standards, are
preconditions for the issuance and renewal of permits governing the discharge
of pollutants into water. CONSOL Energy believes it has obtained all permits
required under the Clean Water Act and that compliance with the Clean Water Act
will not materially adversely affect its business, financial condition and
results of operations. CONSOL Energy has received several notices of violations
from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency at its Powhatan Mine No. 4,
located near Clarington, Monroe County, Ohio. In September 1998, CONSOL Energy
entered into a settlement agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection
Agency and finalized a consent decree with the Ohio Environmental Protection
Agency reflecting the resolution of outstanding issues. This settlement
included a payment of $102,620 and a schedule to achieve compliance with its
permit. CONSOL Energy is meeting all Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
requirements on the schedule set forth in the consent decree.     
 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
   
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and
similar state laws affect coal mining operations by, among other things,
imposing cleanup requirements for threatened or actual releases of hazardous
substances that may endanger public health or welfare or the environment. Under
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, joint
and several liability may be imposed on waste generators, site owners and
operators and others regardless of fault or the legality of the original
disposal activity. Although waste substances generated by coal mining and
processing are generally not regarded as hazardous substances for the purposes
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act,
some products used by coal companies in operations, such as chemicals, and the
disposal of such products, are governed by the statute. Thus, coal mines
currently or previously owned or operated by CONSOL Energy, and sites to which
CONSOL Energy sent waste materials, may be subject to liability under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and
similar state laws. CONSOL Energy has been, from time to time, the subject of
administrative proceedings, litigation and investigations relating to
environmental matters and has also been named as a potentially responsible
party at several Superfund sites. CONSOL Energy believes, based on various
factors, that the liabilities associated with the Superfund sites should not
have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of
operations. However, there can be no assurances that CONSOL Energy will not
become involved in future proceedings, litigation or investigations or that
such liabilities will not be material.     
 
Resource Conservation Recovery Act
   
The federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act affects coal mining operations
by imposing requirements for the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous
wastes. Although many mining wastes are excluded from the regulatory definition
of hazardous waste, and coal mining operations covered by the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act permits are exempted from regulation under the
Resource Conservation Recovery Act by statute, the Environmental Protection
Agency may consider the possibility of expanding regulation of mining wastes
under the Resource Conservation Recovery Act. Such expansion could have a
material adverse affect on CONSOL Energy's results of operations and financial
condition.     
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
 
Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act
   
Although CONSOL Energy currently does not have mining operations on federal
coal leases, mining operations on federal lands in the West are affected by
regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Federal Coal Leasing
Amendments Act of 1976 amended the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920 which
authorized the leasing of federal lands for coal mining. The Federal Coal
Leasing Amendments Act increased the royalties payable to the U.S. Government
for federal coal leases and required diligent development and continuous
operations of leased reserves within a specified period of time. Regulations
adopted by the U.S. Department of the Interior to implement such legislation
could affect coal mining by CONSOL Energy from federal leases if operations
were developed on such leases.     
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
 
                                   
                                Management     
 
Directors and Executive Officers
   
Set forth below are the names and ages at March 19, 1999, of the executive
officers and directors of CONSOL Energy Inc. and certain executive officers of
CONSOL Inc. and Consolidation Coal Company. Consolidation Coal Company is the
principal operating subsidiary of CONSOL Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc. is the
direct holding company subsidiary of CONSOL Energy Inc. that provides
executive, management and administrative services for the consolidated group.
No family relationship exists among these people. Executive officers are
appointed by, and hold office at, the discretion of the Board of Directors of
CONSOL Energy Inc., CONSOL Inc. and Consolidation Coal Company, respectively.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 Name                   Age Position
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>                    <C> <S>
 J. Brett Harvey.......  48 Director and President and Chief Executive Officer,
                            CONSOL Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc.
 Ronald J. FlorJancic..  48 Executive Vice President--Marketing, CONSOL Inc.
 C. Wesley McDonald....  59 Executive Vice President--Operations, CONSOL Inc.
 Ronald E. Smith.......  50 Executive Vice President--Engineering Services,
                            Environmental Affairs and Exploration, CONSOL Inc.
 Dr. Rolf Zimmermann...  54 Executive Vice President of CONSOL Energy Inc. and
                            CONSOL Inc. and Director, CONSOL Energy Inc. and
                            CONSOL Inc.
 Michael F. Nemser.....  49 Vice President and Treasurer, CONSOL Energy Inc.
                            and Senior Vice President--Chief Financial Officer,
                            CONSOL Inc.
 Grayson G. Heard......  51 Senior Vice President--Mining and Director,
                            Consolidation Coal Company
 Benjamin M. Statler...  47 Senior Vice President--Mining and Director,
                            Consolidation Coal Company
 Daniel L. Fassio......  51 Vice President and Secretary, CONSOL Energy Inc.
                            and Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
                            of CONSOL Inc.
 John L. Whitmire......  58 Chairman of the Board of Directors, CONSOL Energy
                            Inc. and CONSOL Inc.
 B. R. Brown...........  66 Director, CONSOL Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc.
 Dr. Dieter Henning....  62 Director, CONSOL Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc.
 Berthold Bonekamp.....  48 Director, CONSOL Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc.
 Bernd J. Breloer......  55 Director, CONSOL Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc.
</TABLE>    
   
J. Brett Harvey has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of
CONSOL Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc. since January 1998. Prior to joining CONSOL
Energy, Mr. Harvey served as the president and chief executive officer of
PacifiCorp Energy Inc., a subsidiary of PacifiCorp, one of the country's
largest electric utility companies, beginning in 1995. Between 1993 and 1995,
Mr. Harvey was president and chief executive officer of both Interwest Mining
Company and PacifiCorp Fuels. Mr. Harvey is a member of the Board of Directors
of the National Mining Association, the National Coal Council, and the Utah
Mining Association. He received a bachelor's degree in mining engineering from
the University of Utah. He is a former director of the Wasatch Crest Mutual
Insurance Company and has served on the Construction Board of the College of
Eastern Utah.     
   
Ronald J. FlorJancic has been Executive Vice President--Marketing of CONSOL
Inc. since May 1995. He was Vice President--Supply and Distribution from
January 1992 to December 1993 and Vice President--Sales from December 1993 to
May 1995. From September 1982 to January 1992, he served as Vice President--
Supply and Distribution for Consolidation Coal Company. Prior to September
1982, he served in a variety of operations and management positions. Mr.
FlorJancic joined Consolidation Coal Company in 1974. He received a bachelor's
degree in business and a master's degree in business administration, in each
case magna cum laude, from Indiana University (Bloomington). Mr. FlorJancic
completed the Emory University Executive Management Program in 1987.     
   
C. Wesley McDonald has been Executive Vice President--Operations of CONSOL Inc.
since January 1992. He was employed by Consolidation Coal Company in June 1967,
and held numerous operating and management positions from 1975 to 1981,
including Vice President and Assistant to the President for Consolidation Coal
Company from 1980 to 1981. He also served as Senior Vice President--
Engineering, Exploration and Environmental Affairs from 1981 to 1982, Senior
Vice President--Mining from 1982 to 1985 and Executive Vice President--
Operations for Consolidation Coal Company from 1985 to 1992.     
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
 
Mr. McDonald received a bachelor's degree in mining engineering from the
University of Alabama. He attended Harvard Business School's Program for
Management Development. He was named a Distinguished Engineering Fellow in 1987
at the University of Alabama, and is a member of the Board of Directors,
Capstone Engineering Society, College of Engineering, at the University. In
addition, Mr. McDonald is former Chairman of the Mineral Engineering Advisory
Committee, University of Alabama College of Engineering. He is also a member of
the West Virginia University Visiting Committee, which advises the University
on engineering program matters.
   
Ronald E. Smith has been Executive Vice President--Engineering Services,
Environmental Affairs & Exploration of CONSOL Inc. since April 1992. He joined
Consolidation Coal Company in June 1969 and has held numerous operating and
management positions, including Administrative Assistant to the Vice
President--Tazewell Operations in 1981, Vice President and Assistant to the
Executive Vice President in 1987 and Senior Vice President--Engineering
Services, Environmental Affairs & Exploration for Consolidation Coal Company
from April 1990 to January 1992. Mr. Smith received a bachelor's degree in
mining engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and was named a
Distinguished Alumnus in 1998.     
   
Dr. Rolf Zimmermann has been Executive Vice President of CONSOL Inc. since
January 1999 and of CONSOL Energy Inc. since February 1999. He has been on the
Board of CONSOL Energy Inc. and of CONSOL Inc. since November 1993, where he
serves as a representative of Rheinbraun A.G. In 1973, he served in the
Corporate Planning Department of the oil refinery subsidiary of Rheinbraun A.G.
He became Vice President and head of supply in 1985. He joined Rheinbraun A.G.
in 1989 and was the head of Corporate Structure and Internal Audit Department
until 1990. From 1990 to 1991, he was a member of the management board of a
consulting firm established to prepare for the privatization of the East German
lignite industry. In 1992, he became Senior Vice President of Rheinbraun A.G.
and head of the Business Development, Corporate Structure and Information
Processing Division. Mr. Zimmermann has received a master's degree (Diplom-
Volkswirt) in Economics from Bonn University and holds a doctor's degree
(Dr.rer.pol.) in Economics from Cologne University in Germany.     
   
Michael F. Nemser has been Vice President and Treasurer for CONSOL Energy Inc.
since January 1992 and has been Senior Vice President--Chief Financial Officer
for CONSOL Inc. since January 1999. He was Senior Vice President--
Administration for CONSOL Inc. from January 1996 until January 1999. He was
Vice President and Treasurer from January 1992 to January 1996 for CONSOL Inc.
He was Vice President and Treasurer of Consolidation Coal Company from
September 1987 to January 1992. Before joining CONSOL Energy, Mr. Nemser was
employed by DuPont from 1974 to 1987, and held a variety of positions in
DuPont's Accounting, Finance, Textile Fibers, International and Polymer
Products Departments. He received a bachelor's degree in economics from Hobart
College and a master's degree of business administration degree from the
Wharton School. Mr. Nemser is a past President of the Financial Executives
Institute, Pittsburgh Chapter, a current member of the National Leadership
Board of the Financial Executives Institute and Chairman of the Finance
Advisory Board of the Duquesne University A.J. Palumbo School of Business.     
   
Grayson G. Heard has been Senior Vice President--Mining and a Director of
Consolidation Coal Company since May 1985. He has been employed by
Consolidation Coal Company since February 1970 and has held numerous
operational and management positions. From 1980 until 1984, he was Vice
President of Fairmont Operations. From 1984 until 1985 he was Vice President
and Assistant to the Executive Vice President--Operations. Mr. Heard received a
bachelor's degree in mining engineering from Penn State University. In 1996, he
was honored as a Centennial Fellow of Penn State University.     
   
Benjamin M. Statler has been Senior Vice President--Mining and a Director of
Consolidation Coal Company since September 1994. He has been employed by
Consolidation Coal Company since February 1970 and has held numerous
operational and management positions. He served as Vice President of
Moundsville Operations from September 1983 to June 1994. From June 1994 until
September 1994, he was Vice President and Assistant to the Executive Vice
President of Consolidation Coal Company. Mr. Statler received a bachelor's
degree in mining engineering from West Virginia University. He is a past
director of the Executive Committee of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy &
Exploration, Inc. (SME), Pittsburgh Chapter. In addition, he is past General
Campaign Chairman of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley and has served on
the Board of Directors of the Ohio Valley Medical Center, United Way, Wheeling
Chamber of Commerce, and Wheeling Symphony. He is also a member of the West
Virginia University Visiting Committee, which advises the University on
engineering program matters.     
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
 
   
Daniel L. Fassio has been Secretary for CONSOL Energy Inc. and Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary of CONSOL Inc. since March 1994. He has been Vice
President of CONSOL Energy Inc. since November 1998. He joined Consolidation
Coal Company in March 1981 as the Attorney for Consolidation Coal Company's
former Eastern Region and subsequently served as Counsel and Senior Counsel to
Consolidation Coal Company and CONSOL Inc. Prior to March 1981, he was a
partner with Rose Schmidt & Dixon, a law firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr.
Fassio received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Virginia
and a doctor of law degree from Samford University. Besides membership in the
American Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Mr. Fassio is
Chairman of the Lawyers Committee for the Bituminous Coal Operators Association
and a Trustee of the Eastern Mineral Law Foundation.     
   
John L. Whitmire has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of CONSOL
Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc. since March 3, 1999, and Mr. Whitmire will act as
one of CONSOL Energy Inc.'s independent directors. Prior to his election, Mr.
Whitmire had been the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Union Texas Petroleum Holdings, Inc., a position that he held from January 1996
until September 1998 when Union Texas Petroleum was acquired by ARCO. Before
joining Union Texas Petroleum Holdings, Inc., Mr. Whitmire served for more than
30 years in various executive capacities with Phillips Petroleum Company,
including as Executive Vice President--Exploration and Production and as a
director from January 1994 to January 1996. Mr. Whitmire is a director of the
National Audobon Society, Thermon Industries and Global Marine, Inc. Mr.
Whitmire received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from
New Mexico State University.     
   
B.R. Brown has served as a Director of CONSOL Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc. since
January 1992. Mr. Brown was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of CONSOL
Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc. from January 1992 until February 1999. From January
1992 to January 1996, he served as CONSOL Energy Inc.'s and CONSOL Inc.'s
President and Chief Executive Officer and served in the Executive Office of
Chairman of the Board from January 1996 until February 1999. Mr. Brown joined
Consolidation Coal Company in March 1977 as Executive Vice President. He served
as President and Chief Operating Officer from November 1977 to September 1982,
as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from September 1982 to March 1987 and
as President and Chief Executive Officer from March 1987 to January 1992 of
Consolidation Coal Company. Prior to March 1977, Mr. Brown was employed by
Conoco, including most recently as Senior Vice President--Personnel. Mr. Brown
serves as a Director of Remington Arms Co., Inc. He also has served as a
Director and Chairman of the Bituminous Coal Operators Association Negotiating
Committee, is a past Chairman of the National Mining Association, a Director
and former Chairman of the Coal Industry Advisory Board of the International
Energy Agency and a Trustee of the Nature Conservancy. Mr. Brown holds honorary
doctorates from several colleges, including Bluefield State College, Robert
Morris College, Waynesburg College, and Wheeling College. He is a graduate of
the University of Arkansas.     
   
Dr. Ing. Dieter Henning has been a member of the Board of CONSOL Energy Inc.
and CONSOL Inc. since November 1, 1994 where he serves as a representative of
Rheinbraun A.G. He started as Superintendent Mine Operations at the former
Frechen open cast mine of Rheinbraun A.G. in 1969. After various positions in
the headquarters and mines of Rheinbraun A.G., he was promoted to General
Manager of the Hambach open cast mine in 1977. From 1990 to 1993 he served as
Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Lausitzer
Braunkohle A.G. (LAUBAG), Senftenberg, the major company that was formed as a
result of the privatization of the East-German lignite production. In 1993, he
became Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Rheinbraun A.G. and is a member of the Executive Board of RWE A.G. Mr. Henning
holds a degree (Diplom Ingenieur) in mine engineering from Clausthal Technical
University in Germany. He holds a doctor's degree (Dr.-Ing.) in mining from
Clausthal University and a honorary doctor's degree (Dr.-Ing.E.h.) from Aachen
University.     
   
Berthold Bonekamp has served on the Board of CONSOL Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc.
since July 1998 where he serves as a representative of Rheinbraun A.G. He
started at the Accounting Department of Rheinbraun A.G. in 1981. He held a
variety of positions in the Rheinbraun Accounting Department and was promoted
to Vice President and Division Head--Corporate Development, Organization and
Information Processing in 1994. From 1995 to 1998 he served as Chairman of the
Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of RV Rheinbraun Handel und
Dienstleistungen GmbH, Cologne, the trading and logistic services branch of the
Rheinbraun group. In 1998 he became member of the Executive Board of Rheinbraun
A.G., where he serves as Executive Vice President--International Operations.
Mr. Bonekamp holds a mechanical engineering degree from the Muenster College of
Applied Science and holds a master's degree in business administration (Diplom-
Kaufmann) from Muenster University in Germany.     
 
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
 
   
Bernd Jobst Breloer has served on the Board of CONSOL Energy Inc and CONSOL
Inc. since September 1998, where he serves as a representative of Rheinbraun
A.G. Mr. Breloer has held various executive positions in the RWE A.G. group's
nuclear division. From 1988 to 1992 he served as Chairman of the Executive
Board and as Chief Executive Officer of Nukem GmbH, the group's nuclear fuel
cycle services entity. In 1993, he joined Rheinbraun A.G., where he became
member of the Executive Board with responsibility for the Finance and
Accounting Division. Mr. Breloer holds a master's degree in business
administration (Diplom-Kaufmann) from Muenster University in Germany.     
   
Following the offering, CONSOL Energy Inc. will have a Board of Directors
consisting of the then current members of the Board of Directors and one other
person who will not be an officer or director of CONSOL Energy or Rheinbraun.
       
The Board of Directors will appoint members to a Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors and an Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Both such
committees will be comprised solely of independent directors. The Compensation
Committee will establish remuneration levels for certain officers of CONSOL
Energy and perform such functions as may be delegated to it under certain
benefit and executive compensation programs. The Audit Committee will select
and engage the independent public accountants to audit CONSOL Energy's annual
financial statements. The Audit Committee will also review and approve the
planned scope of the annual audit. The Board of Directors may from time to time
establish certain other committees to facilitate the management of CONSOL
Energy.     
 
Director Compensation
   
Each of Mr. Brown, Dr. Henning, Mr. Bonekamp and Dr. Zimmermann received fees
of $18,000 for serving as members of the Board of Directors for 1998. It is
anticipated that directors other than Mr. Whitmire who are not employees or
officers of CONSOL Energy or any of its subsidiaries of either of them will be
paid an annual Board membership fee of $30,000, an attendance fee of $2,000 for
each meeting of the Board of Directors, an attendance fee of $1,000 for each
meeting of any committee of the Board of Directors and initial stock options of
4,000 shares and an annual grant of stock options of 2,000 shares. The chairman
of each board committee will be paid an annual fee of $2,000.     
   
Engagement Agreement with John L. Whitmire. CONSOL Energy Inc. entered into an
agreement with Mr. Whitmire on February 22, 1999 pursuant to which he was
engaged as the non-executive Chairman of the Board of both CONSOL Energy Inc.
and CONSOL Inc., subject to election by each corporation's stockholders. Under
the terms of the agreement, Mr. Whitmire will receive cash compensation of
$100,000, shares of common stock having a fair market value of $225,000 and
stock options having a fair market value of $25,000 each year. Mr. Whitmire was
elected to serve as the Chairman of the Board by the stockholders of CONSOL
Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc. on March 3, 1999.     
          
Executive Compensation     
   
The following table discloses the compensation awarded to or earned by Mr.
Harvey and the other four most highly compensated executive officers at
December 31, 1998 whose annual salary plus other forms of compensation exceeded
$100,000.     
                           
                        Summary Compensation Table     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Long-Term
                                          Annual Compensation           Compensation
                                  ------------------------------------- ------------
                                                         Other Annual       LTIP        All Other
Name and Principal Position  Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) Compensation ($) Payments ($) Compensation ($)
- ---------------------------  ---- ---------  --------- ---------------- ------------ ---------------
<S>                          <C>  <C>        <C>       <C>              <C>          <C>
J. Brett Harvey........      1998  390,000     149,050     128,227              0         26,800
President and
Chief Executive Officer
B.R. Brown.............      1998        0   3,418,711           0              0        558,000
Chairman of the Board
C. Wesley McDonald.....      1998  283,200     175,000           0        223,380         16,796
Executive Vice President
Ronald J. FlorJancic...      1998  207,900     195,000           0        186,150         11,597
Executive Vice President
Ronald E. Smith........      1998  211,150     132,000           0        161,330         14,568
Executive Vice President
</TABLE>    
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
 
   
All other annual compensation for Mr. Harvey includes $107,000 in relocation
assistance.     
   
All other compensation for Mr. Brown includes $540,000 paid to Mr. Brown under
a consulting agreement among Mr. Brown and CONSOL Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc.
and a $18,000 retainer fee for serving as a Director of CONSOL Energy Inc. and
CONSOL Inc.     
   
All other compensation for Messrs. McDonald, FlorJancic and Smith includes
matching contributions to CONSOL Inc.'s employee investment plan and the
payment of insurance premiums.     
   
Long-Term Incentive Plan     
   
Certain officers of CONSOL Energy and its subsidiaries participate in a long-
term incentive plan which is administered by the Vice President--Human
Resources of CONSOL Inc. at the direction of the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of CONSOL Energy Inc. The Board of Directors may adjust award targets
to reflect certain extraordinary events, including strategic restructuring and
new investments for capital expansion. The Board of Directors has the
discretion to terminate, suspend, withdraw or modify the long-term incentive
plan in whole or in part.     
   
Awards under the long-term incentive plan are based on CONSOL Energy's results
of operations. Performance targets are tied to after tax operating income and
operating cash flow. Awards under the long-term incentive plan are granted in
units, each of which has a nominal value of $100. The awards have a three-year
term and are payable in the year after the term. The target for the first year
is the profit objective of CONSOL Energy for that year. Years two and three are
based upon targets stated in CONSOL Energy's long-term business plan in place
prior to the beginning of the award cycle. Awards may vary from 0% to 150% of
the nominal value of the unit depending upon the targeted results of operations
for CONSOL Energy. For example, if the results of operations average 100% of
the target for the relevant period, each unit would have a value of $100. If
the results of operations average less than 80% of the target for the relevant
period, each unit would have a value of $0. If the results of operations
average 150% or more of the target for the relevant period, each unit would
have a value of $150. A recipient may elect to receive payment when an award is
earned or may defer the payment of such award. Deferred awards accrue
compounded interest at an annual rate equal to Moody's AAA 10-year municipal
bond rate.     
   
The following table provides certain information with respect to awards granted
to Mr. Harvey and the other four most highly compensated executive officers
during the year ended December 31, 1998.     
                         
                      Long-Term Incentive Plan Table     
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                  Estimated Future Payouts under
                                                    Non-Stock Price-Based Plans
                                                  -----------------------------------
                                    Performance
                         Number of Period Until    Threshold   Target      Maximum
Name                       Units   Payout (Years)     ($)        ($)         ($)
- ------------------------ --------- -------------  ----------- ----------- -----------
<S>                      <C>       <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>
J. Brett Harvey.........   3,000          3                0      300,000     450,000
B.R. Brown..............       0        --               --           --          --
C. Wesley McDonald......   1,700          3                0      170,000     255,000
Ronald J. FlorJancic....   2,000          3                0      200,000     300,000
Ronald E. Smith.........   1,400          3                0      140,000     210,000
</TABLE>    
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
 
   
DuPont Stock Options     
   
Employees of CONSOL Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries had been granted stock
options to purchase shares of DuPont common stock. No further stock options had
been granted after 1991 when Rheinbraun purchased a 50% interest in CONSOL
Energy. As a result of the repurchase of shares of common stock from DuPont
Energy, no DuPont stock options held by employees of CONSOL Energy Inc. and its
subsidiaries will be exercisable after November 5, 1999. The following table
provides information with respect to DuPont stock options held by executive
officers during 1998. All of the stock options held by Messrs. FlorJancic and
Smith are presently exercisable.     
      
   Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and FY-End Option/SAR
                                  Values     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                             Number of
                                                             Securities    Value of
                                                             Underlying  Unexercised
                                                            Unexercised  In-the-Money
                                                            Options/SARs Options/SARs
                         Shares Acquired                    at FY-End(#) at FY-End($)
Name                     on Exercise (#) Value Realized ($) Exercisable  Exercisable
- ------------------------ --------------- ------------------ ------------ ------------
<S>                      <C>             <C>                <C>          <C>
J. Brett Harvey.........          0                --               0          --
B.R. Brown..............          0                --               0          --
C. Wesley McDonald......          0                --               0          --
Ronald J. FlorJancic....      3,650            149,964          6,600      210,800
Ronald E. Smith.........     24,880          1,066,939         18,122      573,624
</TABLE>    
 
1999 Equity Incentive Plan
   
CONSOL Energy has adopted the CONSOL Energy Inc. Equity Incentive Plan. The
plan provides for:     
     
  .  grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock
     appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units,
     performance awards to key employees, consultants or advisers of CONSOL
     Energy or its affiliates; and     
     
  .grants of nonqualified stock options and deferred stock units to non-
  employee directors.     
   
The plan will be administered by the Board of Directors. However, the Board of
Directors may delegate its authority to a compensation committee composed of
persons who     
     
  .  are "nonemployee directors," to the extent that is necessary to comply
     with federal securities regulations and     
     
  .  are "outside directors," to the extent that CONSOL Energy is subject to
     Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and an award is intended to
     qualify as performance-based compensation under that section.     
   
The Board of Directors will have full authority to determine the terms and
conditions of awards and prescribe, amend and rescind the rules and regulations
relating to the plan.     
   
The initial number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the
plan is 3,250,000, of which 1,000,000 are available for issuance of awards
other than stock options. Shares covered by forfeited awards, awards settled
for cash or otherwise terminated or awards canceled without the delivery of
shares, will be available for reuse under the plan. Shares delivered to
exercise awards, or withheld to satisfy tax withholding requirements, also will
become available for grant under the plan. The shares issuable under the plan
may be drawn from either authorized but previously unissued shares or from
reacquired shares, including shares purchased by CONSOL Energy on the open
market and held as treasury shares. Awards under the plan and the number of
shares available for award may be equitably adjusted in the event of stock
dividends, stock splits, mergers or other reorganizations.     
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
 
   
Material Features     
   
The exercise price per share of options and stock appreciation rights generally
will equal or exceed the fair market value of a share on the grant date, and
may be satisfied in cash, cash equivalents or, in the discretion of the
committee, by exchanging shares owned by the participant, or by a combination
of these methods. Stock awards and performance awards may provide for the right
to receive cash or common stock at a future date for an amount established by
the Board of Directors or for no consideration. In addition, the committee may
establish a program under which restoration options are granted to employees
utilizing shares to pay the exercise price of outstanding options.     
          
Awards will be subject to other terms and conditions, including performance
goals, relating to vesting, exercisability and forfeiture as may be established
by the Board of Directors and reflected in an award agreement. The compensation
committee will set forth in the applicable award agreement the treatment of
stock options and stock appreciation rights in the event that the employment of
a participant is terminated. Any awards may provide that the participant has
the right to receive currently, or on a deferred basis, dividends or dividend
equivalents and other cash payments. Upon a change in control, unvested
outstanding awards may vest or have all restrictions lifted, in the discretion
of the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise provided in an award agreement,
awards are nontransferable.     
   
Non-Employee Director Awards     
   
The Board of Directors may provide that all or any portion of a non-employee
director's annual retainer and/or meeting fees may be payable, either
automatically, or at the election of the non-employee director, in the form of
deferred stock units. These awards will be subject to the terms and conditions
established by the Board of Directors.     
   
Non-employee directors will receive an initial grant of a non-qualified stock
option to acquire 4,000 shares upon initial election to the Board of Directors,
or, if later, CONSOL Energy's initial public offering. At the time of each
annual meeting of shareholders, each non-employee director who has served as a
director for at least one year will receive an option to acquire 2,000 shares.
Each option will have an exercise price per share equal to the fair market
value of a share on the grant date. The options will vest ratably and become
exercisable in one-third increments on each anniversary of the grant date,
subject to accelerated vesting upon death, disability or retirement at normal
retirement age for directors. Options granted to non-employee directors
generally will have a ten-year term.     
          
Amendments and Termination     
          
The Board of Directors may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the
plan or any provision at any time, provided that no such action will be made
without stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any
tax or regulatory requirement with which the Board of Directors deems it
necessary or desirable to comply.     
          
No award of incentive stock options may be granted under the plan after the
tenth anniversary of the effective date.     
          
Stock Options Grants as of Offering     
   
At the time of this offering, the Board of Directors of CONSOL Energy Inc. will
grant to certain employees nonqualified stock options to acquire an aggregate
of approximately 800,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to
the initial public offering price. The following table sets forth the number of
shares subject to stock options to be awarded to the five most highly
compensated executive officers in 1998:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
      Name                                                               Number
      ----                                                               -------
   <S>                                                                   <C>
   J. Brett Harvey...................................................... 120,000
   B.R. Brown...........................................................       0
   C. Wesley McDonald...................................................  60,000
   Ronald J. FlorJancic.................................................  60,000
   Ronald E. Smith......................................................  44,000
</TABLE>    
 
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
 
   
The stock options granted to these executive officers will terminate ten years
after the date on which they were granted. The stock options will vest 25% per
year, beginning one year after the grant date. The vesting of the options will
accelerate in the event of death, disability or retirement and may accelerate
upon a change of control of CONSOL Energy. The stock options will terminate
upon the occurrence of the following events:     
          
  .  immediately, if the employee is terminated for cause or his employment
     has been terminated for any other reason and he breaches a covenant not
     to compete with CONSOL Energy;     
     
  .  within three months if the employee is terminated without cause or does
     so voluntarily; or     
     
  .  within three years upon the death of the option holder.     
   
The stock options will not terminate earlier than provided upon their grant if
the employee retires or is disabled.     
 
Employment Agreements
   
Employment Agreement With Mr. Harvey. J. Brett Harvey entered into an
employment agreement with CONSOL Energy Inc. and CONSOL Inc. on December 11,
1997. Under the terms of this contract, Mr. Harvey assumed his current
positions as the President and Chief Executive Officer of both companies on
January 1, 1998. The employment agreement terminates on December 31, 2002
unless it is terminated earlier. Mr. Harvey's employment will terminate if:
       
  .  he becomes disabled and would be eligible to receive disability benefits
     under CONSOL Inc.'s employee retirement plan,     
     
  .  if either party terminates the agreement or     
     
  .  for cause as determined by the Board of Directors of CONSOL Energy at
     any time.     
   
If the agreement is terminated other than by CONSOL Energy for cause or if Mr.
Harvey resigns, Mr. Harvey will receive severance payments in an amount equal
to any incentive compensation received in the preceding 12 months and his then
current base salary. These amounts would be paid to Mr. Harvey until the end of
the term of the employment agreement. In the event of termination for cause,
Mr. Harvey's compensation and benefits terminate at the end of the month in
which the notice of termination is given.     
   
As compensation for his services during the term of the employment agreement,
Mr. Harvey receives a yearly base salary of $390,000. He is entitled to
participate in all incentive compensation programs for senior management of
CONSOL Inc., including short-term and long-term incentive pay programs. He also
is eligible for all employee benefit plans and policies applicable to CONSOL
Inc. employees. For employee retirement plans purposes, Mr. Harvey will receive
11 years of additional service credit representing his years of employment at
PacifiCorp, deducting from any such benefits amounts payable to him pursuant to
any retirement or similar plans of PacifiCorp.     
   
Mr. Harvey's employment agreement contains certain confidentiality and non-
competition obligations. Mr. Harvey must keep CONSOL Energy's non-public
information confidential during the term of the employment agreement and for a
period of 12 months after his termination. Mr. Harvey has agreed not to compete
with the business of CONSOL Energy for so long as he receives severance
benefits under the terms of the employment agreement.     
   
Consulting Arrangement With Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown entered into an agreement with
CONSOL Inc. which provides that Mr. Brown will serve as a general consultant
until January 31, 2000. Mr. Brown will receive a base consulting fee of
$360,000 per year. If Mr. Brown works more than six days in any month, CONSOL
Inc. will pay him a consulting fee of $5,000 for each additional day. Mr. Brown
also is entitled to reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses which he reasonably
incurs in connection with the performance of his services under this agreement.
Mr Brown also is entitled to benefits available to retirees of CONSOL Inc.     
   
The consulting agreement binds Mr. Brown to certain confidentiality and non-
competition obligations. Mr. Brown must keep the non-public information of
CONSOL Inc. confidential at all times. During the term of the consulting
agreement and for one year after it terminates, Mr. Brown has agreed not to
compete with the business of CONSOL Inc.     
 
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
 
              
           Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions     
 
Purchase of Shares from DuPont Energy
   
Indemnification Under Purchase Agreement. In November 1998, CONSOL Energy
purchased 51,139,156 shares of common stock from DuPont Energy for a purchase
price of $500 million. The purchase of shares from DuPont Energy was completed
under an agreement entered into in September 1998 among DuPont, DuPont Energy,
Rheinbraun and CONSOL Energy. DuPont agreed to indemnify Rheinbraun and CONSOL
Energy in respect of any losses incurred by Rheinbraun as a result of the
purchase of shares from DuPont Energy, and 47% of any and all losses incurred
by CONSOL Energy arising or related to the period prior to the closing date of
the purchase of shares from DuPont Energy with respect to the following:     
     
  .  environmental matters, which include the failure to obtain any permits
     or to comply with laws governing the generation, handling, storage,
     transportation, disposal or remediation of hazardous material only to
     the extent these losses exceed $50 million,     
 
  .  litigation, only to the extent losses then exceed $40 million,
 
  .  taxes, and
 
  .  properties of Conoco or its mineral divisions.
   
Except for indemnification as to the mineral divisions of Conoco, DuPont is
only obligated to indemnify CONSOL Energy and Rheinbraun at such time that all
losses exceed $20 million, calculated on a pre-tax basis. At that time,
DuPont's indemnification will include the first $20 million of losses. DuPont
is obligated to indemnify CONSOL Energy and Rheinbraun for liabilities arising
out of the mineral division of Conoco on a dollar-for-dollar basis. In no event
will DuPont's indemnification obligations in the aggregate exceed $500 million.
    
          
The agreement provides that DuPont will have two demand registration rights at
DuPont's expense prior to December 31, 2001.     
 
Payment of Dividends
   
Prior to the closing of the purchase of shares from DuPont Energy, CONSOL
Energy paid a dividend of $60 million. In December 1998, CONSOL Energy paid an
additional dividend of $20 million. Before this offering, CONSOL Energy intends
to declare a dividend of $22.5 million payable to its current stockholders in
the second quarter of 1999. Purchasers of common stock issued in this offering
will not receive this dividend.     
 
Registration Rights
   
In connection with the purchase of shares from DuPont Energy, DuPont and DuPont
Energy agreed not to dispose of any of the remaining shares of common stock
held by DuPont Energy during the 180 days after the closing date of the
purchase of shares from DuPont Energy. This includes securities issued in
exchange for, in lieu of or as a dividend on such shares of common stock. After
the 180 days, DuPont Energy will have the right to dispose of the shares:     
     
  .  pursuant to registration rights previously granted to DuPont Energy
     under the shareholders agreement, or     
     
  .  in a private sale or sales conforming to the Securities Act of 1933.
            
DuPont Energy may not, and DuPont will cause DuPont Energy not to, effect any
public sale of shares during the seven days prior to and the 90 days after any
underwritten registered financing by CONSOL Energy has become effective or such
longer period, not to exceed 180 days, as the underwriter may require
consistent with customary practice.     
   
CONSOL Energy and Rheinbraun A.G. and Rheinbraun U.S. GmbH have entered into a
registration rights agreement that provides that, upon the request of
Rheinbraun A.G. or Rheinbraun U.S. GmbH, CONSOL Energy will use its best
efforts to effect the registration under applicable federal and state
securities laws of any of the shares of common stock or any other securities
issued with respect to such common stock. Rheinbraun also will have the right
to include these securities in other registrations of securities initiated by
CONSOL Energy on its own behalf or on behalf of its other stockholders. CONSOL
Energy generally will be required to pay all out-of-     
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
 
   
pocket costs and expenses in connection with each such registration. The
registration rights will be assignable by Rheinbraun. The agreement contains
customary terms and provisions with respect to registration procedures and
indemnification and contribution.     
   
Purchase of Properties from Rheinbraun     
   
A subsidiary of CONSOL Energy has agreed to acquire approximately 3,500 acres
of coal, oil and gas properties in Tazewell County, Virginia and three permits
related to the properties from subsidiaries of Rheinbraun. The purchase price
will be $1 and the assumption of reclamation liabilities that have been
estimated by CONSOL Energy at $200,000. The properties were purchased by the
subsidiaries of Rheinbraun in 1997 for $140,000 as part of the resolution of
litigation between Rheinbraun and a developer that owned the properties and to
which Rheinbraun had loaned approximately $10 million.     
 
Other Information About Related Party Transactions
   
See Note 3 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information
with respect to other transactions between CONSOL Energy and affiliates of
CONSOL Energy.     
 
                                       72
<PAGE>
 
                             
                          Principal Stockholders     
   
The following table sets forth at March 19, 1999 information with respect to
beneficial ownership of the common stock before and after the completion of
this offering. The shares identified as beneficially owned by RWE A.G are
shares held of record by Rheinbraun A.G. and Rheinbraun U.S. GmbH, direct and
indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of RWE A.G. The shares identified as
beneficially owned by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company are shares held of
record by DuPont Energy Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont. The
address of the directors and executive officers of CONSOL Energy is c/o CONSOL
Inc., 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241.     
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                           Common Stock Beneficially Owned
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                        Before the Offering   After the Offering
                                       ---------------------- ------------------
Name and Address                          Number      Percent   Number   Percent
- ----------------                       -------------  ------- ---------- -------
<S>                                    <C>            <C>     <C>        <C>
RWE A.G. ............................  54,403,357 (2)  94.3%  54,403,357  67.8%
 Opernplatz 1
 45128 Essen, Germany
 
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company..   3,264,201 (3)   5.7%   3,264,201   4.1%
 1007 Market Street
 Wilmington, Delaware 19898
 
J. Brett Harvey......................            --     --           --    --
 
C. Wesley McDonald...................            --     --           --    --
 
Ronald E. Smith......................            --     --           --    --
 
Ronald J. FlorJancic.................            --     --           --    --
 
John L. Whitmire.....................            --     --           --    --
 
B.R. Brown...........................            --     --           --    --
 
Dr. Dieter Henning...................            --     --           --    --
 
Berthold Bonekamp....................            --     --           --    --
 
Bernd Breloer........................            --     --           --    --
 
Dr. Rolf Zimmerman...................            --     --           --    --
 
All directors and executive officers
 as a group
 (14 persons)........................            --     --           --    --
</TABLE>    
 
                                       73
<PAGE>
 
                         
                      Shares Eligible for Future Sale     
   
After this offering, CONSOL Energy will have 80,267,558 shares of common stock
outstanding. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full,
CONSOL Energy will have a total of 83,657,558 shares outstanding. All of the
common stock sold in this offering will be freely transferable without
restriction or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, except
for shares acquired by CONSOL Energy's directors and senior officers.
Rheinbraun, DuPont and CONSOL Energy's directors and senior officers who are
purchasing common stock in this offering have agreed not to sell or dispose of
any common stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus,
without J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.'s prior written consent. CONSOL Energy can
give no assurance concerning how long these parties will continue to hold their
common stock after this offering. See "Risk Factors--Shares Eligible for Future
Sale" and "Underwriting."     
   
Any common stock held by one of CONSOL Energy's affiliates will be subject to
the resale limitations required by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.
Rule 144 defines an affiliate as a person that directly or indirectly, through
one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, the issuer. After this offering, Rheinbraun will be an affiliate
of CONSOL Energy. Therefore, as long as Rheinbraun remains an affiliate,
Rheinbraun may sell its common stock only:     
     
  .  under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of
     1933;     
     
  .  under Rule 144; or     
     
  .  under another exemption from registration.     
 
Rheinbraun is not under any contractual obligation to retain its common stock,
except during the 180-day period noted above.
   
In general, a stockholder subject to Rule 144 who has owned common stock of an
issuer for at least one year may, within any three-month period, sell up to the
greater of:     
     
  .  1% of the total number of shares of common stock then outstanding and
            
  .  the average weekly trading volume of the common stock during the four
     weeks preceding the stockholder's required notice of sale.     
 
Rule 144 requires stockholders to aggregate their sales with other affiliated
stockholders for purposes of complying with this volume limitation. A
stockholder who has owned common stock for at least two years, and who has not
been an affiliate of the issuer for at least 90 days, may sell common stock
free from the volume limitation and notice requirements of Rule 144.
   
DuPont and Rheinbraun each is entitled to require CONSOL Energy to register its
shares for sale under the Securities Act of 1933 after the expiration of the
180-day period noted above. See "Certain Relationships and Related Party
Transactions--Registration Rights."     
   
CONSOL Energy cannot estimate the number of shares of common stock that may be
sold by third parties in the future because such sales will depend on market
prices, the circumstances of sellers and other factors.     
   
Prior to this offering, there has been no market for the common stock. CONSOL
Energy can make no prediction about the effect, if any, that future sales of
common stock or the availability of such shares for sale would have on the
prevailing market price of the common stock. Nevertheless, future sales by
CONSOL Energy, Rheinbraun or DuPont of substantial amounts of common stock, or
the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing
market price of the common stock. In addition, sales and the perception of
likely sales could impair CONSOL Energy's ability to raise additional capital
through the sale of additional common stock or other equity securities.     
 
                                       74
<PAGE>
 
                          
                       Description of Capital Stock     
   
CONSOL Energy's authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of
common stock, $.01 par value per share and 15,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, $.01 par value per share. After giving effect to the offering, the
issued and outstanding capital stock of CONSOL Energy will consist of
80,267,558 shares of common stock, or 83,657,558 if the underwriters' over-
allotment option is exercised in full.     
 
Common Stock
   
As of March 19, 1999, there were 57,667,558 shares of common stock outstanding,
which were held of record by three stockholders. The holders of common stock
are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the
stockholders. Cumulative voting of shares of common stock is prohibited, which
means that the holders of a majority of shares voting for the election of
directors can elect all members of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise
required by applicable law, a majority vote is sufficient for any act of
stockholders. The holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such
dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of
Directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. In the
event of the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of CONSOL Energy, the
holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining
after payment of liabilities and amounts owed to holders of preferred stock.
The holders of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other
subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions
applicable to the common stock. All of the outstanding shares of common stock
are fully paid and nonassessable, and all of the shares of common stock offered
in this offering, when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable.     
   
Preferred Stock     
   
CONSOL Energy is authorized to issue up to 15,000,000 shares of preferred
stock. The Board of Directors is authorized to establish the powers, rights,
preferences, privileges and designations of one or more series of preferred
stock without further stockholder approval. To date, no shares of preferred
stock have been issued, and the Board of Directors does not have any current
plans to issue shares of preferred stock.     
   
The issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and
assets available for distribution to holders of common stock or adversely
affect the rights and powers of the holders of common stock, including their
voting rights. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the
effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of CONSOL
Energy including transactions in which the stockholders might otherwise receive
a premium for their shares over the then current market prices.     
   
Corporate Opportunities Policy     
   
In order to address potential conflicts of interest between CONSOL Energy and
Rheinbraun A.G., the Restated Certificate of Incorporation recognizes that
Rheinbraun A.G. and CONSOL Energy may engage in the same or similar activities
or lines of business and have an interest in the same corporate opportunities.
       
The Restated Certificate provides that Rheinbraun will have the right to:     
     
  .   engage in the same or similar activities or lines of business as CONSOL
      Energy;     
     
  .   do business with potential or actual customers or suppliers of CONSOL
      Energy; and     
     
  .   employ or otherwise engage or solicit for such purpose any officer,
      employee or director of CONSOL Energy.     
   
Neither Rheinbraun A.G. nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents
will be liable to CONSOL Energy, its stockholders, or any other person for
breach of any fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty by reason of any such
activities of Rheinbraun A.G. If Rheinbraun A.G. acquires knowledge of a
potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both
Rheinbraun A.G. and CONSOL Energy, Rheinbraun A.G. will not have any duty to
communicate or offer such corporate opportunity to CONSOL Energy and will not
be liable to CONSOL Energy, its stockholders or any other person for breach of
any fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty as a stockholder of CONSOL Energy by
reason of the pursuit or acquisition by Rheinbraun A.G. of such corporate
opportunity for itself, the direction of such corporate opportunity to another
person, or the omission to communicate information regarding such corporate
opportunity to CONSOL Energy.     
 
                                       75
<PAGE>
 
   
If a director or officer of CONSOL Energy who is also a director, officer,
employee or agent of Rheinbraun A.G. acquires knowledge of a potential
transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both CONSOL
Energy and Rheinbraun A.G., such director or officer:     
     
  .   shall be deemed to have fully satisfied and fulfilled any fiduciary or
      other duties of such director or officer to CONSOL Energy, its
      stockholders, and any other person with respect to such corporate
      opportunity;     
     
  .   shall not be liable to CONSOL Energy or its subsidiaries for breach of
      any fiduciary or other duties;     
     
  .   shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person
      reasonably believes to be in and not opposed to the best interests of
      CONSOL Energy; and     
     
  .   shall not be deemed to have breached any duty of loyalty or other duty
      such person may have to CONSOL Energy or its stockholders or to have
      derived an improper benefit,     
   
if such director or officer acts in a manner consistent with the following
policy: a corporate opportunity offered to any person who is a director or
officer of CONSOL Energy and who is also a director, officer, employee or agent
of Rheinbraun A.G. shall belong to CONSOL Energy if such opportunity is
expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or
officer of CONSOL Energy; otherwise, such corporate opportunity shall belong to
Rheinbraun A.G.     
   
Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of the
capital stock of CONSOL Energy will be deemed to have notice of and to have
consented to the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
governing corporate opportunities.     
   
For purposes of the provision of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
governing corporate opportunities:     
     
  .   the term "CONSOL Energy" means CONSOL Energy and all corporations,
      partnerships, joint ventures, associations and other entities in which
      the CONSOL Energy beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or
      more of the outstanding voting stock, voting power, partnership
      interests or similar voting interests;     
     
  .   the term "Rheinbraun A.G." means Rheinbraun A.G., its parent
      corporation RWE A.G., and all corporations, partnerships, joint
      ventures, associations and other entities, other than CONSOL Energy, as
      defined, in which Rheinbraun A.G. or RWE A.G. beneficially owns,
      directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the outstanding voting stock,
      voting power, partnership interests or similar voting interests; and
             
  .   the term "corporate opportunity" includes, but is not limited to,
      business opportunities:     
       
    .  which CONSOL Energy is financially able to undertake,     
       
    .  which are, from their nature, in the line or lines of CONSOL
       Energy's business, would be of practical advantage to it, and in
       which CONSOL Energy has an interest or a reasonable expectancy, and
              
    .  as to which, by embracing the opportunity, the self-interest of
       Rheinbraun A.G. or the officer, director, employee or agent, as the
       case may be, will be brought into conflict with that of CONSOL
       Energy.     
   
The corporate opportunities provisions of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation will expire on the date that Rheinbraun A.G. ceases to own
beneficially common stock representing at least 20% of the total voting power
of all classes of outstanding stock of CONSOL Energy and there is not any
person who is a director or officer of CONSOL Energy who is also a director or
officer of Rheinbraun A.G.     
   
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters     
   
As permitted by applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision eliminating, to
the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as it
exists or may in the future be amended, the liability of a director to CONSOL
Energy and its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty
as a director except for:     
     
  .   any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to CONSOL Energy or its
      stockholders;     
     
  .   acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
      misconduct or a knowing violation of laws;     
 
                                       76
<PAGE>
 
     
  .   payment of dividends, stock purchases or redemptions that violate the
      Delaware General Corporation Law; or     
     
  .   any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
      benefit.     
          
CONSOL Energy's By-laws also provide that any present or prior director,
officer, employee or agent of CONSOL Energy shall be indemnified by CONSOL
Energy as of right to the full extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law against any liability, cost or expense asserted against and
incurred by such person by reason of his serving in such capacity. This right
to indemnification includes the right to be paid the expenses incurred in
defending any action, suit or proceeding in advance of its final disposition.
       
RWE A.G. currently maintains insurance on behalf of officers and directors of
its subsidiaries, including CONSOL Energy and its subsidiaries, against any
liability which may be asserted against any such officer or director.     
 
Delaware Statute
   
CONSOL Energy is a Delaware corporation subject to Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law. Section 203 provides that a corporation generally may
not engage in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a
period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an
interested stockholder. Section 203 applies unless:     
 
  .  prior to the time a stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, the
     board of directors of the corporation approved either the business
     combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder
     becoming an interested stockholder;
 
  .  upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder
     becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at
     least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time
     the transaction commenced (excluding certain shares); or
 
  .  on or after such date the stockholder became an interested stockholder,
     the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the
     corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of
     stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at
     least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the
     interested stockholder.
 
An "interested stockholder" is defined to include:
 
  .  any person that is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting
     stock of the corporation or is an affiliate or associate of the
     corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting
     stock of the corporation at any time within the three-year period
     immediately prior to the relevant date; and
 
  .  the affiliates and associates of any such person.
 
Section 203 defines a business combination to include:
 
  .  any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested
     stockholder;
 
  .  any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the
     assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;
 
  .  certain transactions that result in the issuance or transfer by the
     corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested
     stockholder;
 
  .  any transaction involving the corporation that increases the
     proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the
     corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or
 
  .  the receipt by the interested stockholder of any loans, advances,
     guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided through the
     corporation. In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder
     as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the
     outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person
     affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.
 
Under certain circumstances, Section 203 makes it more difficult for an
interested stockholder to effect various business combinations with a
corporation during the three-year period, although the stockholders may elect
to exclude a corporation from the restrictions imposed under Section 203.
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar
   
The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is First Chicago Trust
Company of New York.     
 
                                       77
<PAGE>
 
                               
                            Tax Considerations     
   
The following is a general discussion of United States federal tax
considerations applicable to the ownership and disposition of common stock by
"Non-U.S. Holders." In general, a "Non-U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of
common stock other than:     
 
  .  a citizen or resident of the United States,
 
  .  a corporation or partnership created or organized in the United States
     or under the laws of the United States or of any state,
 
  .  an estate or partnership, the income of which is includible in gross
     income for United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its
     source, or
 
  .  a trust the administration of which is subject to the primary
     supervision of a court within the United States and for which one or
     more U.S. fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial
     decisions.
   
An individual generally may be deemed a resident of the United States by virtue
of being present in the United States for at least 31 days in the current
calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during the prior three
year period ending in the current calendar year. For such purposes one counts
all days present in the current calendar year, one-third of the days present in
the immediately preceding calendar year, and one-sixth of the days present in
the second preceding calendar year. The term "Non-U.S. Holder" does not include
individuals who were United States citizens within the ten-year period
immediately preceding the date of this prospectus and whose loss of United
States citizenship had as one of its principal purposes the avoidance of United
States taxes.     
   
The following summary deals only with common stock held as capital assets
within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code and does not
deal with special situations, such as those of dealers in securities or
currencies, financial institutions, life insurance companies, tax exempt
organizations, or persons holding common stock as a part of a hedging or
conversion transaction or a straddle. Furthermore, the discussion below is
based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury
regulations, related administrative and judicial decisions which have been
rendered or published prior to the date of this prospectus, and such
authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified with possible retroactive
effect so as to result in federal income and estate tax consequences different
from those discussed below.     
   
Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the
United States federal, state, local and non-United States income and other tax
consequences of holding and disposing of shares of common stock.     
 
Dividends
   
If dividends are paid on the common stock, these payments will be treated as
dividends for United States federal income tax purposes to the extent of CONSOL
Energy's current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S.
income tax principles. The portion of a payment that exceeds earnings and
profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of each Non-U.S.
Holder's tax basis in the common stock. The portion of a payment that exceeds
such earnings and profits and tax basis will be treated as a gain from the sale
or other disposition of the common stock to the extent of such excess, with the
tax consequences described below under "Sale of Common Stock."     
   
In general, any dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of common stock will be
subject to United States withholding tax at a 30% rate, or a lower rate
prescribed by an applicable tax treaty, unless the dividends are either     
     
  .  effectively connected with a trade or business carried on by the Non-
     U.S. Holder within the United States or     
     
  .  if certain income tax treaties apply, attributable to a permanent
     establishment in the United States maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder.
            
For purposes of determining whether tax is to be withheld at a 30% rate or at a
lower rate as prescribed by an applicable tax treaty, CONSOL Energy will
presume, consistent with currently effective Treasury Regulations, that
dividends paid to an address in a foreign country are paid to a resident of
such country absent knowledge that such presumption is not warranted. However,
under the "Final Regulations," United States Treasury regulations applicable to
dividends paid after December 31, 1999, a Non-U.S. Holder of common stock will
be required to     
 
                                       78
<PAGE>
 
   
satisfy applicable certification and other requirements in order to claim the
benefits of an applicable tax treaty. Dividends effectively connected with a
United States trade or business or attributable to a United States permanent
establishment generally will not be subject to withholding tax, provided
certain certification requirements are met, and generally will be subject to
United States federal tax on a net income basis, in the same manner as if the
Non-U.S. Holder were a resident of the United States. In the case of a Non-U.S.
Holder that is a corporation, such dividend income so connected or attributable
may also be subject to the branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower rate
prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty. The branch profits tax is
imposed on a foreign corporation on the repatriation from the United States of
its effectively connected earnings and profits, subject to various adjustments
that affect the calculation of "earnings and profits" for this purpose.     
 
A Non-U.S. Holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of United States
withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any
excess amounts currently withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund
with the IRS.
 
Sale of Common Stock
 
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States federal
income tax on any gain recognized upon the disposition of common stock unless:
     
  .  the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business carried on by
     the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States or, alternatively, if a tax
     treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United
     States maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder,     
     
  .  in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder who is a nonresident alien individual
     and holds common stock as a capital asset, such individual is present in
     the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of
     disposition, and either (a) such individual has a "tax home" as defined
     for United States federal income tax purposes in the United States or
     (b) the gain is attributable to an office or other fixed place of
     business maintained by such individual in the United States,     
     
  .  the Non-U.S. Holder is subject to the provisions of the United States
     tax law that are applicable to United States expatriates, or     
     
  .  subject to the exception discussed below, CONSOL Energy is or has been a
     United States real property holding corporation for United States
     federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-
     year period preceding such disposition or such Non-U.S. Holder's holding
     period. CONSOL Energy believes that it is a United States real property
     holding corporation for United States federal income purposes.     
   
If CONSOL Energy is or becomes a United States real property holding
corporation, gains realized upon a disposition of common stock by a Non-U.S.
Holder that does not directly or indirectly own more than 5% of the common
stock during the shorter of the periods described above generally would not be
subject to United States federal income tax so long as the common stock was
"regularly traded" on an established securities market within the meaning of
Section 897(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury regulations
promulgated under such section at the time of the disposition.     
 
Estate Tax
   
Common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or
resident of the United States at the time of death will be includible in the
individual's gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes unless
an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise, and therefore may be
subject to United States federal estate tax.     
 
Backup Withholding, Information Reporting and Other Reporting Requirements
   
CONSOL Energy must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends paid to,
and the tax withheld with respect to, each Non-U.S. Holder. These reporting
requirements apply regardless of the fact that such payments are not subject to
the backup withholding and information reporting requirements described in the
next paragraph and regardless of whether withholding was reduced or eliminated
by an applicable tax treaty. Copies of this information also may be made
available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement with the tax
authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is
established.     
   
United States backup withholding and information reporting, other than the
reporting requirements described in the preceding paragraph, generally will not
apply to dividends paid on common stock to a Non- U.S. Holder at an address
outside the United States. United States backup withholding is generally
imposed at the rate of 31% on certain payments to persons who fail to furnish
the information required under the United States information reporting
requirements.     
 
                                       79
<PAGE>
 
   
The payment of proceeds from the disposition of common stock to or through a
U.S. office of a U.S. broker will be subject to information reporting and
United States backup withholding unless the owner, under penalties of perjury,
certifies among other things, its status as a Non-U.S. Holder, or otherwise
establishes an exemption. The payment of proceeds from the disposition of
common stock to or through a non-U.S. office of a U.S. or non- U.S. broker
generally will not be subject to backup withholding and information reporting,
except as noted below. In the case of proceeds from the disposition of common
stock paid to or through a non-United States office of a U.S. broker, or a non-
U.S. broker that is:     
 
  .  a United States person,
 
  .  a "controlled foreign corporation" for United States federal income tax
     purposes, or
 
  .  a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income for a specified
     three-year period is effectively connected with a United States trade or
     business, information reporting (but not backup withholding) will apply
     unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that the owner
     is a Non-U.S. Holder (and the broker has no actual knowledge to the
     contrary).
   
Under the Final Regulations, the payment of dividends or the payment of
proceeds from the disposition of common stock to a Non-U.S. Holder may be
subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless such recipient
satisfies applicable certification requirements or otherwise establishes an
exemption.     
 
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the
backup withholding rules from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder can be refunded or
credited against the Non-U.S. Holder's United States federal income tax
liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the
IRS.
 
                                       80
<PAGE>
 
                                  
                               Underwriting     
   
CONSOL Energy and the underwriters named below have entered into an
underwriting agreement covering the common stock to be offered in this
offering. J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated are acting as representatives of the underwriters. Each
underwriter has agreed to purchase the number of shares of common stock set
forth opposite its name in the following table.     
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                ----------------
                                                                Number of Shares
Underwriters                                                    ----------------
<S>                                                             <C>
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.....................................
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
 Incorporated..................................................
<CAPTION>
                                                                ----------------
<S>                                                             <C>
  Total........................................................    22,600,000
<CAPTION>
                                                                ================
</TABLE>
   
The underwriting agreement provides that if the underwriters take any of the
shares set forth in the table above, then they must take all of these shares.
No underwriter is obligated to take any shares allocated to a defaulting
underwriter except under limited circumstances.     
 
The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock, subject to the prior
sale of such shares, and when, as and if such shares are delivered to and
accepted by them. The underwriters will initially offer to sell shares to the
public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
prospectus. The underwriters may sell shares to securities dealers at a
discount of up to $    per share from the initial public offering price. Any
such securities dealers may resell shares to certain other brokers or dealers
at a discount of up to $    per share from the initial public offering price.
After the initial public offering, the underwriters may vary the public
offering price and other selling terms.
   
If the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth in the
table above, the underwriters have the option to buy up to an additional
3,390,000 shares of common stock from CONSOL Energy to cover such sales. They
may exercise this option during the 30-day period from the date of this
prospectus. If any shares are purchased with this option, the underwriters will
purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the table
above.     
   
The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and
commissions that CONSOL Energy will pay to the underwriters. These amounts are
shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option
to purchase additional shares.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                Paid by CONSOL
                                                                    Energy
                                                               -----------------
                                                                  No      Full
                                                               Exercise Exercise
                                                               -------- --------
<S>                                                            <C>      <C>
Per share.....................................................   $        $
<CAPTION>
                                                               -------- --------
<S>                                                            <C>      <C>
  Total.......................................................   $        $
<CAPTION>
                                                               ======== ========
</TABLE>    
 
The underwriters may purchase and sell shares of common stock in the open
market in connection with this offering. These transactions may include short
sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by
short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater
number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering.
Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the
purpose of preventing or slowing a decline in the market price of the common
stock while the offering is in progress. The underwriters may also impose a
penalty bid, which means that an underwriter must repay to the other
underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it. An
underwriter may be subject to a penalty bid if the representatives of the
underwriters, while engaging in stabilizing or short covering transactions,
repurchase shares sold by or for the account of that underwriter. These
activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the
common stock. As a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the
price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If the underwriters
commence these activities, they may discontinue them at any time. The
underwriters may carry out these transactions on the New York Stock Exchange,
in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
 
                                       81
<PAGE>
 
   
CONSOL Energy estimates that the total expenses of this offering, excluding
underwriting discounts and commissions, will be $2,250,000.     
   
CONSOL Energy has agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.     
   
CONSOL Energy, Rheinbraun, DuPont and directors and senior officers of CONSOL
Energy have agreed with the underwriters not to dispose of or hedge any of
their common stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares
of common stock, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus,
except with the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. This
agreement does not apply to any of CONSOL Energy's employee benefit plans
existing on or outstanding as of the date of this prospectus or to shares
issued by CONSOL Energy in connection with acquisitions.     
   
At CONSOL Energy's request, the underwriters have reserved shares of common
stock for sale to directors, officers, employees and retirees of CONSOL Energy
who have expressed an interest in participating in the offering. CONSOL Energy
expects these persons to purchase no more than 5% of the common stock offered
in the offering. The number of shares available for sale to the general public
will be reduced to the extent such persons purchase such reserved shares. The
underwriters will offer unpurchased reserved shares to the general public on
the same basis as the other offered shares. CONSOL Energy has agreed to
reimburse Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated for its expenses
in connection with the sale of reserved shares. These expenses are estimated to
be $75,000.     
   
CONSOL Energy has been authorized to list the common stock on the New York
Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "CNX" subject to official notice of
issuance.     
   
It is expected that delivery of the shares will be made to investors on or
about     , 1999.     
   
There has been no public market for the common stock prior to this offering.
CONSOL Energy and the underwriters will negotiate the initial offering price.
In determining the price, CONSOL Energy and the underwriters expect to consider
a number of factors in addition to prevailing market conditions, including:
       
  .  the history of and prospects for the coal industry;     
     
  .  an assessment of CONSOL Energy's management;     
     
  .  CONSOL Energy's present operations;     
     
  .  CONSOL Energy's historical results of operations;     
     
  .  the trend of CONSOL Energy's revenues and earnings; and     
     
  .  CONSOL Energy's earnings prospects.     
   
CONSOL Energy and the underwriters will consider these and other relevant
factors in relation to the prices of similar securities of generally comparable
companies. Neither CONSOL Energy nor the underwriters can assure investors that
an active trading market will develop for the common stock, or that the common
stock will trade in the public market at or above the initial offering price.
       
The underwriters and their affiliates have in the past engaged in commercial
and investment banking transactions with CONSOL Energy and its affiliates in
the ordinary course of business. They may continue to do so in the future.     
 
                                       82
<PAGE>
 
                                  
                               Legal Matters     
   
The validity of the common stock will be passed upon for CONSOL Energy by
Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters in
connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Davis
Polk & Wardwell, New York, New York.     
                                     
                                  Experts     
   
The Consolidated Financial Statements of CONSOL Energy as of December 31, 1997
and 1998 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998
included in this prospectus have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, as stated in their report appearing in this prospectus, and are
included in this prospectus in reliance upon their report given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.     
 
                                       83
<PAGE>
 
                                    
                                 Glossary     
   
Accessible Reserves. Coal adjacent to and accessible by an active mine and that
could be mined by that active mine but has not yet been assigned. In some
cases, accessible reserves can be accessed by more than one mine.     
 
Assigned Reserves. Coal that is designated to be mined by a specific mine.
 
Anthracite. The highest rank of economically usable coal with moisture content
less than 15% by weight and heating value as high as 15,000 Btus per pound. It
is jet black with a high luster. It is mined primarily in Pennsylvania.
 
Ash. Impurities consisting of iron, alumina and other incombustible matter that
are contained in coal. Since ash increases the weight of coal, it adds to the
cost of handling and can affect the burning characteristics of coal.
 
Bituminous Coal. The most common type of coal with moisture content less than
20% by weight and heating value of 10,500 to 14,000 Btus per pound. It is dense
and black and often has well-defined bands of bright and dull material.
 
British Thermal Unit ("Btu"). A measure of the energy required to raise the
temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
 
Coal Seam. Coal deposits occur in layers. Each such layer is called a "seam."
 
Continuous Mining. A form of underground room-and pillar mining, which involves
the excavation of a series of "rooms" into the coal seam leaving "pillars" or
columns of coal to help support the mine roof. A specialized cutting machine,
the continuous miner, mechanizes the extraction procedure. Continuous miners
tear the coal from the seam and load it onto conveyors or into shuttle cars in
a continuous operation.
 
Longwall Mining. A form of underground mining in which two sets of parallel
entries, which can be up to 1,000 feet apart, are joined together at their far
ends by a crosscut, called the longwall. The longwall machine consists of a
rotating drum that moves back and forth across the longwall. The loosened coal
falls onto a conveyor for removal from the mine.
 
Metallurgical Coal. The various grades of coal suitable for carbonization to
make coke for steel manufacture. Also known as "met" coal, it possesses four
important qualities: volatility, which affects coke yield; the level of
impurities, which affects coke quality; composition, which affects coke
strength; and basic characteristics, which affect coke oven safety. Met coal
has a particularly high Btu, but low ash content.
   
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx). A gas formed in high temperature environments such as
coal combustion. It is reported to contribute to ground level ozone and
visibility degradation.     
 
Preparation Plant. Usually located on a mine site, although one plant may serve
several mines. A preparation plant is a facility for crushing, sizing and
washing coal to prepare it for use by a particular customer. The washing
process has the added benefit of removing some of the coal's sulfur content.
 
Probable Reserves. Reserves for which quantity and/or quality are computed from
information similar to that used for proved reserves, but the sites for
inspection, sampling, and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less
adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proved
reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.
 
Proved Reserves. Reserves for which (a) quantity is computed from dimensions
revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; grade and/or quality
are computed from the results of detailed sampling and (b) the sites for
inspection, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic
character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of
reserves are well-established.
 
Reserves. That part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and
legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination.
 
                                       84
<PAGE>
 
Scrubber (flue gas desulfurization unit). Any of several forms of
chemical/physical devices which operate to neutralize sulfur compounds formed
during coal combustion. These devices combine the sulfur in gaseous emissions
with other chemicals to form inert compounds, such as gypsum, which must then
be removed for disposal.
 
Steam Coal. Coal used by power plants and industrial steam boilers to produce
electricity or process steam. It generally is lower in Btu heat content and
higher in volatile matter than metallurgical coal.
 
Subbituminous Coal. Dull, black coal that ranks between lignite and bituminous
coal. Its moisture content is between 20% and 30% by weight, and its heat
content ranges from 7,800 to 9,500 Btus per pound of coal.
 
Sulfur. One of the elements present in varying quantities in coal. Sulfur
dioxide (S0/2/) is produced as a gaseous by-product of coal combustion.
 
Tons. A "short" or net ton is equal to 2,000 pounds. A "long" or British ton is
2,240 pounds; a "metric" ton is approximately 2,205 pounds. The short ton is
the unit of measure referred to in this document.
 
Unassigned Reserves. Coal that has not yet been designated for mining by a
specific operation but is part of the proved and probable reserve reported by
the company at year-end.
 
                                       85
<PAGE>
 
                   
                Index to Consolidated Financial Statements     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
Independent Auditors' Report............................................. F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1998................ F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 1996,
 1997 and 1998........................................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended
 December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998........................................ F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31,
 1996, 1997 and 1998..................................................... F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................... F-7
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                         
                      Report of Independent Auditors     
 
Board of Directors and Stockholders
CONSOL Energy Inc.
   
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of CONSOL Energy Inc. and
subsidiaries (CONSOL Energy) as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the related
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. These financial
statements are the responsibility of CONSOL Energy's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.     
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
   
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of CONSOL
Energy at December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the consolidated results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
                                             
                                          Ernst & Young LLP     
 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
   
February 15, 1999, except as to Note 23,     
   
as to which the date is February 26, 1999.     
       
       
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          Consolidated Balance Sheets
                             (Dollars in thousands)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                        ----------------------
                                                           At December 31,
                                                        ----------------------
                                                              1997        1998
                                                        ----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
ASSETS:
Current Assets
  Cash and Cash Equivalents............................ $   18,788  $   31,285
  Marketable Securities, Available-for-Sale............    114,829         --
  Accounts and Notes Receivable
    Trade..............................................    252,901     261,215
    Related Parties (Note 3)...........................      6,305       1,358
    Other Receivables..................................     23,392      26,760
  Inventories (Note 8).................................    140,724     170,574
  Deferred Income Taxes (Note 7).......................     94,027      96,412
  Prepaid Expenses.....................................     19,273      27,585
<CAPTION>
                                                        ----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
      Total Current Assets.............................    670,239     615,189
Property, Plant and Equipment (Note 9)
  Property, Plant and Equipment........................  4,506,797   4,844,035
    Less--Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and
     Amortization......................................  2,067,707   2,157,023
<CAPTION>
                                                        ----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
      Total Property, Plant and Equipment--Net.........  2,439,090   2,687,012
Other Assets
  Deferred Income Taxes (Note 7).......................    201,270     245,076
  Advance Mining Royalties.............................    131,079     119,160
  Other................................................    106,333     196,953
<CAPTION>
                                                        ----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
      Total Other Assets...............................    438,682     561,189
<CAPTION>
                                                        ----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
      Total Assets..................................... $3,548,011  $3,863,390
<CAPTION>
                                                        ==========  ==========
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Current Liabilities
  Accounts Payable..................................... $  211,059  $  226,289
  Short-Term Notes Payable (Note 10)...................     55,051     551,719
  Current Portion of Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease
   Obligations.........................................      7,639     115,793
  Accrued Income Taxes.................................     13,581      11,260
  Other Accrued Liabilities (Note 11)..................    305,596     312,556
<CAPTION>
                                                        ----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
      Total Current Liabilities........................    592,926   1,217,617
Long-Term Debt
  Long-Term Debt (Note 12).............................    389,618     294,375
  Capital Lease Obligations (Note 13)..................        --       20,720
<CAPTION>
                                                        ----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
      Total Long-Term Debt.............................    389,618     315,095
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
  Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (Note
   14).................................................  1,082,061   1,174,964
  Pneumoconiosis Benefits (Note 15)....................    500,429     483,423
  Mine Closing.........................................    232,767     277,026
  Workers' Compensation................................    177,453     212,807
  Reclamation..........................................     24,331      12,859
  Other................................................    245,661     272,820
<CAPTION>
                                                        ----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
      Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities.....  2,262,702   2,433,899
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
  Common Stock, $.01 Par Value; 500,000,000 Shares
   Authorized; 57,667,558 Issued and Outstanding in
   1998 and 108,806,714
   Issued and Outstanding in 1997......................      1,088         577
  Capital in Excess of Par Value.......................    801,916     302,427
  Retained Earnings Deficit............................   (500,239)   (405,602)
  Other Comprehensive Loss.............................        --         (623)
<CAPTION>
                                                        ----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
      Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit).............    302,765    (103,221)
<CAPTION>
                                                        ----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
      Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity....... $3,548,011  $3,863,390
<CAPTION>
                                                        ==========  ==========
</TABLE>    
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        
                     Consolidated Statements of Income     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
 
                                                 ------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                  Year Ended December 31,
                                              --------------------------------
                                                    1996       1997       1998
                                              ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Sales-Outside................................ $2,207,570 $2,146,936 $2,190,753
Sales-Related Parties (Note 3)...............    128,444    138,261    104,677
Other Income (Note 4)........................     60,940     64,441     54,562
<CAPTION>
                                              ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
  Total Revenue..............................  2,396,954  2,349,638  2,349,992
Costs of Goods Sold and Other Operating
 Charges.....................................  1,687,836  1,592,413  1,594,523
Selling, General and Administrative
 Expenses....................................     53,354     55,429     55,128
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization.....    235,159    233,304    238,584
Interest Expense (Note 5)....................     44,510     45,876     48,138
Taxes Other Than Income (Note 6).............    187,396    188,940    201,137
<CAPTION>
                                              ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
  Total Costs................................  2,208,255  2,115,962  2,137,510
<CAPTION>
                                              ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Earnings Before Income Taxes.................    188,699    233,676    212,482
Income Taxes (Note 7)........................     35,970     49,887     37,845
<CAPTION>
                                              ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
  Net Income................................. $  152,729 $  183,789 $  174,637
<CAPTION>
                                              ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>    
 
 
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            
         Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
 
                             --------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                             Other
                                     Capital in  Retained  Compre-            Total
                          Common  Excess of Par  Earnings  hensive    Stockholders'
                           Stock          Value   Deficit     Loss Equity (Deficit)
                          ------  ------------- ---------  ------- ----------------
<S>                       <C>     <C>           <C>        <C>     <C>
Balance December 31,
 1995 (as previously
 reported)..............  $ 100     $802,904    $(296,757)  $ --      $ 506,247
Recapitalization
 effected as an
 approximate 1,088 to 1
 stock split............    988         (988)         --      --            --
<CAPTION>
                          ------  ------------- ---------  ------- ----------------
<S>                       <C>     <C>           <C>        <C>     <C>
Balance December 31,
 1995 (as adjusted).....  1,088      801,916     (296,757)    --        506,247
Net Income..............    --           --       152,729     --        152,729
Dividends...............    --           --       (80,000)    --        (80,000)
<CAPTION>
                          ------  ------------- ---------  ------- ----------------
<S>                       <C>     <C>           <C>        <C>     <C>
Balance December 31,
 1996...................  1,088      801,916     (224,028)    --        578,976
Net Income..............    --           --       183,789     --        183,789
Dividends...............    --           --      (460,000)    --       (460,000)
<CAPTION>
                          ------  ------------- ---------  ------- ----------------
<S>                       <C>     <C>           <C>        <C>     <C>
Balance December 31,
 1997...................  1,088      801,916     (500,239)    --        302,765
Net Income..............    --           --       174,637     --        174,637
Unrealized Loss on
 Securities (Net of $171
 tax)...................    --           --           --     (270)         (270)
Minimum Pension
 Liability (Net of $224
 tax)...................    --           --           --     (353)         (353)
<CAPTION>
                          ------  ------------- ---------  ------- ----------------
<S>                       <C>     <C>           <C>        <C>     <C>
Comprehensive Income....    --           --       174,637    (623)      174,014
Repurchase and
 Retirement of Common
 Stock .................   (511)    (499,489)         --      --       (500,000)
Dividends...............    --           --       (80,000)    --        (80,000)
<CAPTION>
                          ------  ------------- ---------  ------- ----------------
<S>                       <C>     <C>           <C>        <C>     <C>
Balance at December 31,
 1998...................  $ 577     $302,427    $(405,602)  $(623)    $(103,221)
<CAPTION>
                          ======  ============= =========  ======= ================
</TABLE>    
 
 
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      
                   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
 
                                                   ----------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                  Year Ended December 31,
                                               -------------------------------
                                                    1996       1997       1998
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
  Net Income.................................. $ 152,729  $ 183,789  $ 174,637
  Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net
   Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization..   235,159    233,304    238,584
    Gain on Sale of Assets....................   (13,959)   (13,134)    (7,690)
    Amortization of Advance Mining Royalties..    22,809     14,617     16,920
    Deferred Income Taxes.....................   (23,149)   (16,024)   (26,375)
   Changes in Operating Assets
    Accounts and Notes Receivable.............    (7,787)    19,185     33,296
    Inventories...............................    60,884     (8,997)   (15,687)
    Prepaid Expenses..........................     7,396     (2,699)    (7,542)
   Changes in Other Assets....................     2,931      4,892     23,576
   Changes in Operating Liabilities
    Accounts Payable..........................   (24,848)    22,562    (19,424)
    Other Operating Liabilities...............   (25,603)    39,222    (16,663)
   Changes in Other Liabilities...............   (13,088)   (47,415)    (9,812)
   Other......................................      (892)    (1,389)    11,493
<CAPTION>
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                 219,853    244,124    220,676
<CAPTION>
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
  Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities...   372,582    427,913    395,313
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
  Capital Expenditures........................  (169,367)  (200,617)  (254,515)
  Additions to Advance Mining Royalties.......    (5,444)    (6,119)    (5,833)
  Proceeds from Sales of Assets...............    19,669     19,535     10,009
  Acquisitions--Net of Cash Acquired (Note
   2).........................................       --         --    (100,408)
  Changes in Marketable Securities--Net.......   (96,094)   239,444    114,829
<CAPTION>
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing
 Activities...................................  (251,236)    52,243   (235,918)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
  Proceeds from Borrowings....................       --       8,711    494,448
  Payments on Borrowings......................   (39,254)   (50,065)   (61,346)
  Repurchase and Retirement of Common Stock...       --         --    (500,000)
  Dividends Paid..............................   (80,000)  (460,000)   (80,000)
<CAPTION>
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
  Net Cash Used in Financing Activities.......  (119,254)  (501,354)  (146,898)
<CAPTION>
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash
 Equivalents..................................     2,092    (21,198)    12,497
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of
 Period.......................................    37,894     39,986     18,788
<CAPTION>
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period.... $  39,986  $  18,788  $  31,285
<CAPTION>
                                               =========  =========  =========
</TABLE>    
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   
                Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
   
Note 1--Significant Accounting Policies     
   
A summary of the significant accounting policies of CONSOL Energy Inc. and
subsidiaries (CONSOL Energy) is presented below. These, together with the other
notes that follow, are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.     
 
Basis of Consolidation
   
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of majority-owned
subsidiaries. Investments in affiliates owned 20 percent to 50 percent are
accounted for under the equity method. Investments in non-corporate joint
ventures, for which CONSOL Energy owns undivided interests in the assets and
liabilities, are consolidated on a pro rata basis. Other securities and
investments are carried at cost. All significant intercompany transactions and
accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.     
 
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying
notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and in banks as well as all
highly liquid short-term securities with a maturity of three months or less at
the time of purchase. Overdrafts representing outstanding checks in excess of
funds on deposit are classified as accounts payable.
          
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities     
   
CONSOL Energy accounts for its investments in debt and equity securities in
accordance with the provisions of Statement of Accounting Standard No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities". These
investments are adjusted to market value at the end of each accounting period.
       
This standard requires securities to be classified into one of three
categories: (1) trading, (2) available-for-sale, or (3) held-to-maturity. All
securities at December 31, 1997 and 1998 are classified as available-for-sale
securities under the provisions of Statement of Accounting Standard No. 115.
       
Management determines the proper classification at the time of purchase and
reevaluates such designations at the end of each accounting period. Securities
that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the
near term are classified as trading with unrealized holding gains and losses
included in earnings. Securities not classified as trading are classified as
available-for-sale with unrealized gains or losses, net of income taxes,
included in a separate component of stockholders' equity.     
   
Interest and dividends are included in interest income. The amortized cost of
debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of
discounts to maturity. Such amortization is also included in interest income.
The cost of investments sold is determined on a specific identification basis.
    
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.
   
Cost is determined by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for 46% and 58% of
coal inventories at December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1998, respectively. The
cost of coal inventories not on LIFO is determined by the first-in, first-out
(FIFO) method. Coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs,
overhead, and other related costs. The cost of merchandise for resale is
determined by the LIFO method. The cost of supplies inventory is determined by
the average cost method.     
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost. Expenditures, which extend
the useful lives of existing plant and equipment, are capitalized. Interest
costs applicable to major asset additions are capitalized during the
construction period. Coal exploration costs are expensed as incurred.
Development costs applicable to the opening of new coal mines and certain mine
expansion projects are capitalized. Costs of additional mine facilities
required to maintain production after a mine reaches the production stage,
generally referred to as "receding face costs," are expensed as incurred;
however, the costs of additional airshafts and new portals are capitalized.
 
Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. When
properties are retired or otherwise disposed, the related cost and accumulated
depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any profit or loss on
disposition is credited or charged to income.
 
Depreciation of plant and equipment, including assets leased under capital
leases, is provided on the straight-line method over their estimated useful
lives or lease terms. Depletion of coal lands and amortization of mine
development costs are computed using the units-of-production method over the
estimated recoverable tons.
 
Advance Mining Royalties
Advance mining royalties are advance payments made to lessors under terms of
mineral lease agreements that are recoupable against future production. These
advance payments are deferred and charged against income as the coal reserves
are mined.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets is recorded when indicators of impairment are
present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those
assets are less than the assets' carrying value. The carrying value of the
assets are then reduced to their estimated fair value which is usually measured
based on an estimate of future discounted cash flows.
 
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes has been determined under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, which requires use of the asset and liability
approach to accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred taxes
represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. The provision for
income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year and
the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from
differences between the financial and tax bases of the company's assets and
liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when changes
are enacted. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets
where it is more likely than not that a deferred tax benefit will not be
realized.
 
Pneumoconiosis Benefits
   
CONSOL Energy is required by federal and state statutes to provide benefits to
employees for awards related to coal workers' pneumoconiosis. CONSOL Energy is
self-insured for these benefits. Provisions are made for estimated benefits
based on annual evaluations prepared by outside actuaries.     
 
Mine Closing Costs
Estimated final mine closing and perpetual care costs are accrued over the
productive life of mines on a units of production basis.
 
Workers' Compensation
   
CONSOL Energy is primarily self-insured for workers' compensation. Annual
provisions are made for the estimated liability for awarded and pending claims.
    
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Reclamation
   
Generally, CONSOL Energy records a liability for the estimated costs to reclaim
land as the acreage is disturbed during the ongoing surface mining process.
    
Revenue Recognition
Coal sales are recorded at contract prices when title passes to the customer.
Generally, for domestic sales, this occurs when coal is loaded onto
transportation vehicles at mine or offsite storage locations. For most export
sales, this occurs when coal is loaded onto marine vessels at terminal
locations. Industrial supplies and equipment sales are recorded when the
products are shipped.
 
Reclassifications
   
Certain reclassifications of prior years' data have been made to conform to
1998 classifications.     
   
Note 2--Acquisitions     
          
On September 22, 1998, CONSOL Energy acquired Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal
Company. Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal Company is primarily engaged in
underground bituminous coal operations in Pennsylvania. CONSOL Energy paid
$100,408 (net of $49,275 cash acquired).     
   
The acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method. Accordingly,
the preliminary purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed, based on the fair values at the date of the acquisition.
CONSOL Energy's financial statements also include the results of Rochester and
Pittsburgh Coal Company on a consolidated basis from the date of the
acquisition.     
   
Pro forma revenues, assuming the acquisition of Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal
Company had occurred on January 1 would be $2,578,666 for 1997 and $2,604,726
for 1998 . Pro forma net income for these periods, after giving effect to
certain purchase accounting adjustments, would not materially change. These pro
forma results are not necessarily indicative of what would have occurred if the
acquisition had been made at the beginning of 1997. In addition, they are not
intended to be a projection of future results and do not reflect any synergies
that might be achieved from combined operations.     
   
On November 7, 1998, CONSOL Energy exchanged the Holden Complex and the Twin
Branch Complex for the Vesta Coal Reserves located in Southwestern
Pennsylvania. The transaction was recorded as an exchange; therefore, no gain
or loss was recognized.     
   
Note 3--Transactions With Related Parties     
          
As of November 5, 1998, CONSOL Energy is owned 94% by subsidiaries of RWE A.G.
of Germany (collectively Rheinbraun) and 6% by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and
Company (DuPont). Prior to that date, CONSOL Energy was owned 50% by DuPont and
50% by Rheinbraun. CONSOL Energy sells coal to Rheinbraun and DuPont and
industrial supplies to DuPont on a basis reflecting the market value of the
products. Such sales were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                        1996     1997      1998
                                                    -------- -------- ---------
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>      <C>
Coal sales......................................... $ 39,212 $ 39,406 $  21,678
Industrial supplies and equipment sales............   89,232   98,855    82,999
<CAPTION>
                                                    -------- -------- ---------
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>      <C>
  Total Sales--Related Parties..................... $128,444 $138,261 $ 104,677
<CAPTION>
                                                    ======== ======== =========
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
   
DuPont and CONSOL Energy had an annually renewable service agreement to provide
each other with certain services and functions. Charges were based on each
party's fully allocated cost as distributed to its own organizational units and
were paid currently. Net amounts charged and credited under this agreement were
not significant in 1996, 1997 or 1998. This service agreement was terminated as
of December 31, 1998.     
   
Note 4--Other Income     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                         -----------------------
                                                         Year Ended December 31,
                                                         -----------------------
                                                            1996    1997    1998
                                                         ------- ------- -------
   <S>                                                   <C>     <C>     <C>
   Royalty income......................................  $ 9,758 $13,338 $14,209
   Interest income.....................................   20,501  22,618  10,531
   Gain on disposition of assets.......................   13,959  13,134   7,690
   Rental income.......................................    6,020   5,165   5,336
   Proceeds from relinquishment of mining rights.......      --      --    5,250
   Service income......................................    6,277   5,702   5,180
   Other...............................................    4,425   4,484   6,366
<CAPTION>
                                                         ------- ------- -------
   <S>                                                   <C>     <C>     <C>
     Total Other Income................................  $60,940 $64,441 $54,562
<CAPTION>
                                                         ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>    
   
Note 5--Interest Expense     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                      -------------------------
                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                      -------------------------
                                                         1996     1997     1998
                                                      -------  -------  -------
   <S>                                                <C>      <C>      <C>
   Interest on debt.................................. $34,505  $32,021  $38,590
   Non-cash interest accretion.......................   4,975    6,425    6,823
   Interest on other payables........................   7,742    9,246    6,017
   Interest capitalized..............................  (2,712)  (1,816)  (3,292)
<CAPTION>
                                                      -------  -------  -------
   <S>                                                <C>      <C>      <C>
     Total Interest Expense.......................... $44,510  $45,876  $48,138
<CAPTION>
                                                      =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>    
 
Non-cash interest accretion includes interest accrued on perpetual care
obligations which are stated at present values.
   
Note 6--Taxes Other Than Income     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                     --------------------------
                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                     --------------------------
                                                         1996     1997     1998
                                                     -------- -------- --------
   <S>                                               <C>      <C>      <C>
   Production taxes................................. $113,452 $121,969 $132,187
   Payroll taxes....................................   39,632   37,346   37,745
   Property taxes...................................   32,099   27,786   27,377
   Other............................................    2,213    1,839    3,828
<CAPTION>
                                                     -------- -------- --------
   <S>                                               <C>      <C>      <C>
     Total Taxes Other Than Income.................. $187,396 $188,940 $201,137
<CAPTION>
                                                     ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
   
Note 7--Income Taxes     
 
Income taxes provided on earnings consisted of:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                     Year Ended December 31,
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                        1996      1997     1998
                                                    --------  --------  -------
   <S>                                              <C>       <C>       <C>
   Current
     U.S. federal.................................. $ 50,533  $ 52,015  $52,084
     U.S. state....................................    5,928     6,677    7,958
     Non-U.S.......................................    2,658     7,219    4,178
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------  --------  -------
   <S>                                              <C>       <C>       <C>
                                                      59,119    65,911   64,220
   Deferred
     U.S. federal..................................  (19,288)  (14,001) (23,267)
     U.S. state....................................   (3,518)   (2,413)  (4,109)
     Non-U.S.......................................     (343)      390    1,001
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------  --------  -------
   <S>                                              <C>       <C>       <C>
                                                     (23,149)  (16,024) (26,375)
<CAPTION>
                                                    --------  --------  -------
   <S>                                              <C>       <C>       <C>
       Total Income Taxes.......................... $ 35,970  $ 49,887  $37,845
<CAPTION>
                                                    ========  ========  =======
</TABLE>    
 
The components of the net deferred tax asset are as follows:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                           --------------------
                                                              December 31,
                                                           --------------------
                                                                1997       1998
                                                           ---------  ---------
   <S>                                                     <C>        <C>
   Deferred Tax Assets
     Postretirement benefits other than pensions.......... $ 445,527  $ 484,037
     Pneumoconiosis benefits..............................   198,939    191,567
     Mine closing.........................................    96,965    115,284
     Workers' compensation................................    78,273     95,441
     Alternative minimum tax..............................    48,307     61,923
     Reclamation..........................................    14,560     12,005
     Net operating loss...................................       --       8,653
     Other................................................   111,677    137,726
<CAPTION>
                                                           ---------  ---------
   <S>                                                     <C>        <C>
       Total Deferred Tax Assets..........................   994,248  1,106,636
   Deferred Tax Liabilities
     Property, plant and equipment........................  (636,756)  (685,324)
     Advance mining royalties.............................   (38,950)   (35,118)
     Other................................................   (23,245)   (44,706)
<CAPTION>
                                                           ---------  ---------
   <S>                                                     <C>        <C>
       Total Deferred Tax Liabilities.....................  (698,951)  (765,148)
<CAPTION>
                                                           ---------  ---------
   <S>                                                     <C>        <C>
       Net Deferred Tax Asset............................. $ 295,297  $ 341,488
<CAPTION>
                                                           =========  =========
</TABLE>    
   
Due to the acquisition of Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal Company, the components
of deferred tax assets and liabilities have been affected by $120,484 and
$101,063, respectively.     
   
At December 31, 1998, also due to the acquisition, CONSOL Energy has net
operating loss carry-forwards for federal income tax purposes of $22,141 which
are available to offset future federal taxable income through 2010. A portion
of these carry-forwards is also available for state income tax purposes. These
carry-forwards are primarily related to mine development expenditures.     
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
   
The following is a reconciliation, stated as a percentage of pretax income of
the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to CONSOL Energy's effective tax
rate:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                      -------------------------
                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                      -------------------------
                                                         1996     1997     1998
                                                      -------  -------  -------
   <S>                                                <C>      <C>      <C>
   Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate............    35.0%    35.0%    35.0%
   Excess tax depletion..............................   (17.3)   (13.8)   (17.4)
   Alternative fuel tax credit.......................     (.8)    (1.2)     (.8)
   Net effect of state tax...........................      .8      1.2      1.2
   Net effect of foreign tax.........................     (.5)     1.3      1.0
   Other.............................................     1.9     (1.2)    (1.2)
<CAPTION>
                                                      -------  -------  -------
   <S>                                                <C>      <C>      <C>
     Effective Income Tax Rate.......................    19.1%    21.3%    17.8%
<CAPTION>
                                                      =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>    
   
Foreign income before taxes totaled $10,273 in 1996, $13,832 in 1997 and
$11,165 in 1998.     
   
Note 8--Inventories     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                               -----------------
                                                                 December 31,
                                                               -----------------
                                                                   1997     1998
                                                               -------- --------
   <S>                                                         <C>      <C>
   Coal....................................................... $ 57,947 $ 91,886
   Merchandise for resale.....................................   38,994   37,209
   Supplies...................................................   43,783   41,479
<CAPTION>
                                                               -------- --------
   <S>                                                         <C>      <C>
     Total Inventories........................................ $140,724 $170,574
<CAPTION>
                                                               ======== ========
</TABLE>    
   
Replacement cost of coal inventories exceeded LIFO cost by $10,476 and $6,051
at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.     
   
Merchandise for resale is valued using the LIFO cost method. The excess of
replacement cost of merchandise for resale inventories over carrying LIFO value
was $6,261 and $5,254 at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.     
   
Note 9--Property, Plant and Equipment     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                         ---------------------
                                                             December 31,
                                                         ---------------------
                                                               1997       1998
                                                         ---------- ----------
   <S>                                                   <C>        <C>
   Coal and surface lands............................... $1,417,847 $1,442,518
   Plant and equipment..................................  2,681,224  2,808,038
   Mine development and airshafts.......................    407,726    593,479
<CAPTION>
                                                         ---------- ----------
   <S>                                                   <C>        <C>
                                                          4,506,797  4,844,035
     Less--Accumulated depreciation, depletion and
      amortization......................................  2,067,707  2,157,023
<CAPTION>
                                                         ---------- ----------
   <S>                                                   <C>        <C>
   Net Property, Plant and Equipment.................... $2,439,090 $2,687,012
<CAPTION>
                                                         ========== ==========
</TABLE>    
   
Plant and equipment includes gross assets under capital lease of $19,264 in
1998. Related accumulated amortization was $993 at December 31, 1998. There
were no assets under capital lease included in gross assets or accumulated
amortization at December 31, 1997.     
   
Note 10--Short-Term Notes Payable     
   
CONSOL Energy has commercial paper notes outstanding of $55,051 and $551,719
(net of discount of $114 and $1,441) at December 31, 1997 and 1998,
respectively. The weighted average interest rate of the commercial paper notes
outstanding was 6.26 and 6.10 percent with an average maturity of 14 and 16
days at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.     
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
   
CONSOL Energy has a $700,000 revolving credit facility with several banks. This
facility is used to support the commercial paper program. The term of this
facility is 360 days renewable on a 360-day basis. In the aggregate, the total
amount of funds borrowed under this facility and outstanding commercial paper
cannot exceed $700,000. Borrowings under this revolving credit facility bear
interest based on the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) or the Prime Rate at
CONSOL Energy's option. Funds may be borrowed for periods of 1 to 360 days
depending on the interest rate method. There were no borrowings under this
facility at December 31, 1997 and 1998.     
   
Note 11--Other Accrued Liabilities     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                              -----------------
                                                                December 31,
                                                              -----------------
                                                                  1997     1998
                                                              -------- --------
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
Accrued payroll and benefits................................. $ 41,559 $ 51,733
Accrued other taxes..........................................   35,133   37,370
Accrued royalties............................................   14,230   10,791
Accrued interest.............................................    9,930    7,598
Other........................................................   34,122   41,661
Current portion of long-term liabilities:
  Postretirement benefits other than pensions................   63,254   69,346
  Workers' compensation......................................   33,213   41,420
  Mine closing...............................................   16,824   19,644
  Reclamation................................................   20,221   19,453
  Pneumoconiosis benefits....................................   10,982    9,039
  Salary retirement..........................................   20,013      500
  Other......................................................    6,115    4,001
<CAPTION>
                                                              -------- --------
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
     Total Other Accrued Liabilities......................... $305,596 $312,556
<CAPTION>
                                                              ======== ========
</TABLE>    
   
Note 12--Long-Term Debt     
 
Long-term debt is as follows:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                             -----------------
                                                               December 31,
                                                             -----------------
                                                                 1997     1998
                                                             -------- --------
   <S>                                                       <C>      <C>
   Unsecured Debt
     Notes due 1999 at 7.88%................................ $ 99,970 $100,000
     Notes due 2002 at average of 8.28%.....................   66,000   66,000
     Notes due 2004 at 8.21%................................   45,000   45,000
     Notes due 2007 at 8.25%................................   44,771   44,788
   Baltimore Port Facility revenue bonds in series due 2010
    and 2011 at 6.50%.......................................  102,865  102,865
   Variable rate notes payable due at various dates through
    2001....................................................    3,709   14,972
   Advance royalty commitments..............................   28,328   27,057
   Other long-term notes maturing at various dates through
    2031....................................................    6,614    5,438
<CAPTION>
                                                             -------- --------
   <S>                                                       <C>      <C>
                                                              397,257  406,120
       Less amounts due in one year.........................    7,639  111,745
<CAPTION>
                                                             -------- --------
   <S>                                                       <C>      <C>
       Total Long-Term Debt................................. $389,618 $294,375
<CAPTION>
                                                             ======== ========
</TABLE>    
 
The Baltimore Port Facility revenue bonds are guaranteed by DuPont.
   
The variable rate notes, advance royalty commitments, and the other long-term
notes had an average interest rate of approximately 7.5% at December 31, 1997
and 7.2% at December 31, 1998. The bonds and notes are carried net of debt
discount, which is being amortized by the interest method over the life of the
issue.     
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
 
                       
                    CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES     
             
          Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             
                          (Dollars in thousands)     
 
 
Annual undiscounted maturities on long-term debt during the next five years are
as follows:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                        --------
   Year                                                                  Amount
   ----                                                                 --------
   <S>                                                                  <C>
   1999................................................................ $111,745
   2000................................................................ $ 10,249
   2001................................................................ $  2,746
   2002................................................................ $ 68,312
   2003................................................................ $  2,141
</TABLE>    
   
Note 13--Leases     
   
CONSOL Energy uses various leased facilities and equipment in its operations.
Future minimum lease payments under capital and operating leases, together with
the present value of the net minimum capital lease payment, at December 31,
1998, are as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                               -----------------
                                                               Capital Operating
   Year                                                          Lease    Leases
   ----                                                        ------- ---------
   <S>                                                         <C>     <C>
   1999....................................................... $ 5,748  $13,426
   2000.......................................................   5,656    9,766
   2001.......................................................   4,946    8,603
   2002.......................................................   4,908    3,282
   2003.......................................................   5,842    2,298
   Remainder..................................................   3,298   12,014
<CAPTION>
                                                               ------- ---------
   <S>                                                         <C>     <C>
   Total minimum lease payments...............................  30,398  $49,389
<CAPTION>
                                                                       =========
   <S>                                                         <C>     <C>
     Less imputed interest (7.05%-7.50%)......................   5,630
<CAPTION>
                                                               -------
   <S>                                                         <C>     <C>
     Present value of minimum lease payment...................  24,768
     Less amounts due in one year.............................   4,048
<CAPTION>
                                                               -------
   <S>                                                         <C>     <C>
     Total long-term capital lease obligation................. $20,720
<CAPTION>
                                                               =======
</TABLE>    
   
Rental expense under operating leases was $15,589 in 1996, $14,596 in 1997 and
$12,983 in 1998.     
          
Note 14--Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans     
          
CONSOL Energy has non-contributory defined benefit plans covering substantially
all employees not covered by multi-employer retirement plans. The benefits for
these plans are based primarily on years of service and employees' pay near
retirement.     
   
Certain subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy provide medical and life insurance
benefits to retired employees not covered by the Coal Industry Retiree Health
Benefit Act of 1992. Substantially all employees may become eligible for these
benefits if they have worked ten years and attained age 55. The associated
plans are generally unfunded. The medical plan contains certain cost sharing
and containment features, such as deductibles, coinsurance, health care
networks and coordination with Medicare.     
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
   
The reconciliation of changes in benefit obligation, plan assets and funded
status of these plans at December 31, 1997 and 1998 is as follows:     
 
                                            -----------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                 Pension Benefits        Other Benefits
                                 ------------------  ------------------------
                                     1997      1998         1997         1998
                                 --------  --------  -----------  -----------
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
Reconciliation of Benefit
 Obligation:
  Benefit obligation at
   beginning of year............ $220,643  $227,671  $   938,877  $   955,151
  Service cost..................   12,657    13,054        9,884        7,486
  Interest cost.................   15,107    16,738       65,968       79,615
  Actuarial loss................      534    31,675          --       242,494
  Acquisition...................      --     42,908          --        92,609
  Benefits paid.................  (21,270)  (30,233)     (59,578)     (64,759)
<CAPTION>
                                 --------  --------  -----------  -----------
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
  Benefit obligation at end of
   year......................... $227,671  $301,813  $   955,151  $ 1,312,596
<CAPTION>
                                 ========  ========  ===========  ===========
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
Reconciliation of Fair Value of
 Plan Assets:
  Fair value of plan assets at
   beginning of year............ $158,453  $173,287  $       --   $       --
  Actual return on plan assets..   26,273    37,837          --           626
  Acquisition...................      --    103,035          --         7,510
  Company contributions.........    9,831    10,296       59,578       64,759
  Benefits and other payments...  (21,270)  (30,244)     (59,578)     (64,759)
<CAPTION>
                                 --------  --------  -----------  -----------
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
  Fair value of plan assets at
   end of year.................. $173,287  $294,211  $       --   $     8,136
<CAPTION>
                                 ========  ========  ===========  ===========
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
Funded Status:
  Status of Plan (underfunded).. $(54,384) $ (7,602) $  (955,151) $(1,304,460)
  Unrecognized prior service
   cost.........................    2,434     2,076      (39,528)     (30,697)
  Unrecognized net actuarial
   loss (gain)..................   30,324    40,959     (150,636)      90,847
<CAPTION>
                                 --------  --------  -----------  -----------
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
  Prepaid (accrued) benefit
   cost......................... $(21,626) $ 35,433  $(1,145,315) $(1,244,310)
<CAPTION>
                                 ========  ========  ===========  ===========
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
Amounts recognized in statement
 of financial position consist
 of:
  Prepaid benefit cost.......... $    172  $ 35,183  $       --   $       --
  Accrued benefit liability.....  (21,798)     (327)  (1,145,315)  (1,244,310)
  Accumulated other
   comprehensive loss...........      --        577          --           --
<CAPTION>
                                 --------  --------  -----------  -----------
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
Net amount recognized........... $(21,626) $ 35,433  $(1,145,315) $(1,244,310)
<CAPTION>
                                 ========  ========  ===========  ===========
 
                                            ----------------------------------
                                 Pension Benefits        Other Benefits
                                 ------------------  ------------------------
                                     1997      1998         1997         1998
                                 --------  --------  -----------  -----------
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
Weighted-average assumptions as
 of December 31:
  Discount rate.................    7.25%     6.75%        7.25%        6.75%
  Expected return on plan
   assets.......................    9.00%     9.00%          --         9.00%
  Rate of compensation
   increase.....................    4.68%     4.43%          --           --
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
   
For measurement purposes, a 7.0% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost
of covered health care benefits was assumed for 1999, gradually decreasing to
4.5% in 2003, and remaining level thereafter.     
 
 
                                     ------------------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                            Pension Benefits            Other Benefits
                         -------------------------  -------------------------
                            1996     1997     1998     1996     1997     1998
                         -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Components of net
 periodic benefit cost:
  Service cost.......... $12,556  $12,657  $13,054  $ 9,227  $ 9,884  $ 7,486
  Interest cost.........  14,418   15,107   16,738   62,736   65,968   79,615
  Expected return on
   plan assets.......... (12,963) (13,239) (17,822)     --       --      (181)
  Amortization of prior
   service cost.........     353    1,270      351   (8,831)  (8,831)  (8,831)
  Recognized net
   actuarial loss.......     215    2,759    1,040   (9,447)  (6,445)     567
<CAPTION>
                         -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Benefit cost............ $14,579  $18,554  $13,361  $53,685  $60,576  $78,656
<CAPTION>
                         =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>    
   
The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair
value of plan assets for the pension plan with accumulated benefit obligations
in excess of plan assets were $888, $888 and $509, respectively, as of December
31, 1997 and $903, $903 and $568, respectively, as of December 31 1998.     
   
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts
reported for the medical plan. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health
care cost trend rates would have the following effects:     
 
                                                   --------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                  1-Percentage-  1-Percentage-
                                                 Point Increase Point Decrease
                                                 -------------- --------------
<S>                                              <C>            <C>
Effect on total of service and interest costs
 components.....................................       $ 11,812       $  9,836
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit
 obligation.....................................       $167,117       $137,179
</TABLE>    
   
Note 15--Other Employee Benefit Plans     
 
UMWA Pension and Benefit Trusts
   
Certain subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy are required under the National
Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement (NBCWA) of 1998 with the United Mine Workers of
America (UMWA) to pay amounts to the UMWA Pension Trusts based principally on
hours worked by UMWA represented employees. These multi-employer pension trusts
provide benefits to eligible retirees through a defined benefit plan. Amounts
charged to expense for these benefits were $6,441 in 1996, $5,831 in 1997 and
$3,395 in 1998. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) as
amended in 1980, imposes certain liabilities on contributors to multi-employer
pension plans in the event of a contributor's withdrawal from the plan. The
withdrawal liability would be calculated based on the contributor's
proportionate share of the plan's unfunded vested liabilities.     
   
The Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 (the Act) created two
multi-employer benefit plans: (1) the United Mine Workers of America Combined
Benefit Fund (the Combined Fund) into which the former UMWA Benefit Trusts were
merged, and (2) the 1992 Benefit Fund. CONSOL Energy subsidiaries account for
required contributions to these multi-employer trusts as expense when incurred.
       
The Combined Fund provides medical and death benefits for all beneficiaries of
the former UMWA Benefit Trusts who were actually receiving benefits as of July
20, 1992. The Act provides for the assignment of beneficiaries to former
employers and the allocation of unassigned beneficiaries (referred to as
orphans) to companies using a formula set forth in the Act. The Act requires
that responsibility for funding the benefits to be paid to beneficiaries be
assigned to their former signatory employers or related companies. Amounts
charged to expense for the Combined Fund were $25,828 in 1996, $32,980 in 1997
and $28,428 in 1998.     
   
The 1992 Benefit Fund provides medical and death benefits to orphan UMWA-
represented members eligible for retirement on February 1, 1993, and who
actually retired between July 20, 1992 and September 30, 1994. Amounts charged
to expense for the 1992 Benefit Fund were $3,269 in 1996, $5,564 in 1997 and
$5,649 in 1998.     
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
   
The UMWA 1993 Benefit Plan is a defined contribution plan that was created as
the result of negotiations for the NBCWA of 1993. This plan provides health
care benefits to orphan UMWA retirees who are not eligible to participate in
the Combined Fund, the 1992 Benefit Fund, or whose last employer signed the
NBCWA of 1993 and subsequently goes out of business. Contributions to the trust
are fixed at thirteen cents per hour worked by UMWA represented employees. The
NBCWA of 1998 specifies that benefits provided under this plan are to be
incorporated into the current agreement and will be in effect for the duration
of the contract. Amounts charged to expense for the UMWA 1993 Benefit Plan were
$857 in 1996, $779 in 1997 and $999 in 1998.     
   
The current UMWA labor agreement is effective from January 1, 1998 through
December 31, 2002.     
 
Investment Plan
   
CONSOL Energy has an Investment Plan available to all domestic, non-represented
employees. CONSOL Energy matches employee contributions for an amount up to 6%
of the employee's base pay. Amounts charged to expense were $11,324 in 1996,
$11,372 in 1997 and $11,343 in 1998.     
 
Long-Term Disability
   
CONSOL Energy has a Long-Term Disability Plan available to all full-time
salaried employees. The benefits for this plan are based on a percentage of
monthly earnings, offset by all other income benefits available to the
disabled. Liabilities (net of Plan Assets) included in Deferred Credits and
Other Liabilities--Other amounted to $22,342 and $25,391 at December 31, 1997
and December 31, 1998, respectively. The expense was determined using a
discount rate of 7.25% in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Amounts charged to expense were
$2,988 in 1996, $8,449 in 1997 and $7,557 in 1998.     
 
Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP)
   
CONSOL Energy is liable under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of
1969, as amended, for medical and disability benefits to employees and their
dependents resulting from occurrences of coal workers' pneumoconiosis disease.
CONSOL Energy is also liable under various state statutes for pneumoconiosis
benefits. CONSOL Energy provides for these claims through a self-insurance
program.     
   
CONSOL Energy employs the projected unit credit method to determine the CWP
liability and expense. Under this method, the costs determined by the actuarial
study are being amortized over the employees' requisite service period.
Actuarial gains and losses are being amortized over the remainder of the
service life of the employees which approximates 14.8 years. The expense was
determined using a discount rate of 7.25% in 1996, 1997 and 1998.     
 
Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis cost included the following components:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                   Year Ended December 31,
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                      1996      1997      1998
                                                  --------  --------  --------
   <S>                                            <C>       <C>       <C>
   Service cost.................................. $  8,971  $  7,128  $  5,605
   Interest cost.................................   20,436    16,075    14,201
   Amortization of actuarial gain................  (17,326)  (18,756)  (20,566)
   Return on Plan Assets.........................      --        --     (1,487)
<CAPTION>
                                                  --------  --------  --------
   <S>                                            <C>       <C>       <C>
     Net Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis Cost....... $ 12,081  $  4,447  $ (2,247)
<CAPTION>
                                                  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>    
   
CWP payments were $12,543 in 1996, $10,928 in 1997 and $10,003 in 1998.     
       
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
          
Note 16--Other Income Statement Information     
   
Research and development costs charged to expense aggregated $9,442 in 1996,
$9,484 in 1997 and $9,222 in 1998.     
   
Maintenance and repairs charged to expense aggregated $277,396 in 1996,
$281,820 in 1997 and $287,427 in 1998.     
   
Note 17--Supplemental Cash Flow Information     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                     -------------------------
                                                      Year ended December 31,
                                                     -------------------------
                                                        1996     1997     1998
                                                     ------- -------- --------
<S>                                                  <C>     <C>      <C>
Cash paid during the year for:
  Interest (net of amounts capitalized)............. $36,544 $ 33,031 $ 41,119
  Income taxes paid................................. $64,547 $ 55,554 $ 63,216
  Dividends to stockholders......................... $80,000 $460,000 $ 80,000
  Non-cash investing and financing activities:
    Business acquired (Note 2):
      Fair value of assets acquired.................     --       --  $438,699
      Liabilities assumed...........................     --       --  $338,291
    Coal property exchange (Note 2):
      Net fair value of assets acquired.............     --       --  $ (1,312)
      Net liabilities assumed.......................     --       --  $ (1,312)
  Charitable contribution of property...............     --       --  $(13,480)
</TABLE>    
   
Note 18--Concentration of Credit Risk and Major Customers     
   
CONSOL Energy markets steam coal, principally to electric utilities in the
United States, Canada and Western Europe, and metallurgical coal to steel and
coke producers worldwide. As of December 31, 1997 and 1998, accounts receivable
from utilities were $137,857 and $150,755, respectively, and from steel and
coke producers were $47,015 and $52,538, respectively. Credit is extended based
on an evaluation of the customer's financial condition, and generally
collateral is not required. Credit losses consistently have been minimal.     
   
CONSOL Energy is committed under several long-term contracts to supply coal
that meets certain quality requirements at specified prices. These prices are
generally adjusted based on indices. Quantities sold under some of these
contracts may vary from year to year within certain limits at the option of the
customer.     
   
Sales (including spot sales) to a major customer were $318,899 in 1996,
$357,605 in 1997 and $354,333 in 1998. As of December 31, 1997 and 1998,
accounts receivable from this customer were $31,818 and $32,246, respectively.
       
In 1996, 1997 and 1998, CONSOL Energy had export sales of $473,590, $408,013
and $395,171, respectively. These sales were made principally to Canada and
Western Europe. CONSOL Energy's U.S. operations had export sales of $360,874,
$329,134 and $321,708 in each of these years, respectively.     
   
Note 19--Marketable Securities:     
   
At December 31, 1997, marketable securities were considered available-for-sale
and consisted primarily of financial instruments for which the yield (dividend
or interest) was established periodically through a market auction mechanism.
These investments are readily convertible to cash and are stated at cost plus
accrued interest, which approximates fair value, due to the liquidity provided
by the auction process. At December 31, 1997, these securities generally had no
contractual maturity date but had yield reset periods of less than 30 days.
During the three years ended December 31, 1998, all transactions in the
portfolio were at par resulting in no realized gains or losses from the
contractual yields. The entire portfolio was liquidated in 1998.     
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
   
At December 31, 1998, included in Other Assets, are investments in securities
considered available-for-sale, which were acquired through the purchase of
Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal Company.     
   
The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities:     
 
                                                -------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                 December 31, 1998
                                      ----------------------------------------
                                                                     Estimated
                                               Unrealized Unrealized      Fair
                                          Cost      Gains     Losses     Value
                                      -------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S>                                   <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
U.S. Government and agencies......... $ 46,282   $ 109     $   (550) $ 45,841
Other debt securities................      210     --           --        210
<CAPTION>
                                      -------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S>                                   <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
  Total debt securities..............   46,492     109         (550)   46,051
Cash Equivalents included in non-
 current funding.....................    2,184     --           --      2,184
<CAPTION>
                                      -------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S>                                   <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
                                      $ 48,676   $ 109     $   (550) $ 48,235
<CAPTION>
                                      ======== ========== ========== =========
<S>                                   <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
Schedules of maturities:
  One year or less................... $  6,194                       $  6,122
  One year through five years........   32,565                         32,330
  Five years through ten years.......    7,733                          7,599
<CAPTION>
                                      --------                       ---------
<S>                                   <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
                                      $ 46,492                       $ 46,051
<CAPTION>
                                      ========                       =========
</TABLE>    
   
Proceeds from the sales of securities in this portfolio were $6,209 in 1998.
Gross realized gains and losses on those sales were not significant.     
   
Note 20--Fair Values of Financial Instruments     
 
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of
financial instruments:
   
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet
for cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturity
of these instruments.     
   
Marketable securities: The carrying value of available-for-sale marketable
securities approximates fair value based on impending auction dates and routine
trading at par value for those or similar investments.     
   
Marketable securities included in Other Assets: The fair values for financial
instruments included in Other Assets were estimated based on quoted market
prices for the same or similar issues.     
   
Short-term notes payable: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet for
short-term notes payable approximates its fair value due to the short-term
maturity of these instruments.     
   
Long-term debt: The fair values of long-term debt are estimated using
discounted cash flow analyses, based on CONSOL Energy's current incremental
borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.     
 
The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments are as follows:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                   ------------------------------------------
                                                December 31,
                                   ------------------------------------------
                                          1997                  1998
                                   --------------------  --------------------
                                    Carrying       Fair   Carrying       Fair
                                      Amount      Value     Amount      Value
                                   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
   <S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
   Cash and cash equivalents...... $  18,788  $  18,788  $  31,285  $  31,285
   Marketable securities.......... $ 114,829  $ 114,829  $     --   $     --
   Marketable securities included
    in Other Assets............... $     --   $     --   $  48,235  $  48,235
   Short-term notes payable....... $ (55,051) $ (55,051) $(551,719) $(551,719)
   Long-term debt................. $(397,257) $(420,215) $(406,120) $(427,546)
</TABLE>    
 
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
   
Note 21--Commitments and Contingent Liabilities     
   
CONSOL Energy has various purchase commitments for materials, supplies and
items of permanent investment incidental to the ordinary conduct of business.
Such commitments are not at prices in excess of current market.     
   
CONSOL Energy is subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such
matters as personal injury, damage to property, governmental regulations
including environmental remediation, and other actions, arising out of the
normal course of business. The costs of mine closing and reclamation are
accrued over the productive life of the mine. In addition, CONSOL Energy has
accrued $3,275 in other liabilities for remediation of a waste disposal site.
In the opinion of management, the ultimate liabilities resulting from such
lawsuits and claims will not materially affect CONSOL Energy.     
   
A public utility filed suit against CONSOL Energy alleging breach of a long-
term coal supply contract based upon CONSOL Energy's refusal to agree to price
reductions in the price for coal under the contract's "gross inequities"
clause. Damages claimed, including interest, are approximately $190 million. On
August 31, 1998, CONSOL Energy was awarded a summary judgment dismissing the
claims against it. The public utility has appealed the court's order dismissing
the suit. Management believes that the claims are without merit, and,
accordingly, CONSOL Energy has not accrued any liability associated with the
action.     
   
CONSOL Energy received, from a group of public utilities, two notices of intent
to submit certain price disputes to arbitration pursuant to a 1987 coal sales
contract. The notices claim that the utilities have been overcharged by
approximately $50 million for coal under the price adjustment clause of the
contract. In accordance with contract procedure, CONSOL Energy submitted its
response asserting that the price adjustments were made in conformity with the
contract. The parties have not yet submitted their positions to an arbitrator.
Management believes that the claims are without merit, and, accordingly, CONSOL
Energy has not accrued any liability associated with this proceeding.     
   
A subsidiary has a long-term sales contract to supply coal to a group of public
utilities. This contract was conditioned on the purchase of the subsidiary that
will supply a portion of the contracted coal. By agreement between the parties,
a portion of the amounts payable by the group of public utilities includes debt
service (long-term debt and capital lease obligations) that the company is
obligated to pay for the benefit of the group of public utilities, which has
severally guaranteed to the holders the discharge of the long-term debt and
capital lease obligations. Accordingly, that portion of the contract receivable
has been assigned to reduce the unpaid amounts of long-term debt and capital
lease obligations (which aggregated $53,086 at December 31, 1998), as such
amounts are funded and guaranteed by, and are under the responsibility and
control of, the group of public utilities.     
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
   
Note 22--Industry Segment Information     
   
CONSOL Energy conducts its operations through a coal segment and an industrial
supplies and equipment segment. The principal business of the coal segment is
the mining, preparation and marketing of steam coal, sold primarily to electric
utilities, and metallurgical coal, sold to steel and coke producers. CONSOL
Energy's other segment markets industrial supplies and equipment through
Fairmont Supply Company. Products are sold between segments on a basis
reflecting the market value of the products.     
   
Industry segment results for 1998 are:     
 
                                      -------------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                          Industrial
                                          Supplies &
                                     Coal  Equipment Elimination Consolidated
                               ---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
   <S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Sales--outside............  $2,098,571  $ 92,182   $    --     $2,190,753
   Sales--related companies..      21,678    82,999        --        104,677
   Intersegment transfers....         --     83,818    (83,818)          --
<CAPTION>
                               ---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
   <S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
       Total Sales...........  $2,120,249  $258,999   $(83,818)   $2,295,430
<CAPTION>
                               ========== ========== =========== ============
   <S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Earnings before income
    taxes....................  $  209,804  $  2,678               $  212,482
   Income taxes..............      36,846       999                   37,845
<CAPTION>
                               ---------- ----------             ------------
   <S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Net Income................  $  172,958  $  1,679               $  174,637
<CAPTION>
                               ========== ==========             ============
   <S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Identifiable assets.......  $3,802,961  $ 60,429               $3,863,390
<CAPTION>
                               ========== ==========             ============
   <S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Depreciation, depletion
    and amortization.........  $  237,553  $  1,031               $  238,584
<CAPTION>
                               ========== ==========             ============
   <S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Additions to property,
    plant and equipment......  $  506,554  $  1,020               $  507,574(1)
<CAPTION>
                               ========== ==========             ============
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(1)  Includes $249,767 acquired from Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal Company.
         
Industry segment results for 1997 are:
 
                                      -------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Industrial
                                            Supplies &
                                       Coal  Equipment Elimination Consolidated
                                 ---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Sales--outside..............  $2,029,095  $117,841   $    --     $2,146,936
   Sales--related companies....      39,406    98,855        --        138,261
   Intersegment transfers......         --     77,714    (77,714)          --
<CAPTION>
                                 ---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
     Total Sales...............  $2,068,501  $294,410   $(77,714)   $2,285,197
<CAPTION>
                                 ========== ========== =========== ============
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Earnings before income
    taxes......................  $  232,395  $  1,281               $  233,676
   Income taxes................      49,541       346                   49,887
<CAPTION>
                                 ---------- ----------             ------------
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Net Income..................  $  182,854  $    935               $  183,789
<CAPTION>
                                 ========== ==========             ============
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Identifiable assets.........  $3,480,303  $ 67,708               $3,548,011
<CAPTION>
                                 ========== ==========             ============
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Depreciation, depletion and
    amortization...............  $  232,225  $  1,079               $  233,304
<CAPTION>
                                 ========== ==========             ============
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Additions to property, plant
    and equipment..............  $  201,907  $    526               $  202,433
<CAPTION>
                                 ========== ==========             ============
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
 
                      CONSOL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--(Continued)     
                                
                             December 31, 1998     
                             (Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Industry segment results for 1996 are:
 
                                      -------------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                            Industrial
                                            Supplies &
                                       Coal  Equipment Elimination Consolidated
                                 ---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Sales--outside..............  $2,094,137  $113,433   $     --    $2,207,570
   Sales--related companies....      39,212    89,232         --       128,444
   Intersegment transfers......         --     76,569     (76,569)         --
<CAPTION>
                                 ---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
     Total Sales...............  $2,133,349  $279,234   $ (76,569)  $2,336,014
<CAPTION>
                                 ========== ========== =========== ============
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Earnings before income
    taxes......................  $  185,367  $  3,332               $  188,699
   Income taxes................      34,813     1,157                   35,970
<CAPTION>
                                 ---------- ----------             ------------
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Net Income..................  $  150,554  $  2,175               $  152,729
<CAPTION>
                                 ========== ==========             ============
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Identifiable assets.........  $3,791,145  $ 66,363               $3,857,508
<CAPTION>
                                 ========== ==========             ============
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Depreciation, depletion and
    amortization...............  $  233,934  $  1,225               $  235,159
<CAPTION>
                                 ========== ==========             ============
   <S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
   Additions to property, plant
    and equipment..............  $  171,104  $    975               $  172,079
<CAPTION>
                                 ========== ==========             ============
</TABLE>    
   
Note 23--Stock Split and Recapitalization     
   
On February 26, 1999, the Board of Directors acted to recapitalize CONSOL
Energy with one class of common stock with a par value of $.01 per share and
authorized 500 million shares. Upon the effective date of recapitalization,
57,667,558 shares will be issued in exchange for the shares previously
outstanding to effect an approximate 1,088 for 1 stock split.     
   
The Board of Directors also authorized the issuance of up to 15 million shares
of preferred stock. The Board of Directors is authorized to establish the
prices, rights, preferences, privileges and designations of one or more series
of preferred stock without further stockholder approval. To date, no shares of
preferred stock have been issued, and the Board of Directors does not have any
current plans to issue shares of preferred stock.     
   
Note 24--Supplemental Coal Data (Unaudited)     
 
                                                         ------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                         1996    1997    1998
                                                       ------  ------  ------
                                                        (Millions of Tons)
   <S>                                                 <C>     <C>     <C>
   Proved and probable coal reserves at January 1*....  5,072   5,063   4,776
   Purchased reserves.................................    120      10     148
   Reserves sold in place.............................    (17)    (31)    (29)
   Production.........................................    (72)    (73)    (76)
   Revisions and other changes........................    (40)   (193)    (64)
<CAPTION>
                                                       ------  ------  ------
   <S>                                                 <C>     <C>     <C>
     Proved and Probable Coal Reserves at December
      31*.............................................  5,063   4,776   4,755
<CAPTION>
                                                       ======  ======  ======
</TABLE>    
- --------
*  Proved and probable coal reserves are the equivalent of "demonstrated
   reserves" under the coal resource classification system of the U.S.
   Geological Survey. Generally, these reserves would be commercially minable
   at year-end prices and cost levels, using current technology and mining
   practices.
   
The coal reserves are located in nearly every major coal-producing region in
North America. At December 31, 1998, 852 million tons were assigned to mines
either in production or under development. The proved and probable reserves at
December 31, 1998 include 4,075 million tons of steam coal, of which
approximately 19 percent has a sulfur content equivalent to less than 1.2
pounds sulfur dioxide per million British thermal unit (Btu), and an additional
13 percent has a sulfur content equivalent to between 1.2 and 2.5 pounds sulfur
dioxide per million Btu. The reserves also include 680 million tons of
metallurgical coal, of which approximately 66 percent has a sulfur content
equivalent to less than 1.2 pounds sulfur dioxide per million Btu, and the
remaining 34 percent has a sulfur content equivalent to between 1.2 and 2.5
pounds sulfur dioxide per million Btu. A significant portion of this
metallurgical coal can also serve the steam coal market.     
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
 
                      Graphics on Inside Back Cover Page

The inside back cover page of the prospectus is a gatefold.  The facing page 
contains the following four color photographs which appear from top to bottom:

The shearer of a longwall mining system

CONSOL Energy employees underground with a roof bolter

CONSOL Energy's Jones Fork Complex
a color illustration of underground mining operations.  The gate fold open up to
reveal

The inside back cover page opens to reveal a collage comprised of three rows of 
color photographs that run from left to right as follows:

CONSOL Energy employees at the Shoemaker mine; the cutting head of a continuous 
mining machine; a coal combustion tester; and a loading arm which operates at 
the Baltimore ocean terminal.

CONSOL Energy's Mill Creek Complex; a member of CONSOL Energy's research and 
development staff; CONSOL Energy's Jones Fork Complex; miscellaneous employees 
of CONSOL Energy; CONSOL Energy's accounting department; and loaded barges on 
the Monongahela River.

Clean coal storage silos located at CONSOL Energy's Bailey mine; loaded coal 
barges; and CONSOL Energy's Baltimore ocean terminal.

<PAGE>
 
                                CONSOL ENERGY 
 
 
<PAGE>
 
                                     
                                  Part II     
                     
                  Information Not Required in Prospectus     
 
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
   
The estimated expenses in connection with the offering, all of which will be
borne by CONSOL Energy, are as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
   <S>                                                           <C>
   SEC Registration Fee......................................... $  151,729.62
   Blue Sky Fees and Expenses...................................      5,000.00*
   Printing and Engraving Expenses..............................    300,000.00*
   Legal Fees...................................................    625,000.00*
   Accounting Fees..............................................    550,000.00*
   NYSE Listing Fees............................................    371,276.45
   NASD Filing Fee..............................................     30,500.00
   Directed share program expenses..............................     75,000.00*
   Miscellaneous................................................    141,493.93*
<CAPTION>
                                                                 -------------
   <S>                                                           <C>
     Total...................................................... $2,250,000.00*
<CAPTION>
                                                                 =============
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
*Estimated     
 
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
   
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters     
   
As permitted by applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision eliminating, to
the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as it
exists or may in the future be amended, the liability of a director to CONSOL
Energy and its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty
as a director except for:     
     
  .   any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to CONSOL Energy or its
      stockholders;     
     
  .   acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
      misconduct or a knowing violation of laws;     
     
  .   payment of dividends, stock purchases or redemptions that violate the
      Delaware General Corporation Law; or     
     
  .   any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
      benefit.     
   
CONSOL Energy's By-laws also provide that any present or prior director,
officer, employee or agent of CONSOL Energy shall be indemnified by CONSOL
Energy as of right to the full extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law against any liability, cost or expense asserted against and
incurred by such person by reason of his serving in such capacity. This right
to indemnification includes the right to be paid the expenses incurred in
defending any action, suit or proceeding in advance of its final disposition.
       
RWE A.G. maintains insurance covering certain liabilities incurred by officers
directors of its subsidiaries, including CONSOL Energy and its subsidiaries, in
connection with the performance of their duties.     
   
The Underwriting Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 1 contains provisions by
which the underwriters agree to indemnify CONSOL Energy, each person who
controls CONSOL Energy within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act
or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each director
of CONSOL Energy and each officer of CONSOL Energy who signs the Registration
Statement with respect to information furnished in writing by the Underwriters
for use in the Registration Statement.     
 
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
   
CONSOL Energy has not issued securities during the prior three years.     
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
 
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
 
(a) Exhibits
 
<TABLE>   
 <C>   <S>
  1    --Form of Underwriting Agreement between CONSOL Energy, J.P. Morgan &
        Co. Incorporated and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
        as Representatives of the several Underwriters.
  3.1  --Certificate of Incorporation of CONSOL Energy.
  3.2  --By-Laws of CONSOL Energy.
  4.1  --Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
  5    --Opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP regarding legality.
 10.1  --Senior Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of December 23, 1993, between
        Consolidation Coal Company and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
        York for a maximum principal amount at any one time outstanding not to
        exceed $25,000,000+
 10.2  --First Amendment to Senior Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of
        November , 1994, between Consolidation Coal Company and Morgan Guaranty
        Trust Company of New York+
 10.3  --Second Amendment to Senior Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of
        October 1, 1995, between Consolidation Coal Company and Morgan Guaranty
        Trust Company of New York+
 10.4  --Third Amendment to Senior Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of
        December 14, 1995, between Consolidation Coal Company and Morgan
        Guaranty Trust Company of New York+
 10.5  --Fourth Amendment to Senior Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of March
        1, 1996, between Consolidation Coal Company and Morgan Guaranty Trust
        Company of New York+
 10.6  --Fifth Amendment to Senior Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of
        December 2, 1997, between Consolidation Coal Company and Morgan
        Guaranty Trust Company of New York+
 10.7  --Sixth Amendment to Senior Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of October
        29, 1998, between Consolidation Coal Company and Morgan Guaranty Trust
        Company of New York+
 10.8  --Seventh Amendment to Senior Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of
        January 19, 1999, between Consolidation Coal Company and Morgan
        Guaranty Trust Company of New York+
 10.9  --Senior Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1998, between
        Consolidation Coal Company and First National Bank of Chicago for a
        maximum principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed
        $100,000,000+
 10.10 --Note issued by Consolidation Coal Company in the aggregate principal
        amount of $100,000,000+
 10.11 --Parent Guaranty, dated November 13, 1998, from CONSOL Energy Inc. and
        CONSOL Energy Inc. to First National Bank of Chicago+
 10.12 --Significant Subsidiary Guaranty, dated November 13, 1998, to First
        National Bank of Chicago+
 10.13 --Subordination Agreement, dated November 13, 1998, among CONSOL Energy
        Inc, and certain subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy Inc. for the benefit of
        the First National Bank of Chicago+
 10.14 --Share Purchase Agreement, dated September 14, 1998, among E.I. DuPont
        De Nemours and Company, DuPont Energy Company, Rheinbraun A.G. and
        CONSOL Energy Inc.+
 10.15 --Amendatory Amendment No. 3, dated October 1, 1997, to the Shareholders
        Agreement, dated December 6, 1991, as amended+
 10.16 --Amendatory Amendment No. 4, dated September 14, 1998, to the
        Shareholders Agreement, dated December 6, 1991, as amended+
 10.17 --Consulting Agreement dated as of February 1, 1999, between CONSOL
        Energy Inc. and B.R. Brown+
 10.18 --Employment Agreement dated December 11, 1997, between CONSOL Energy
        Inc. and J. Brett Harvey+
 10.19 --Agreement, dated February 22, 1999, between CONSOL Energy Inc. and
        John L. Whitmire.
 10.20 --CONSOL Energy Inc. Equity Incentive Plan.
 11    --Statement regarding computation of per share earnings.
 21    --Subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy.
 23.1  --Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
 23.2  --Consent of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5
        above).
 24.1  --Power of Attorney.+
 24.2  --Power of Attorney of John L. Whitmire.
 27    --Financial data schedule.
</TABLE>    
 
(b) Schedules
   
No schedules are required to be presented by CONSOL Energy pursuant to
Regulation S-X in connection with the filing of this Registration Statement.
    
       
+  Filed previously.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
 
Item 17. Undertakings.
 
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter
at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
  (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
  1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
  this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
  form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
  (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
  registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
  (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
  of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
  shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
  securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
  time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                   
                                Signatures     
   
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant has duly caused this Amended Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania on March 23, 1999.     
 
                                          CONSOL ENERGY INC.
                                                    
                                                  /s/ J. Brett Harvey     
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                      J. Brett Harvey,
                                               President and Chief Executive
                                                          Officer
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
              Signature                          Title                   Date
              ---------                          -----                   ----
 
<S>                                    <C>                        <C>
         /s/ J. Brett Harvey           President and Chief          March 23, 1999
______________________________________  Executive Officer and
           J. Brett Harvey              Director (Principal
                                        Executive Officer)
 
                *                      Vice President and           March 23, 1999
______________________________________  Treasurer (Principal
          Michael F. Nemser             Financial Officer)
 
                *                      Vice President and           March 23, 1999
______________________________________  Controller (Principal
           William J. Lyons             Accounting Officer)
 
                *                      Director                     March 23, 1999
______________________________________
          Dr. Dieter Henning
 
                *                      Chairman of the Board of     March 23, 1999
______________________________________  Directors
           John L. Whitmire
 
                *                      Director                     March 23, 1999
______________________________________
             B. R. Brown
 
                *                      Director                     March 23, 1999
______________________________________
          Berthold Bonekamp
 
                *                      Director                     March 23, 1999
______________________________________
           Bernd J. Breloer
 
                *                      Director                     March 23, 1999
______________________________________
         Dr. Rolf Zimmermann
 
         /s/ Daniel L. Fassio                                       March 23, 1999
*By: _________________________________
          Daniel L. Fassio,
         As Attorney-In-Fact
</TABLE>    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
 
                                
                             Index to Exhibits     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 Exhibit
 Number                             Document                              Page
 -------                            --------                              ----
 <C>     <S>                                                              <C>
  1      --Form of Underwriting Agreement between CONSOL Energy, J.P.
          Morgan & Co. Incorporated and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
          Smith Incorporated as Representatives of the several
          Underwriters.
  3.1    --Certificate of Incorporation of CONSOL Energy.
  3.2    --By-Laws of CONSOL Energy.
  4.1    --Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
  5      --Opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP regarding legality.
 10.19   --Agreement, dated February 22, 1999, between CONSOL Energy
          Inc. and John L. Whitmire.
 10.20   --CONSOL Energy Inc. Equity Incentive Plan.
 11      --Statement regarding computation of per share earnings.
 21      --Subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy.
 23.1    --Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
 24.2    --Power of Attorney of John L. Whitmire.
 27      --Financial data schedule.
</TABLE>    

<PAGE>
 
                               CONSOL ENERGY INC.


                       22,600,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK


                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT



____________, 1999
<PAGE>
 
                                        ________________, 1999



J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
  Smith Incorporated,
     As representatives (the
     "Representatives") of the several
     Underwriters listed in Schedule I
     hereto
c/o  J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
   60 Wall Street
   New York, New York  10260

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes to
issue and sell to the several Underwriters listed in Schedule I hereto (the
"Underwriters"), an aggregate of 22,600,000 shares (the "Underwritten Shares")
and, at the election of the Underwriters, up to 3,390,000 additional shares (the
"Option Shares") of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"),
of the Company.  The Underwritten Shares and the Option Shares are herein
referred to as the "Shares".

     The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") in accordance with the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder (collectively, the "Securities Act"), a registration
statement, including a prospectus, relating to the Shares.  The registration
statement as amended at the time when it shall become effective, including
information (if any) deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time
of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act, is referred to
in this Agreement as the "Registration Statement", and the prospectus in the
form first used to confirm sales of Shares is referred to in this Agreement as
the "Prospectus".  If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration
statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the "Rule 462
Registration Statement"), then any reference herein to the term "Registration
Statement" shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
 
     The Company and the Underwriters have agreed that up to ______ Underwritten
Shares (the "Reserved Shares") shall be reserved for sale by the Underwriters to
certain eligible directors, officers, employees and retirees of the Company, as
part of the distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters, subject to the terms
of this Agreement, the applicable rules, regulations and interpretations of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and all other
applicable laws, rules and regulations.  To the extent that such Reserved Shares
are not orally confirmed for purchase by such eligible persons by the end of the
first business day after the date of this Agreement, such Reserved Shares may be
offered to the public as part of the public offering contemplated hereby.

     The Company hereby agrees with the Underwriters as follows:

     1.   The Company agrees to sell the Underwritten Shares to the several
Underwriters as hereinafter provided, and each Underwriter, upon the basis of
the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the
conditions hereinafter stated, agrees to purchase, severally and not jointly,
from the Company at a purchase price per share of $______ (the "Purchase Price")
the number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite such Underwriter's name on
Schedule I hereto.

     In addition, the Company agrees to sell the Option Shares to the several
Underwriters and the Underwriters shall have the option to purchase at their
election up to 3,390,000 Option Shares for the sole purpose of covering over-
allotments in the sale of the Underwritten Shares. Each Underwriter, on the
basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the
conditions hereinafter stated, shall have the option to purchase, severally and
not jointly, from the Company at the Purchase Price that portion of the number
of Option Shares as to which such election shall have been exercised (to be
adjusted by you so as to eliminate fractional shares) determined by multiplying
such number of Option Shares by a fraction the numerator of which is the number
of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite such Underwriter's name on Schedule I
hereto and the denominator of which is the total number of Underwritten Shares
set forth in Schedule I hereto, for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments
(if any) in the sale of the Underwritten Shares by the several Underwriters.

     The Underwriters may exercise the option to purchase the Option Shares at
any time (but not more than once) on or before the thirtieth day following the
date of this Agreement, by written notice to the Company from J.P. Morgan
Securities Inc. on behalf of the several Underwriters.  Such notice shall set
forth the aggregate number of Option Shares as to which the option is being
exercised and the date and time when the Option Shares are to be delivered and
paid for which may be the same date and time as the Closing Date (as hereinafter
defined) but shall not be earlier than the Closing Date nor later than the tenth
full Business

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Day (as hereinafter defined) after the date of such notice (unless such time and
date are postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 hereof). Any
such notice shall be given at least two Business Days prior to the date and time
of delivery specified therein.

     2.   The Company understands that the Underwriters intend (i) to make a
public offering of the Shares as soon after (A) the Registration Statement has
become effective and (B) the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement, as in the judgment of the Representatives is advisable and (ii)
initially to offer the Shares upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus.

     3.   Payment for the Shares shall be made by wire transfer in immediately
available funds to the account specified to the Representatives by the Company,
in the case of the Underwritten Shares, on ___________, 1999, or at such other
time on the same or such other date, not later than the fifth Business Day
thereafter, as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing or,
in the case of the Option Shares, on the date and time specified by the
Representatives in the written notice of the Underwriters' election to purchase
such Option Shares.  The time and date of such payment for the Underwritten
Shares is referred to herein as the "Closing Date" and the time and date for
such payment for the Option Shares, if other than the Closing Date, is herein
referred to as the "Additional Closing Date".  As used herein, the term
"Business Day" means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or
required to be closed in New York City.

     Payment for the Shares to be purchased on the Closing Date or the
Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall be made against delivery to
the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters of
the Shares to be purchased on such date registered in such names and in such
denominations as the Representatives shall request in writing not later than two
full Business Days prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as
the case may be, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the transfer
to the Underwriters of the Shares duly paid by the Company.  The certificates
for the Shares will be made available for inspection and packaging by the
Representatives at the office of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. set forth above not
later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Business Day prior to the
Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

     4.   (a) The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter that:

     (i)  no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary
prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and the preliminary prospectus
dated ___________ , 1999, and each preliminary prospectus filed pursuant to Rule
424 under the Securities Act, complied when so

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
filed in all material respects with the Securities Act, and did not contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that this
representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter
furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use therein;

     (ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been instituted
or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission; and the
Registration Statement and Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company
shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) comply, or will
comply, as the case may be, in all material respects with the Securities Act and
do not and will not, as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration
Statement and any amendment thereto and as of the date of the Prospectus and any
amendment or supplement thereto, contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, and the Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented, if applicable, at the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as
the case may be, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the
Prospectus, as amended or supplemented (including any prospectus wrapper), if
applicable, and any preliminary prospectus, at their respective times of
issuance and at the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be,
complied and will comply in all material respects with any applicable laws or
regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented (including any prospectus wrapper), if applicable, and any
preliminary prospectus are distributed in connection with the offer and sale of
any Reserved Shares; except that the foregoing representations and warranties
shall not apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to
any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through
the Representatives expressly for use therein;

     (iii) the financial statements, and the related notes thereto, included in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly in all material
respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated
subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
their operations and changes in their consolidated cash flows for the periods
specified; and said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, and the
supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement present
fairly in all material respects the information required to be stated therein;

     (iv) there has not been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any material adverse change in or
affecting the business, prospects, condition (financial or other), stockholders'
equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole (a "Material Adverse Change"), from that set forth or contemplated in the
Prospectus (as it stood at the time of execution and delivery of this
Agreement); and except as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus (as it
stood at the time of execution and delivery of this Agreement) neither the
Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered into any transaction or
agreement (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) material to the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;

     (v)  the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its
properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus, and has been
duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is
in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or
leases properties, or conducts any business, so as to require such
qualification, other than where the failure to be so qualified or in good
standing would not have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects,
condition (financial or other), stockholders' equity or results of operations of
the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a "Material Adverse
Effect");

     (vi) each of the Company's subsidiaries has been duly incorporated and is
validly existing as a corporation under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its
properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus, and has been
duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is
in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it owns or leases
properties, or conducts any business, so as to require such qualification, other
than where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not have a
Material Adverse Effect; and all the outstanding shares of capital stock of each
subsidiary of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are
fully-paid

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
and non-assessable, and (except, in the case of foreign subsidiaries, for
directors' qualifying shares and except as otherwise set forth in the
Prospectus) are owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear of
all liens, encumbrances, security interests and claims;

     (vii) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Company;

     (viii) the Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the
Prospectus and such authorized capital stock conforms in all material respects
as to legal matters to the description thereof set forth in the Prospectus, and
all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly
authorized and validly issued, are fully-paid and non-assessable and are not
subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights; and, except as described in or
expressly contemplated by the Prospectus, there are no outstanding rights
(including, without limitation, pre-emptive rights), warrants or options to
acquire, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of
capital stock or other equity interest in the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding or
arrangement of any kind relating to the issuance of any capital stock of the
Company or any such subsidiary, any such convertible or exchangeable securities
or any such rights, warrants or options;

     (ix) the Shares have been duly authorized, and, when issued and delivered
to and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, will be duly issued and will be fully paid and non-assessable and
will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the
Prospectus; and the issuance of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive or
similar rights;

     (x)  neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, or with the giving
of notice or lapse of time or both would be, in violation of or in default
under, its Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws or any indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them or
any of their respective properties is bound, except for violations and defaults
which individually and in the aggregate are not material to the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole; the issue and sale of the Shares to be sold by
the Company hereunder and the performance by the Company of its obligations
under this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
herein will not conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, loan agreement or

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which
any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
subject, nor will any such action result in any violation of the provisions of
the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Company or any applicable
law or statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental
agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company, its subsidiaries or any of
their respective properties; and no consent, approval, authorization, order,
license, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental
agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares to be sold by
the Company hereunder or the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, except such consents, approvals, authorizations,
orders, licenses, registrations or qualifications as have been obtained under
the Securities Act, such as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky
Laws and such as have been obtained under the laws and regulations of
jurisdictions outside the United States in which the Reserved Shares are
offered. However, no representation or warranty is made with respect to any
consent or approval required to be obtained by the Underwriters from the NASD in
connection with the offer and sale of the Shares.

     (xi) other than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, there are
no legal or governmental investigations, actions, suits or proceedings pending
or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or to which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be a party or to which any property
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be the subject which, if
determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, could
individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Change, and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings
are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by
others; and there are no statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents
that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or
to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or
filed as required;

     (xii) the Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in
fee simple to all items of real property and good and marketable title to all
personal property owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances and defects except such as are described or referred to in the
Prospectus (if required to be so described pursuant to the Securities Act) or
such as do not materially affect the value of such

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
property and do not interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such
property by the Company and its subsidiaries; and any real property and
buildings held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by them
under valid, existing and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not
material and do not interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such
property and buildings by the Company or its subsidiaries;

     (xiii) no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the
Company or any or its subsidiaries on the one hand, and the directors, officers,
stockholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
on the other hand, which is required by the Securities Act to be described in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus which is not so described;

     (xiv) no person has the right to require the Company to register any
securities for offering and sale under the Securities Act by reason of the
filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission or the issue and sale
of the Shares to be sold by the Company hereunder;

     (xv) the Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale
of the Shares, will not be an "investment company", as such term is defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act");

     (xvi) the Company has complied with all provisions of Section 517.075,
Florida Statutes (Chapter 92-198, Laws of Florida) relating to doing business
with the Government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba;

     (xvii) Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain financial statements
of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public accountants as
required by the Securities Act;

     (xviii) the Company and its subsidiaries have filed all federal, state,
local and foreign tax returns which have been required to be filed and have paid
all taxes shown thereon and all assessments received by them or any of them to
the extent that such taxes have become due and are not being contested in good
faith, except where the failure to file such returns or pay such taxes would not
have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (xix) the Company has not taken nor will it take, directly or indirectly,
any action designed to, or that might be reasonably expected to,

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Common
Stock of the Company;

     (xx) each of the Company and its subsidiaries owns, possesses or has
obtained all licenses, permits, certificates, consents, orders, approvals and
other authorizations from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all
federal, state, local and other governmental authorities (including foreign
regulatory agencies), all self-regulatory organizations and all courts and other
tribunals, domestic or foreign, necessary to own or lease, as the case may be,
and to operate its properties and to carry on its business as conducted as of
the date hereof, except such as would not result in a Material Adverse Change,
and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has received any actual notice
of any proceeding relating to revocation or modification of any such license,
permit, certificate, consent, order, approval or other authorization which, if
determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries could result in a
Material Adverse Change; and each of the Company and its subsidiaries is in
compliance with all laws and regulations relating to the conduct of its business
as conducted as of the date hereof, except where the failure to so comply would
not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change;

     (xxi) there are no existing or, to the best knowledge of the Company,
threatened labor disputes with the employees of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries which are likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (xxii) the Company and its subsidiaries (A) are in compliance with any and
all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating
to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or
toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants ("Environmental Laws"),
(B) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them
under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and
(C) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license
or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to
receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with
the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not,
singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, and except as set
forth or contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; and

     (xxiii) in the ordinary course of its business, the Company conducts a
periodic review of the effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations
and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, in the

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
course of which it identifies and evaluates associated costs and liabilities
(including (1) any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up,
closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit,
license or approval, (2) any related constraints on operating activities and (3)
any potential liabilities to third parties). On the basis of such review, the
Company has reasonably concluded that such associated costs and liabilities
would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, except as
set forth or contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

5.   (a) The Company covenants and agrees with each of the several Underwriters
as follows:

     (i)  to use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become
effective at the earliest possible time and, if required, to file the final
Prospectus with the Commission within the time periods specified by Rule 424(b)
and Rule 430A under the Securities Act, and to furnish copies of the Prospectus
to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on
the Business Day next succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities
as the Representatives may reasonably request;

     (ii)  to deliver, at the expense of the Company, to the Representatives two
signed copies of the Registration Statement (as originally filed) and each
amendment thereto, in each case including exhibits, and to each other
Underwriter a conformed copy of the Registration Statement (as originally filed)
and each amendment thereto, in each case without exhibits and, during the period
mentioned in Section 5 below, to each of the Underwriters as many copies of the
Prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto) as the
Representatives may reasonably request;

     (iii)  before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus, whether before or after the time the Registration
Statement becomes effective, to furnish to the Representatives a copy of the
proposed amendment or supplement for review and not to file any such proposed
amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object;

     (iv)  to advise the Representatives promptly, and to confirm such advice in
writing (A) when the Registration Statement has become effective, (B) when any
amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective, (C)
when any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed
and to furnish the Representatives

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
with copies thereof, (D) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to
the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or
for any additional information, (E) of the issuance by the Commission of any
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any
order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose,
(F) of the occurrence of any event, within the period referenced in Section 5
below, as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would
include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading,
and (G) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to any
suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale in any
jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose; and to use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop
order, or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus, or of any order suspending any such qualification
of the Shares, or notification of any such order thereof and, if issued, to
obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof;

     (v)  if, during such period of time after the first date of the public
offering of the Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a
prospectus relating to the Shares is required by law to be delivered in
connection with sales by the Underwriters or any dealer, any event shall occur
as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus
(including any prospectus wrapper) in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not
misleading, or if it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus
(including any prospectus wrapper) to comply with law, forthwith to prepare and
furnish, at the expense of the Company, to the Underwriters and to the dealers
(whose names and addresses the Representatives will furnish to the Company) to
which Shares may have been sold by the Representatives on behalf of the
Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, such amendments or
supplements to the Prospectus as may be necessary so that the statements in the
Prospectus (including any prospectus wrapper) as so amended or supplemented will
not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a
purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law;

     (vi)  to endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives shall
reasonably request and to continue such qualification in effect so

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
long as reasonably required for distribution of the Shares; provided that the
Company shall not be required to (x) file a general consent to service of
process, (y) subject itself to taxation or (z) qualify as a foreign corporation
in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise required to do so;

     (vii)  to make generally available to its security holders and to the
Representatives as soon as practicable an earnings statement covering a period
of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company
occurring after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which shall
satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of
the Commission promulgated thereunder;

     (viii) for a period of two years, to furnish to the Representatives copies
of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to holders
of the Shares, and copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to
or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange;

     (ix) for a period of 180 days after the date of the initial public offering
of the Shares not to (A) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell,
contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option
or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise
transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or
any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock
or (B) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in
part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether
any such transaction described in clause (A) or (B) above is to be settled by
delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, without
the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., other than (w) the
Shares to be sold by the Company hereunder, (x) the grant of options under
existing employee stock option plans, (y) any shares of Common Stock issued upon
the exercise of options granted under existing employee stock option plans and
(z) shares of Common Stock issued as consideration for the acquisition of any
business or assets;

     (x)  to use the net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the
Shares pursuant to this Agreement in the manner specified in the Prospectus
under the caption "Use of Proceeds";

     (xi) to use its best efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, the
Shares on the New York Stock Exchange;

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     (xii)  whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are
consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid all
costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder,
including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all costs and
expenses (A) incident to the preparation, registration, transfer, execution and
delivery of the Shares, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon,
(B) incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any preliminary prospectus
(including in each case all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto), (C)
incurred in connection with the registration or qualification of the Shares
under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate
(including fees of counsel for the Underwriters and their disbursements), (D) in
connection with the listing of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange, (E)
related to the filing with, and clearance of the offering by, the NASD
(including fees of counsel for the Underwriters and their disbursements), (F) in
connection with the printing (including word processing and duplication costs)
and delivery of this Agreement, the Preliminary and Supplemental Blue Sky
Memoranda and the furnishing to the Underwriters and dealers of copies of the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, including mailing and shipping, as
herein provided, (G) any expenses incurred by the Company in connection with a
"road show" presentation to potential investors, (H) the cost of preparing stock
certificates,  (I) the cost and charges of any transfer agent and any registrar
and (J) all costs and expenses of the Underwriters, including the fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters and all stamp duties, similar
taxes or duties or other taxes, if any, in connection with matters related to
the Reserved Shares which are designated by the Company for sale to certain
directors, officers, employees and retirees of the Company.  It is understood,
however, that except as provided in this Section, Section 7 and Section 10, the
Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of
their counsel, road show expenses and any advertising expenses connected with
any offers they make; and

      (xiii)  to the extent required by the rules of the NASD, to ensure that
the Reserved Shares will be restricted as required by the NASD or the NASD rules
from sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation for a period of three
months following the date of this Agreement. The Underwriters will notify the
Company as to which purchasers of Reserved Shares will need to be so restricted.
At the request of the Underwriters, the Company will direct the transfer agent
to place a stop transfer restriction upon such Reserved Shares for such period
of time. Should the Company release, or seek to release, from such restrictions
any of the Reserved Shares, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
any reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, legal expenses) they
incur in connection with such release.

       6.   The several obligations of the Underwriters hereunder to purchase
the Shares on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may
be, are subject to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder
and to the following additional conditions:

       (a)  the Registration Statement shall have become effective (or if a
post-effective amendment is required to be filed under the Securities Act, such
post-effective amendment shall have become effective) not later than 5:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the date hereof; and no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
shall be in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before
or threatened by the Commission; the Prospectus shall have been filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed
for such filing by the rules and regulations under the Securities Act and in
accordance with Section 5 hereof; and all requests for additional information
shall have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Representatives;

       (b)  the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein
are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing
Date, as the case may be, as if made on and as of the Closing Date or the
Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and the Company shall have complied
in all material respects with all agreements and all conditions on its part to
be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date or the
Additional Closing Date, as the case may be;

       (c)  subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior
to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, there
shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of
(i) any downgrading, (ii any intended or potential downgrading or (ii any review
or possible change that does not indicate an improvement, in the rating accorded
any securities of or guaranteed by the Company by any "nationally recognized
statistical rating organization", as such term is defined for purposes of Rule
436(g)(2) under the Securities Act;

       (d)  there shall not have been any change in the capital stock or long-
term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any Material Adverse
Change from that set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus (as it stood at the
time of execution and delivery of this Agreement), the effect of which in the
judgment of the Representatives makes it impracticable or

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares on
the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the
terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus (as it stood at the time
of execution and delivery of this Agreement);

       (e)  the Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing
Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate of an
executive officer of the Company, with specific knowledge about the Company's
financial matters, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives to the
effect set forth in Sections 6, 6 and 6 and to the further effect that there has
not occurred any Material Adverse Change from that set forth or contemplated in
the Prospectus (as it stood at the time of execution and delivery of this
Agreement);

       (f)  Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, outside counsel for the Company, shall
have furnished to the Representatives their written opinion, dated the Closing
Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that:

       (i)  the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation, with corporate power and authority to own its properties and
conduct its business as described in the Prospectus;

       (ii)  this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Company;

       (iii)   the authorized capital stock of the Company conforms in all
material respects as to legal matters to the description thereof contained in
the Prospectus;

       (iv)  the shares of capital stock of the Company outstanding prior to the
issuance of the Shares to be sold hereunder have been duly authorized and are
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;

       (v)  the Shares to be issued and sold hereunder have been duly
authorized, and when delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-
assessable and the issuance of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive or,
to such counsel's knowledge, similar rights;

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
       (vi)  the statements in the Prospectus under "Certain Relationships and
Related Party Transactions", "Certain Tax Considerations" and "Description of
Capital Stock", and in the Registration Statement in Items 14 and 15, insofar as
such statements constitute a summary of the terms of the Common Stock, legal
matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly present in all
material respects the information required pursuant to the rules and regulations
(the "Rules and Regulations") under the Securities Act to be disclosed with
respect to such terms, legal matters, documents or proceedings; and such counsel
does not know of any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that
are required pursuant to the Rules and Regulations to be described in the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required;

       (vii)  such counsel is of the opinion that the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus and any amendments and supplements thereto (other than the
financial statements and related schedules and other financial and statistical
data therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to
form in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, and
nothing has come to such counsel's attention that would cause such counsel to
believe that (other than the financial statements and related schedules and
other financial and statistical data therein, as to which such counsel need
express no belief) the Registration Statement or the prospectus included
therein at the time the Registration Statement became effective contained any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
or that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, contains any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading;

       (viii)  the issue and sale of the Shares being delivered on the Closing
Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and the performance by
the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein will not result in any violation of the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Company or
any U.S. or New York law or statute or the Delaware General

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Corporation Law (the "GCL") or, to such counsel's knowledge, any rule or
regulation of any U.S. or New York court or governmental agency or body having
jurisdiction over the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties or of any Delaware court, governmental agency or body with respect to
the GCL;

       (ix)  no consent, approval, authorization, order, license, registration
or qualification of or with any court or governmental agency or body is required
for the issuance by the Company of the Shares to be sold by it hereunder or the
consummation by the Company of the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, except such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, licenses,
registrations or qualifications as have been obtained under the Securities Act
and as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws (as to which such
counsel need not express any opinion) in connection with the purchase and
distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters; and

       (x)  the Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale
of the Shares, will not be an "investment company", as such term is defined in
the Investment Company Act.

       (g)  Daniel L. Fassio, Esq., general counsel for the Company, shall have
furnished to the Representatives his written opinion, dated the Closing Date or
the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that:

       (i)  the Company has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the
transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other
jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties, or conducts any business, so
as to require such qualification, other than where the failure to be so
qualified or in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

       (ii)  each of the Company's significant subsidiaries (as defined in Rule
1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) has been duly incorporated
and is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its
properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and has been
duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is
in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or
leases properties, or conducts any

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
business, so as to require such qualification, other than where the failure to
be so qualified and in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
and all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary have
been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable,
and (except, in the case of foreign subsidiaries, for directors' qualifying
shares and except as otherwise set forth in the Prospectus) are owned directly
or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
equities or claims;

       (iii)  other than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, to such
counsel's knowledge, there are no legal or governmental investigations, actions,
suits or proceedings pending or threatened in writing against the Company or any
of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or to which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be a party or to which any property
of the Company or its subsidiaries is or may be the subject which, if determined
adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, could individually or in
the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

       (iv)  the statements in the Prospectus under "Regulation", insofar as
such statements constitute a summary of the legal matters, documents or
proceedings referred to therein, fairly present in all material respects the
information called for with respect to such legal matters, documents or
proceedings; and such counsel does not know of any statutes, regulations,
contracts or other documents that are required pursuant to the Rules and
Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or to be
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed
as required;

       (v)  nothing has come to such counsel's attention that would cause such
counsel to believe that (other than the financial statements and related
schedules and other financial and statistical data therein, as to which such
counsel need express no belief) the Registration Statement or the prospectus
included therein at the time the Registration Statement became effective
contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, or that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if
applicable, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

        (vi)  the issue and sale of the Shares being delivered on the Closing
Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and the performance by
the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein will not conflict with or result in a breach of
any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument known
to such counsel to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the
property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, nor
will any such action result in any violation of the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Company or any applicable law
or statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency
or body having jurisdiction over the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties; and

       (vii)  to such counsel's knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has received any notice in writing of any proceeding relating to
the revocation or modification of any license, permit, certificate, consent,
order, approval or other authorization from any federal, state, local or other
governmental authority (including foreign regulatory agencies), any self-
regulatory organization, any court or other tribunal, domestic or foreign,
which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries could
result in a Material Adverse Change.

     In rendering such opinions, Thelen Reid & Priest LLP and Mr. Fassio may
rely (A) as to matters involving the application of laws other than the laws of
the United States, the State of New York (with respect to Thelen Reid & Priest
LLP), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (with respect to Mr. Fassio) and the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, to the extent such counsel
deems proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an
opinion or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Underwriters' counsel) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the
Underwriters' counsel, familiar with the applicable laws and (B) as to matters
of fact, to the extent such counsel deems proper, on certificates of responsible
officers of the Company and certificates or other written statements of
officials of jurisdictions having custody of documents respecting the corporate
existence or good standing of the Company.  The opinions of such counsel for the
Company shall state that the opinion of any such other counsel upon which they
(or he) relied is in form satisfactory to such

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
counsel and, in such counsel's opinion, the Underwriters and they (or he) are
justified in relying thereon. With respect to the matters to be covered in
Section 6(f)(vii) and Section 6(g)(v) above counsel may state their opinion and
their (or his) belief are based upon their (or his) participation in the
preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment
or supplement thereto and review and discussion of the contents thereof but is
without independent check or verification except as specified.

     The opinions of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP and Mr. Fassio described above
shall be rendered to the Underwriters at the request of the Company and shall so
state therein.

       (h)  on the effective date of the Registration Statement and the
effective date of the most recently filed post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement and also on the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date,
as the case may be, Ernst & Young LLP shall have furnished to you letters, dated
the respective dates of delivery thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to
you, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in
accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the financial
statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, and in accountants' review reports to underwriters
pursuant to Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements 8 with respect to
the section of the Prospectus captioned "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations";

       (i)  the Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing
Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion of Davis Polk &
Wardwell, counsel to the Underwriters, with respect to the due authorization and
valid issuance of the Shares, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and
other related matters as the Representatives may reasonably request, and such
counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably
request to enable them to pass upon such matters;

       (j)  the Shares shall have been approved for listing on the New York
Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance;

       (k)  on or prior to the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the
case may be, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such
further certificates and documents as the Representatives shall reasonably
request;

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
       (l)  The "lock-up" agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit
A hereto, between you, Rheinbraun U.S. GmbH, Rheinbraun A.G. and DuPont Energy
Company (which collectively own 100% of the Common Stock immediately prior to
the transactions contemplated hereby) and certain officers and directors of the
Company relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Common
Stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before the date
hereof, shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date or Additional
Closing Date, as the case may be.

       7.   The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter
and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of
either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, the
legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or
proceeding or any claim asserted) caused by any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished
any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or caused
by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any
untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter
furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the foregoing
indemnity agreement with respect to any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus
shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the person asserting
any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased Shares, or any person
controlling such Underwriter, if a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or
supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements
thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter to such
person, if required by law so to have been delivered, at or prior to the written
confirmation of the sale of the Shares to such person, and if the Prospectus (as
so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving rise to such
loss, claim, damage or liability.

     The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each
person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without
limitation, the legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any
suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted) arising out of (i) the
violation of any

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where any Reserved
Shares have been offered and (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact included in the supplement or prospectus wrapper
material distributed in foreign jurisdictions in connection with the reservation
and sale of the Reserved Shares or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of
a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, when considered in
conjunction with the Prospectus or preliminary prospectus, not misleading,
except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any
untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter
furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use therein.

     In connection with the offer and sale of the Reserved Shares, the Company
agrees, promptly upon a request in writing, to indemnify and hold harmless the
Underwriters from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and
liabilities incurred by them as a result of the failure of eligible persons to
pay for and accept delivery of Reserved Shares which, by the end of the first
business day following the date of this Agreement, were subject to a properly
confirmed agreement to purchase.

     Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration
Statement and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section
15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent
as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with
reference to information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company
in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement
thereto, or any preliminary prospectus.

     If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory
investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person
in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to the preceding paragraphs
of this Section 7, such person (the "Indemnified Person") shall promptly notify
the person or persons against whom such indemnity may be sought (each an
"Indemnifying Person") in writing, and such Indemnifying Persons, upon request
of the Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others the
Indemnifying Persons may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and
expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any
Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person
and not the Indemnifying Persons unless (i) the Indemnifying Persons and the

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary, (ii) the
Indemnifying Persons has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person or (iii) the named parties in
any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both an
Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both
parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between them. It is understood that no Indemnifying Person
shall, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same
jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm
(in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all
such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred.  Any such
separate firm for the Underwriters and such control persons of Underwriters
shall be designated in writing by J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and any such
separate firm for the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the
Registration Statement and such control persons of the Company shall be
designated in writing by the Company.  No Indemnifying Person shall be liable
for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but
if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff,
each Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify any Indemnified Person from and
against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person
shall have requested an Indemnifying Person to reimburse the Indemnified Person
for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third
sentences of this paragraph, such Indemnifying Person agrees that it shall be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent
if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such
Indemnifying Person of the aforesaid request and (ii) such Indemnifying Person
shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request
prior to the date of such settlement.  No Indemnifying Person shall, without the
prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any
pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is
or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by
such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement includes an unconditional
release of such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims that are the
subject matter of such proceeding.

     If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable to an
Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person, in lieu of
indemnifying such Indemnified Person, shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the
other hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by
clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also
the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the
other hand in connection with the statements or omissions or in connection with
any violation of any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions
where Reserved Shares have been offered referred to in this Section 7, which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company
on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be deemed to be in
the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering (before
deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discounts
and the commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in
the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering
price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters, and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement, omission or violation of any applicable laws or regulations of
foreign jurisdictions where Reserved Shares have been offered referred to in
this Section 7.

     The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purposes) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The
amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses,
claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth
above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall an
Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to
the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that
such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission of the nature referred
to in this Section 7. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations to contribute pursuant to this
Section 7 are several in proportion to the respective number of Shares set forth
opposite their names in Schedule I hereto, and not joint.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
     The remedies provided for in this Section 7 are not exclusive and shall not
limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified
party at law or in equity.

     The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7 and
the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any
termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of
any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter or by or on behalf of
the Company, its officers or directors or any other person controlling the
Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.

       8.   Notwithstanding anything herein contained, this Agreement (or the
obligations of the several Underwriters with respect to the Option Shares) may
be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice given
to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior
to the Closing Date (or, in the case of the Option Shares, prior to the
Additional Closing Date) (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or
materially limited on or by, as the case may be, any of the New York Stock
Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the NASD, (ii) trading of any
securities of or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended on any
exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium on
commercial banking activities in New York shall have been declared by either
Federal or New York State authorities, or (iv) there shall have occurred any
outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any
calamity or crisis that, in the judgment of the Represen  tatives, is material
and adverse and which, in the judgment of the Representatives, makes it
impracticable to market the Shares being delivered at the Closing Date or the
Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner
contemplated in the Prospectus.

       9.   This Agreement shall become effective upon the later of (x)
execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto and (y) release of
notification of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (or, if
applicable, any post-effective amendment) by the Commission.

     If on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be,
any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares
which it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the
aggregate number of Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters
agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the
aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters
shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the number of Shares set
forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I bears to the aggregate
number of Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting
Underwriters, or in such other

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
proportions as the Representatives may specify, to purchase the Shares which
such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to
purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the number of Shares that
any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to Section 1 be increased
pursuant to this Section 9 by an amount in excess of one-tenth of such number of
Shares without the written consent of such Underwriter. If on the Closing Date
or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, any Underwriter or
Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares which it or they have
agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number of Shares
with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the
aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date, and arrangements
satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such
Shares are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement (or the
obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the Option Shares, as the
case may be) shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter or the Company. In any such case either you or the Company shall
have the right to postpone the Closing Date (or, in the case of the Option
Shares, the Additional Closing Date), but in no event for longer than seven
days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement
and in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected.
Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under
this Agreement.

       10.   If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any
of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply
with the terms or to fulfill the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any
reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this
Agreement or any condition of the Underwriters' obligations cannot be fulfilled,
the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so
terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all out-of-
pocket expenses (including the fees and expenses of its counsel) reasonably
incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the offering
contemplated hereunder.

       11.   This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company, the Underwriters, each affiliate of any Underwriter which assists
such Underwriter in the distribution of the Shares, any controlling persons
referred to herein and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing
expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to
give any other person, firm or corporation any legal or equitable right, remedy
or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein
contained. No purchaser of Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a
successor merely by reason of such purchase.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
       12.   Any action by the Underwriters or the Representatives hereunder may
be taken by the Representatives jointly or by J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. on
behalf of the Underwriters or the Representatives, and any such action taken by
the Representatives jointly or by J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. shall be binding
upon the Underwriters. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted
by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be
given to the Representatives, c/o J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., 60 Wall Street,
New York, New York 10260 (telefax: (212) 483-2323); Attention: Syndicate
Department. Notices to the Company shall be given to it at CONSOL Energy Inc.,
CONSOL Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241 (telefax:
(412) 831-4000); Attention: Michael Nemser.

       13.   This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall
be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

       14.   THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS
OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF.

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
       If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign
and return four counterparts hereof.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        CONSOL ENERGY INC.


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

Accepted:_________, 1999

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
  & SMITH INCORPORATED

Acting severally on behalf of themselves
    and the several Underwriters listed
    in Schedule I hereto.

By:  J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.


By:
   -------------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      SCHEDULE I


                                                            Number of Shares
                    Underwriter                             To Be Purchased
                    -----------                             ----------------

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. ...........................

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.....
 
     Total                                                      2,600,000
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A



                               LOCK-UP AGREEMENT


_________________, 1999



J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
   Smith Incorporated,
     As representatives of the several
     Underwriters listed in Schedule I
     to the Underwriting Agreement
c/o  J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
     60 Wall Street
     New York, New York  10260

Re:  CONSOL Energy Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The undersigned understands that you, as Representatives of the several
Underwriters, propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting
Agreement") with CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
providing for the public offering (the "Public Offering") by the several
Underwriters named in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement (the
"Underwriters"), of 22,600,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, par value
$.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock").

     In consideration of the Underwriters' agreement to purchase and make the
Public Offering of the Shares, and for other good and valuable consideration,
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees that,
without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. on behalf of
the Underwriters, the undersigned will not, during the period ending 180 days
after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the
"Prospectus"), (1) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract
to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or
contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise
transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock of
the Company or any securities

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (including
without limitation, Common Stock which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by
the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a
stock option or warrant) or (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that
transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of
the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2)
above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in
cash or otherwise. In addition, the undersigned agrees that, without the prior
written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. on behalf of the Underwriters, it
will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of the Prospectus,
make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of
any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Common Stock.

     In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company, and any duly appointed
transfer agent for the registration or transfer of the securities described
herein, are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if
such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this lock-up agreement.

     The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has
full power and authority to enter into this lock-up agreement.  All authority
herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the
undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal
representatives of the undersigned.

     The undersigned understands that if the Underwriting Agreement does not
become effective, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions
thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to
payment for and delivery of the Common Stock to be sold thereunder, the
undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this lock-up agreement.

     The undersigned understands that the Underwriters are entering into the
Underwriting Agreement and proceeding with the Public Offering in reliance upon
this lock-up agreement.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     This lock-up agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflicts
of laws provisions thereof.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        [NAME OF STOCKHOLDER]


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

Accepted as of the date first
  set forth above:

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER
  & SMITH INCORPORATED
Acting severally on behalf of themselves
  and the several Underwriters named in
  Schedule I to the Underwriting
  Agreement


By: J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.


By:
   -----------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                          CROSS-REFERENCE TARGET LIST
                          ===========================

                NOTE: Due to the number of targets some target 
              names may not appear in the target pull-down list.
             (This list is for the use of the wordprocessor only,
             is not a part of this document and may be discarded.)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ARTICLE/SECTION TARGET NAME  ARTICLE/SECTION TARGET NAME  ARTICLE/SECTION TARGET NAME   ARTICLE/SECTION TARGET NAME
===========================  ==========================  =============================  =========================== 
<S>                         <C>                          <C>                            <C>              
1....................sell.agree

5(a)(i).........co.use.best.eff
5(a)(ix)(A)...........not.offer
5(a)(ix)(B)............not.swap
5(a)(v)............... pros.req
?......................sell.cov
?..................sell.not.off
?.................sell.not.swap

6(a)................... reg.eff
6(b)...............rep.war.true
6(c).............no.downgrading
6(d).............no.chg.cap.stk
6(f)(vii), 6(g)(v)....coun.opin

7......................co.indem

9.......................agt.eff
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.1



                                   RESTATED
                         CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                      OF
                              CONSOL ENERGY INC.
           Under Section 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

                                   * * * * *

          CONSOL Energy Inc. (hereinafter called the "Company") filed its
original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware
under the name of "Consol Inc." on October 31, 1991.  An amendment to such
Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware
on December 11, 1991, that changed the name of the Company to CONSOL Energy
Inc., and further amendments to such Certificate were so filed on October 26,
1998, and November 6, 1998.
 
          This Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been adopted and
approved by the Board of Directors and by the stockholders of the Company in
accordance with the provisions of Section 242 and Section 245 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware.
 
          The following Restated Certificate of Incorporation 
<PAGE>
 
amends the existing Certificate of Incorporation of the Company by (i) amending
Article FOURTH to authorize the Company to issue 15,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.01 each, and to increase the authorized number of shares of
the common stock of the Company from 100,000 shares to 500,000,000 shares and to
reduce the par value of each such share from $1.00 per share to $0.01 per share,
and (ii) inserting a new Article SEVENTH containing provisions regulating the
rights and duties of the Company and officers and directors of the Company who
may be officers, directors, employees or agents of Rheinbraun A.G., a German
corporation that is a substantial stockholder of the Company, with respect to
the allocation of corporate opportunities between the two corporations.
 
          Pursuant to the provisions of Section 245 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, the Company hereby certifies that:
 
          FIRST:  The name of the corporation (hereinafter called the "Company")
is CONSOL Energy Inc.
 
          SECOND:  The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware
is located at 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New
Castle.  The registered agent at that address is The Corporation Trust Company.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          THIRD:  The purpose of the Company is confined to the making,
maintenance and management of its intangible investments and collection and
distribution of income from such investments or from tangible property
physically located outside the State of Delaware.
 
          FOURTH:  (i)  The total number of shares of stock which the Company
shall have authority to issue is fifteen million (15,000,000) shares of
Preferred Stock of the par value of one cent ($0.01) per share or such other par
value as may be determined pursuant to Section (ii) of this Article, and five
hundred million (500,000,000) shares of Common Stock of the par value of one
cent ($0.01) per share.

          (ii) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one
or more series, as provided by the Board of Directors as permitted hereby.  All
shares of any one series shall be identical in all respects with all the other
shares of such series, except the shares of any one series issued at different
times may differ as to the dates from which dividends thereon may be cumulative.

          The Board of Directors is hereby authorized, by resolution or
resolutions, to establish, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock not
then allocated to any series of Preferred Stock, additional series of Preferred
Stock.  Before any shares of 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
any series are issued, the Board of Directors shall fix and determine, and is
hereby expressly empowered to fix and determine, by resolution or resolutions,
the distinguishing characteristics and the relative rights, preferences,
privileges and immunities of the shares thereof, so far as not inconsistent with
the provisions of this Article FOURTH. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Board of Directors may fix and determine:

         (a) The designation of such series, the number of shares which shall
     constitute such series and the par value, if any, of such shares;

         (b) The rate of dividend, if any, payable on shares of such series;

         (c) Whether the shares of such series shall be cumulative, non-
     cumulative or partially cumulative as to dividends, and the dates from
     which any cumulative dividends are to accumulate;

          (d) Whether the shares of such series may be redeemed, and, if so, the
     price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which shares of
     such series may be redeemed;

          (e) The amount payable upon shares of such series in the event of the
     voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
     affairs of the Company;

          (f) The sinking fund provisions, if any, for the redemption of shares
     of such series;
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          (g) The voting rights, if any, of the shares of such series;

          (h) The terms and conditions, if any, on which shares of such series
     may be converted into shares of capital stock of the Company of any other
     class or series;

          (i) Whether the shares of such series are to be preferred over shares
     of capital stock of the Company of any other class or series as to
     dividends, or upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation,
     or winding up of the affairs of the Company, or otherwise; and

          (j) Any other characteristics, preferences, limitations, rights,
     privileges, immunities or terms not inconsistent with the provisions of
     this Article FOURTH.

          (iii)  At the time this amendment becomes effective, each share of
Common Stock, par value one dollar ($1.00), issued and outstanding at such time
shall be, and hereby is, changed and reclassified into 1088.0671 fully paid and
non-assessable shares of Common Stock, par value one cent ($0.01) each, as
herein authorized.  Each outstanding stock certificate of this Company which,
immediately prior to the time this amendment becomes effective, represented one
or more shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, ("Old Certificate") shall
thereafter represent the same number of shares of Common Stock $0.01 par value,
and this Company shall issue and deliver to each holder of Common Stock of this
Company a new stock certificate representing such number of 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
additional shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, as shall equal the
difference between the number of shares represented by such Old Certificate and
said number multiplied by 1088.0671 (omitting fractional shares).
 
          FIFTH:  The following provisions are for the management of the
business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Company and for the further
creation, definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Company and
of its directors and stockholders:

          The number of directors of the Company shall be fixed by, or in the
manner provided in, the by-laws of the Company.  The election of the directors
need not be by written ballot unless the by-laws so provide.

          The directors of the Company may from time to time adopt, amend or
repeal any of the by-laws of the Company, including by-laws adopted by the
stockholders, but the stockholders may from time to time specify provisions of
the by-laws that may not be amended or repealed by the directors.

          The directors of the Company shall have the power without the assent
or vote of the stockholders to authorize and to cause to be executed and
delivered on behalf of the Company mortgages and liens upon all or any part of
the property of the Company.

          Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State
of Delaware, as the by-laws may provide.

          In addition to the powers and authorities hereinbefore or by law
expressly conferred upon them, the directors of the Company are hereby empowered
to exercise all such powers and to do all such acts and

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
things as may be exercised or done by the Company, subject to the provisions of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, of this Certificate of
Incorporation, and to any by-laws of the Company; provided, however, that no by-
law whether adopted by the stockholders or by the directors of the Company shall
invalidate any prior act of the directors which would have been valid if such 
by-law had not been adopted.
 
          SIXTH:  A director of the Company shall not be personally liable to
the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions
not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or
(iv) for any transaction from which the director derived improper personal
benefit.  If the General Corporation Law of Delaware shall be amended, after
approval by the shareholders of this Article, to authorize corporate action
further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the
liability of a director of the Company shall be eliminated or limited to the
full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, as so amended.
Any repeal or modification of this Article Sixth by the shareholders of the
Company shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the
Company existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          SEVENTH.  (i) Rheinbraun A.G., a German corporation, is a substantial
stockholder of the Company.  Because Rheinbraun A.G. and the Company may engage
in the same or similar activities or lines of business and have an interest in
the same corporate opportunities, the provisions of this Article are set forth
to regulate, define, and guide  the rights and duties of the Company and
officers and directors of the Company who may be officers, directors, employees
or agents of Rheinbraun A.G. with respect to the allocation of such corporate
opportunities.

          (ii)  Rheinbraun A.G. shall have the right (a) to engage in the same
or similar activities or lines of business as the Company, (b) to do business
with potential or actual customers or suppliers of the Company, and (c) to
employ or otherwise engage or solicit for such purpose any officer, employee or
director of the Company.  Neither Rheinbraun A.G. nor any officers, directors,
employees or agents thereof (except as provided in (iii) below) shall be liable
to the Company, its stockholders, or any other person for breach of any
fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty by reason of any such activities of Rheinbraun
A.G.  In the event that Rheinbraun A.G. acquires knowledge of a potential
transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both Rheinbraun
A.G. and the Company, Rheinbraun A.G. shall not have any duty to communicate or
offer such corporate opportunity to the Company and shall not be liable to the
Company, its stockholders or any other 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
person for breach of any fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty as a stockholder of
the Company by reason of the pursuit or acquisition by Rheinbraun A.G. of such
corporate opportunity for itself, the direction of such corporate opportunity to
another person, or the omission to communicate information regarding such
corporate opportunity to the Company.

          (iii)  In the event that a director or officer of the Company who is
also a director, officer, employee or agent of Rheinbraun A.G. acquires
knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate
opportunity for both the Company and Rheinbraun A.G., such director or officer
(a) shall be deemed to have fully satisfied and fulfilled any fiduciary or other
duties of such director or officer to the Company, its stockholders, and any
other person with respect to such corporate opportunity, (b) shall not be liable
to the Company or its subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duties,
(c) shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person
reasonably believes to be in and not opposed to the best interests of the
Company, and (d) shall not be deemed to have breached any duty of loyalty or
other duty such person may have to the Company or its stockholders or to have
derived an improper benefit, if such director or officer acts in a manner
consistent with the following policy: a corporate opportunity offered to any
person who is a director or officer of the Company and who is also a director,
officer, employee or agent 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
of Rheinbraun A.G. shall belong to the Company if such opportunity is expressly
offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of
the Company; otherwise, such corporate opportunity shall belong to Rheinbraun
A.G.

          (iv)  Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in
shares of the capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and
to have consented to the provisions of this Article.

          (v)   For purposes of this Article only, (a) the term "Company" shall
mean the Company and all corporations, partnerships, joint ventures,
associations and other entities in which the Company beneficially owns (directly
or indirectly) 50% or more of the outstanding voting stock, voting power,
partnership interests or similar voting interests; (b) the term "Rheinbraun
A.G." shall mean Rheinbraun A.G., its parent corporation RWE A.G., and all
corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, associations and other entities
(other than the Company, defined in accordance with clause (a) of this
paragraph) in which Rheinbraun A.G. or RWE A.G. beneficially owns (directly or
indirectly) 50% or more of the outstanding voting stock, voting power,
partnership interests or similar voting interests; and (c) the term "corporate
opportunity" shall include, but not be limited to, business opportunities (1)
which the Company is financially able to undertake, (2) which are, 

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
from their nature, in the line or lines of the Company's business, would be of
practical advantage to it, and in which the Company has an interest or a
reasonable expectancy, and (3) as to which, by embracing the opportunity, the
self-interest of Rheinbraun A.G. or the officer, director, employee or agent, as
the case may be, will be brought into conflict with that of the Company.

          (vi)  Notwithstanding anything in this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to the contrary, (a) the foregoing provisions of this Article
shall expire on the date that Rheinbraun A.G. ceases to own beneficially Common
Stock representing at least 20% of the total voting power of all classes of
outstanding stock of the Company and there is not any person who is a director
or officer of the Company who is also a director or officer of Rheinbraun A.G.;
and (b) in addition to any vote of the stockholders required by this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, until the time that Rheinbraun A.G. shall cease to
own beneficially Common Stock representing at least 20% of the total voting
power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company, the affirmative vote
of the holders of more than 80% of the total voting power of all classes of
outstanding stock of the Company shall be required to alter, amend or repeal in
a manner adverse to the interests of Rheinbraun A.G., or adopt any provision
adverse to the interests of Rheinbraun A.G. and inconsistent with, any provision
of this Article.  Neither the alteration, amendment 

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
or repeal of this Article nor the adoption of any provision of this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article shall eliminate or
reduce the effect of this Article in respect of any matter occurring, or any
cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article, would accrue or
arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption.
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned President - Chief Executive
Officer of the Company formally acknowledges that the facts stated herein are
true, and accordingly has set his hand this __ day of February, 1999.
 
                              CONSOL ENERGY INC.
 
                              ___________________________________
                              J. Brett Harvey
                              President - Chief Executive Officer
 
ATTEST:


____________________________
D. L. Fassio
Secretary
                                      12
 

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.2

 
                                       1




                                    BYLAWS

                                      OF

                              CONSOL ENERGY INC.



                    Incorporated under the Laws of Delaware



                              February 17, 1999
<PAGE>
 
                                     INDEX




                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
 
 
ARTICLE I.  MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS.........................................  1
 
SECTION 1.  Annual..........................................................  1
SECTION 2.  Special.........................................................  1
SECTION 3.  Notice..........................................................  1
SECTION 4.  Quorum..........................................................  1
SECTION 5.  Organization....................................................  1
SECTION 6.  Voting..........................................................  2
SECTION 7.  Inspector(s)....................................................  2
 
ARTICLE II.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS.............................................  2
 
SECTION 1.  Number..........................................................  2
SECTION 2.  Term............................................................  2
SECTION 3.  Increase of Number..............................................  2
SECTION 4.  Resignation.....................................................  3
SECTION 5.  Vacancies.......................................................  3
SECTION 6.  Regular Meetings................................................  3
SECTION 7.  Special Meetings................................................  3
SECTION 8.  Quorum..........................................................  3
SECTION 9.  Place of Meeting................................................  3
SECTION 10. Action by Consent; Participation by Telephone or
            Similar Equipment...............................................  3
 
ARTICLE III.  COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.......................................  4
 
SECTION 1.  Committees......................................................  4
SECTION 2.  Procedure.......................................................  4
SECTION 3.  Reports to the Board............................................  4
SECTION 4.  Executive Committee.............................................  4
SECTION 5.  Audit Committee.................................................  4
SECTION 6.  Compensation Committee..........................................  5
 
ARTICLE IV.  OFFICERS.......................................................  5
 
SECTION 1.  Officers........................................................  5
SECTION 2.  President.......................................................  5
SECTION 3.  Executive Vice Presidents.......................................  5
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 4.  Senior Vice President...........................................  5
SECTION 5.  Vice Presidents.................................................  5
SECTION 6.  Treasurer.......................................................  5
SECTION 7.  Controller......................................................  6
SECTION 8.  Secretary.......................................................  6
SECTION 9.  Removal.........................................................  6
SECTION 10. Resignation.....................................................  6
SECTION 11. Vacancies.......................................................  6
 
ARTICLE V.  MISCELLANEOUS...................................................  6
 
 SECTION 1.  Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees
             and Agents.....................................................  6
 SECTION 2.  Certificate for Shares.........................................  7
 SECTION 3.  Transfer of Shares.............................................  7
 SECTION 4.  Regulations....................................................  7
 SECTION 5.  Record Date of Stockholders....................................  8
 SECTION 6.  Corporate Seal.................................................  8
 
ARTICLE VI.  AMENDMENTS.....................................................  8

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
                                    BYLAWS

                                      OF

                              CONSOL ENERGY INC.


                                  ARTICLE I.
                            MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS


     SECTION 1.  Annual.  Meetings of the stockholders for the purpose of
                 ------                                                  
electing Directors, and transacting such other proper business as may be brought
before the meeting, shall be held annually at such date, time, and place, within
or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by the Board of Directors
("Board").

     SECTION 2.  Special.  Special meetings of the stockholders may be called by
                 -------                                                        
the Board and shall be called by the Secretary at the request in writing of the
holders of record of at least a majority of the outstanding stock of the Company
entitled to vote.  Special meetings shall be held within or without the State of
Delaware, as the Board shall designate.

     SECTION 3.  Notice.  Written notice of each meeting of stockholders,
                 ------                                                  
stating the place, date, and hour of the meeting, and the purpose of purposes
thereof, shall be mailed not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the
date of such meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat.

     SECTION 4.  Quorum.  Unless otherwise provided by statute, the holders of
                 ------                                                       
shares of stock entitled to cast a majority of votes at a meeting, present
either in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at such meeting.

     SECTION 5.  Organization.  The Chairman of the Board or, in the Chairman's
                 ------------                                                  
absence, the President shall preside at meetings of stockholders.  The Secretary
of the Company shall act as Secretary of all meetings of the stockholders, but
in the absence of the Secretary the presiding officer may appoint a Secretary of
the meeting.  The order of business for such meetings shall be 
<PAGE>
 
determined by the President with the approval of the Chairman of the Board.

     SECTION 6.  Voting.  Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting shall
                 ------                                                         
be entitled to one vote for each share held of record, in person, by written
proxy or by any permissible means of electronic transmission, provided that such
electronic transmission must either contain, or be submitted with, information
from which it can be determined that it was authorized by the stockholder.  All
elections and questions shall be decided by the vote of holders of at least a
majority of the outstanding stock of the Company present in person or by proxy,
a quorum being present, except as otherwise required by law.

     SECTION 7.  Inspector(s).  At each meeting of the stockholders the
                 ------------                                          
Inspector(s) shall, among other things, ascertain the number of shares
outstanding and the voting power of each; determine the shares represented at
the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; count all votes and
ballots; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented and
their count of all votes and ballots.  If three or more Inspectors are
appointed, a majority of those appointed shall have power to make a decision.
Each such Inspector shall be appointed by the Board before the meeting, or in
default thereof, by the presiding officer at the meeting, and shall be sworn to
the faithful performance of their duties.  If any Inspector previously appointed
shall fail to attend or refuse or be unable to serve, a substitute shall be
appointed by the presiding officer.

                                  ARTICLE II.
                              BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     SECTION 1.  Number.  The business and affairs of the Company shall be under
                 ------                                                         
the direction of the Board.  The number of Directors, which shall not be less
than six, shall be determined from time to time by the vote of at least a
majority of the whole Board.  The Board shall elect one of the directors as
Chairman of the Board, to serve at the pleasure of the Board.  The Chairman of
the Board or, in his absence, the President shall preside at all meetings of the
Board.

     SECTION 2.  Term.  Each Director shall hold office until the next annual
                 ----                                                        
election of Directors and until the Director's successor is elected and
qualified.

     SECTION 3.  Increase of Number.  In case of any increase in the number of
                 ------------------                                           
Directors between Annual Meetings of Stockholders, 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
each additional Director shall be elected by the vote of at least a majority of
the whole Board.

     SECTION 4.  Resignation.  A Director may resign at any time by giving
                 -----------                                              
written notice to the Chairman of the Board or the Secretary.  The acceptance
thereof shall not be necessary to make it effective; and such resignation shall
take effect at the time specified therein or, in the absence of such
specification, upon the receipt thereof.

     SECTION 5.  Vacancies.  In case of any vacancy in the Board for any cause,
                 ---------                                                     
the remaining Directors, by vote of majority of the whole Board, may elect a
successor to hold office for the unexpired term of the Director whose place is
vacant.

     SECTION 6.  Regular Meetings.  Regular meetings of the Board shall be held
                 ----------------                                              
at such times as the Board may designate.  A notice of each regular meeting
shall not be required.

     SECTION 7.  Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the Board shall be held
                 ----------------                                              
whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the President or three Directors.
The Secretary shall give notice of such special meetings by telegraph, cable or
telefax at least two days before the meeting directed to each Director; such
notice may be waived in writing by any Director before or after such meeting.
Unless otherwise stated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be
transacted at a special meeting.  At any meeting at which every Director shall
be present, any business may be transacted, irrespective of notice.

     SECTION 8.  Quorum.  At least five members of the Board shall constitute a
                 ------                                                        
quorum.  If there be less than a quorum present at any meeting, a majority of
those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time.  Except as otherwise
provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which
there is a quorum shall be necessary for the passage of any resolution.

     SECTION 9.  Place of Meeting.  The Directors shall hold the meetings, and
                 ----------------                                             
may have an office or offices in such place or places within or outside the
State of Delaware as the Board from time to time may determine.

     SECTION 10. Action by Consent; Participation by Telephone or Similar
                 --------------------------------------------------------
Equipment.  Unless the Board shall otherwise provide, any action required or
- ---------                                                                   
permitted to be taken by the Board or any committee of the Board may be taken
without a meeting if all 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
members of the Board or such committee consent in writing to the adoption of a
resolution authorizing the action. The resolution and the written consents
thereto shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or
committee. Unless the Board shall otherwise provide, any one or more members of
the Board or any such committee may participate in any meeting by means of
conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all
persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation by
such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

                                 ARTICLE III.
                            COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

     SECTION 1.  Committees.  The Board, by the affirmative vote of a majority
                 ----------                                                   
of the whole Board, shall elect from the Directors an Executive Committee, an
Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and may, by like vote, designate one
or more additional committees, each committee to consist of two or more
Directors.  The Board shall designate a chairman for each committee, who shall
serve at the pleasure of the Board.  The number of members of each committee
shall be determined from time to time by the Board.

     SECTION 2.  Procedure.  Each Committee shall fix its own rules of procedure
                 ---------                                                      
and shall meet where and as provided by such rules.  A majority of a committee
shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of the members of the
committee present at a meeting at which a quorum shall be present shall be the
act of the committee.

     SECTION 3.  Reports to the Board.  Each Committee shall keep regular
                 --------------------                                    
minutes of its proceedings and shall periodically report to the Board summaries
of the Committee's significant completed actions and such other matters as may
be requested by the Board.

     SECTION 4.  Executive Committee.  Except as provided by Delaware law,
                 -------------------                                      
during the interval between meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee shall
possess and may exercise all of the powers of the Board in the management and
direction of the business and affairs of the Company (except matters hereinafter
assigned to any other committee of the Board), in such manner as the Executive
Committee shall deem in the best interests of the Company in all cases in which
specific directions shall not have been given by the Board.  The Chairman of the
Board and the President shall be ex officio members of the Executive Committee,
and either of them, or any two other members of the Executive Committee, may
call meetings of the Executive Committee.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 5.  Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee shall employ independent
                 ---------------                                               
public accountants, subject to stockholder ratification at each annual meeting,
review the adequacy of internal controls and the accounting principles employed
in financial reporting, and shall have such power and perform such duties as may
be assigned to it from time to time by the Board.  None of the Members of the
Audit Committee shall be an officer or employee of the Company or its
subsidiaries.

     SECTION 6.  Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee shall have
                 ----------------------                                        
such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to it from time to time
by the Board.  None of the members of the Compensation Committee shall be an
officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries.

                                  ARTICLE IV.
                                   OFFICERS

     SECTION 1.  Officers.  The officers of the Company shall be a President-
                 --------                                                   
Chief Executive Officer, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, a Senior Vice
President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, a Controller, and a
Secretary.  The Board or the President may appoint such other officers as they
deem necessary, who shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as
may be prescribed, respectively, by the Board or the President.

     SECTION 2.  President.  The President shall be the chief executive officer
                 ---------                                                     
of the Company and, subject to the Board, shall have general charge of the
business and affairs of the Company and perform such other duties as may be
assigned to the President by the Board.  In the absence or inability to act of
the Chairman of the Board, the President shall perform the duties of the
Chairman of the Board.

     SECTION 3.  Executive Vice Presidents.  Each Executive Vice President shall
                 -------------------------                                      
have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to such Executive
Vice President by the Board or the President.

     SECTION 4.  Senior Vice President.  The Senior Vice President shall have
                 ---------------------                                       
such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to such Senior Vice
President by the Board or the President.

     SECTION 5.  Vice Presidents.  The Board may appoint one or more Vice
                 ---------------                                         
Presidents.  Each Vice President shall have such title, powers, and duties as
may be assigned to such Vice President by the Board or the President.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 6.  Treasurer.  The Board shall appoint a Treasurer, who shall have
                 ---------                                                      
such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to such Treasurer by the
Board or the President.

     SECTION 7.  Controller.  The Board may appoint a Controller, who shall have
                 ----------                                                     
such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to such Controller by the
Board or the President.

     SECTION 8.  Secretary.  The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all
                 ---------                                              
meetings of the Board and the minutes of all the meetings of the stockholders;
the Secretary shall give all notices of meetings as required by law or these
Bylaws; the Secretary shall affix the seal of the Company to any instruments
when so required; and the Secretary shall in general perform all the corporate
duties incident to the office of Secretary, subject to the control of the Board
or the President, and such other duties as may be assigned to the Secretary by
the Board or the President.

     SECTION 9.  Removal.  All officers elected or appointed by the Board may be
                 -------                                                        
removed or suspended at any time by the vote of the majority of the whole Board
or by the President. All officers, agents and employees, other than officers
elected or appointed by the Board, may be suspended or removed by the officer
appointing them.

     SECTION 10.  Resignation.  Any officer may resign at any time by giving
                  -----------                                               
written notice to the President or the Secretary.  Unless otherwise stated in
such notice of resignation, the acceptance thereof shall not be necessary to
make it effective; and such resignation shall take effect at the time specified
therein or, in the absence of such specification, it shall take effect upon the
receipt thereof.

     SECTION 11.  Vacancies.  A vacancy in any office shall be filled in the
                  ---------                                                 
same manner as provided for election or appointment to such office.

                                  ARTICLE V.
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 1.  Indemnification of Directors , Officers, Employees and Agents.
                 -------------------------------------------------------------  
Each person who is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Company
(including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such person) shall
be indemnified by the Company as of right to the full extent permitted by the
General Corporation Law of Delaware against any liability, cost or expense
asserted against such person and incurred by such person by reason 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
of the fact that such person is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent.
The right to indemnification conferred by this Section shall include the right
to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any action, suit or
proceeding in advance of its final disposition, subject to the receipt by the
Company of such undertakings as may be required by the General Corporation Law
of Delaware. The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, maintain insurance
at its expense, to protect itself and any such person against any such
liability, cost or expense.

     The foregoing provisions of this Section 1 shall be deemed to be a contract
between the Company and each director and officer who serves in such capacity at
any time while this Section is in effect.  Neither any repeal or modification of
this Section or, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of Delaware, any
repeal or modification of laws, shall affect any rights or obligations then
existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any
action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought based in whole or
in part upon any such state of facts.

     SECTION 2.  Certificate for Shares.  The shares of the capital stock of the
                 ----------------------                                         
Company shall be represented by certificates.  To the extent required by law,
every holder of stock shall be entitled to a certificate representing the number
of shares in the Company owned by such stockholder in such form, not
inconsistent with the Certificate of Incorporation, as shall be prescribed by
the Board.  Certificates representing shares of the capital stock of the Company
shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, President or an Executive Vice
President and the Treasurer, Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.  Any or all
signatures on the certificate, including those of the Transfer Agent and
Registrar, may be facsimile.  The name of the person owning the shares
represented thereby, with the number of such shares and the date of issue, shall
be entered on the Company's books.

     All certificates surrendered to the Company shall be canceled, and no new
certificates shall be issued until the former certificate for the same number of
shares of the same class shall have been surrendered and canceled, except that
the Board may determine, from time to time, the conditions and provisions on
which new certificates may be used in substitution of any certificates that may
have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

     SECTION 3.  Transfer of Shares.  Shares in the capital stock of the Company
                 ------------------                                             
shall be transferred by the record holder thereof, in person, or by any such
person's attorney upon surrender and 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
cancellation of certificates for a like number of shares.

     SECTION 4.  Regulations.  The Board may make rules and regulations
                 -----------                                           
concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of
the capital stock of the Company.  The Board may appoint one or more transfer
agents and one or more registrars of transfers, and may require all stock
certificates to bear the signature of a transfer agent and a registrar of
transfer.

     SECTION 5.  Record Date of Stockholders.  The Board may fix in advance a
                 ---------------------------                                 
date, not exceeding sixty days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders
and as otherwise required by law, or the date for the payment of any dividend or
other distribution, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when
any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, as a
record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and
to vote at, any such meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any such
dividend or other distribution, or to any such allotment of rights, or to
exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of
capital stock, and in such case only such stockholders as shall be stockholders
of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote
at, such meeting, or to receive any such dividend or other distribution, or to
receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may
be, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the Company after
such record date fixed as aforesaid.

     SECTION 6.  Corporate Seal.  The seal of the Company shall be circular in
                 --------------                                               
form, containing the words "CONSOL ENERGY INC." and "DELAWARE" on the
circumference, surrounding the words "SEAL" and the date "1991."  The seal shall
be in the custody of the Secretary.

                                  ARTICLE VI.
                                  AMENDMENTS

     These Bylaws may be amended or repealed, in whole or in part, only by the
affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding
stock of the Company entitled to vote or by duly adopted resolution of the
Board; provided, that the stockholders may from time to time specify provisions
       --------                                                                
of the Bylaws that may not be amended or repealed by the Board.


                                       8

<PAGE>
 
                       Incorporated under the Laws of Delaware


          Number                                                 Shares


                                                  CUSIP 


                                  CONSOL ENERGY INC.

                                     COMMON STOCK



          This certifies that _______________________________________ is
          the record holder of ________________________________________
          Shares of the Common Stock of 

          transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holder
          hereof in person or by Attorney upon surrender of this
          Certificate properly endorsed, or assigned.


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said Corporation has caused this
          Certificate to be signed by its duly authorized officers and its
          Corporate Seal to be hereunto affixed this ______ day of
          ________________, 19___.



          _________________________               _________________________
          President                               Secretary 



     
                                  CONSOL ENERGY, INC


               THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH
          STOCKHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES
          AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF
          EACH CLASS OF STOCK OR SERIES THEREOF AND THE QUALIFICATIONS,
          LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR RIGHTS.



               The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on
          the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they
          were written out in full according to applicable laws or
          regulations:


      TEN COM - AS TENANTS IN COMMON        UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - __Custodian__
      TEN ENT - as tenants by the                             (cou)   (minor)
                entireties                         under Uniform Gifts to
      IT TEN -  as [   ] tenants with              Minors Act _______________
                right of survivorship                             (State)
                and [  ] as tenants in
                common
          
          Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above
          list.

               For value received ______________ hereby sell, assign and
          transfer unto
          PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
          OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
          _________________________

          _________________________

          _________________________________________________________________
               Please print or typewrite name and address including postal
          zip code of assignee
          _________________________________________________________________

          _________________________________________________________________

          _________________________________________________________________
          Shares of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate,
          and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint_________________

          _________________________________________________________________

          Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-
          named Corporation with full power of substitution in the
          premises.

          Dated, __________________  

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 5


                           THELEN REID & PRIEST LLP
                              40 West 57th Street
                           New York, NY  10019-4097




                                                     New York, New York
                                                     March 23, 1999


             CONSOL Energy Inc.
             Consol Plaza
             1800 Washington Road
             Pittsburgh, PA  15241

                  Re:  CONSOL Energy Inc.; 
                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                       ----------------------------------

             Ladies and Gentlemen:

                       We have acted as counsel to CONSOL Energy Inc., a
             Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with
             the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange
             Commission (the "Commission") of the above-captioned
             Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the "Registration
             Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
             (the "Act"), with respect to the proposed offering of
             25,990,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value
             $.01 per share, which are subject to an over-allotment
             option granted to the Underwriters (the "Shares").

                       In rendering this opinion, we have examined
             originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to
             our satisfaction, of the Certificate of Incorporation and
             the By-Laws of the Company, each as amended, and the
             proposed underwriting agreement among the Company and the
             representatives of the several Underwriters in the form
             filed as Exhibit 1 to the Registration Statement (the
             "Underwriting Agreement") and such other documents,
             corporate records, certificates of public officials and
             instruments as we have considered necessary or advisable
             for the purpose of this opinion.  For purposes of such
             examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all
             signatures on and the authenticity of all documents
             submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to the
             originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.  We
             have not independently verified such information and
             assumptions.
<PAGE>
 
     CONSOL Energy Inc.
     Page -2-
     March 23, 1999
                   


                       Subject to the foregoing, and based on such
             examination and review, we are of the opinion that:

                       1.   The Company is duly incorporated, validly
             existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
             of Delaware.

                       2.   The Shares, when issued and delivered upon
             payment therefor in accordance with the terms and
             conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, will be duly
             authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable
             shares of Common Stock of the Company.

                       We are members of the Bar of the State of New
             York and do not hold ourselves out as experts concerning,
             or qualified to render opinions with respect to, any laws
             other than the laws of the State of New York, the federal
             laws of the United States and the General Corporation Law
             of the State of Delaware.

                       We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion
             as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement, and to the
             reference therein to our firm under the caption "Legal
             Matters" in the Prospectus which forms part of the
             Registration Statement.  In giving the foregoing consent,
             we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of
             persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
             Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission
             promulgated thereunder.


                             Very truly yours,

                             /s/ Thelen Reid & Priest LLP

<PAGE>
 
                               CONSOL ENERGY INC.
                              300 Delaware Avenue
                                   Suite 567
                        Wilmington, Delaware  19801-1622



                                                            February 22, 1999



Mr. John L. Whitmire
P.O. Box 16507
Sugarland, Texas  77496-6507

     Re:  Chairmanship of CONSOL Energy Inc.
          ----------------------------------

Dear John:

     On behalf of the Board of Directors of CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("CEI"), I am pleased to invite you to become a member of the Board
of Directors of CEI and its direct subsidiary CONSOL Inc., also a Delaware
corporation ("CI"), and to serve as non-executive Chairman of the Board of each
corporation.

     Your appointment as such is formally subject to your election by each
corporation's stockholders as a director, and your election by each
corporation's Board as its Chairman of the Board.  It is understood between us
that, as non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of each of CEI and CI,
you will not be an officer or employee of either corporation and you will render
services only as a director.

     For such services as a director and non-executive chairman, CEI will pay
you the following compensation:

          (a) Cash Compensation.  You will be entitled to aggregate cash
              -----------------                                         
     compensation at the rate of $100,000 per annum.  Such compensation will
     consist of applicable board meeting and committee fees and retainer, and
     will be paid to you on a quarterly basis.  You may elect to defer receipt
     of any portion of your cash compensation in accordance with deferral terms
     to be agreed between us.  Any deferral or re-deferral by you will be made
     in a timely manner to comply with any applicable tax requirements.
<PAGE>
 
Mr. John Whitmire
February 22, 1999
Page 2
     (b) Stock Compensation.  You will be entitled to shares of stock of CEI in
         ------------------                                                    
     an amount having a fair market value at the time of grant equal to $225,000
     per annum.  If you prefer to defer receipt of such shares, we will at your
     request credit you with equivalent stock units payable as shares of CEI at
     the end of the agreed deferral period.  Any dividends paid on stock
     represented by such units during the deferral period will be credited to
     you in additional equivalent stock units and paid out as shares of CEI at
     the end of the deferral period.

          (c) Stock Options.  You will be entitled to CEI stock options having a
              -------------                                                     
     fair market value at the date of grant (as determined in good faith by the
     Compensation Committee of the Board of CEI) in an amount equal to $25,000
     per annum.

Each grant of stock, stock units or stock options will be made pursuant to a
customary award letter agreement in accordance with the terms of CEI's 1999
Equity Incentive Plan.

          If you agree to accept appointment as non-executive Chairman of the
Board of CEI and CI, please so indicate by counter-signing the enclosed copy of
this letter and returning it to me.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    CONSOL ENERGY INC.



                                    By:/s/ J. Brett Harvey
                                       --------------------------
                                       J. Brett Harvey, Director


ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:



/s/ John Whitmire
- -----------------
John Whitmire

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20



                              CONSOL Energy Inc.
                             Equity Incentive Plan


          The Plan was adopted by the Board on March __, 1999.  The Plan will be
submitted for approval by the Company's shareholders and, contingent upon
shareholder approval, is effective as of March __, 1999. Capitalized terms shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 16 of the Plan.

1.        PURPOSE.

          The purposes of the CONSOL Energy Inc. Equity Incentive Plan are to
promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by (i) attracting and
retaining non-employee directors, executive officers and other key employees and
consultants of the Company and its Affiliates; (ii) motivating such individuals
by means of performance-related incentives to achieve long-range performance
goals; and (iii) enabling such individuals to participate in the long-term
growth and financial success of the Company.

2.        ADMINISTRATION.

          (a) Authority of Board. The Plan shall be administered by the Board.
              ------------------                                               
Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other
express powers and authorizations conferred on the Board by the Plan, the  Board
shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii)
determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to an eligible Employee;
(iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered by, or with respect to which
payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with,
Awards;  (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine
whether, to  what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or
exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or
canceled,  forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may
be settled,  exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended;  (vi) determine
whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other
securities, other Awards, other  property, and other amounts payable with
respect to an Award  shall be deferred either automatically or at the election
of the holder thereof or of the Board; (vii) interpret and administer the Plan
and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan;
(viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations and
appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration
of the Plan; (ix) advance the lapse of any waiting period, accelerate any
exercise date, waive or modify any restriction applicable to Awards (except
those restrictions imposed by law); and (x) make  any other determination and
take any other action that the Board deems  necessary or desirable for the
administration of the Plan. The Board may correct any defect or supply any
omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement in
the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry the Plan into
effect, and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
          (b) Board Discretion Binding.  Unless otherwise expressly provided in
              ------------------------                                         
the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions
under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole
discretion of the  Board, may be made at any time and shall be final,
conclusive, and binding  upon all Persons, including the Company, any Affiliate,
any Participant, any  holder or beneficiary of any Award, any stockholder and
any Employee.

          (c) Delegation to Committee. Except with respect to Awards made
              -----------------------                                    
pursuant to Section 10 to Non-Employee Directors , the Board may delegate to the
Committee any or all authority for administration of the Plan. If authority is
delegated to a Committee, all references to the Board of Directors in the Plan
shall mean and relate to the Committee except (i) as otherwise provided by the
Board of Directors and (ii) that only the Board of Directors may amend or
terminate the Plan.

          (d) Delegation to Officer. The Board or the Committee, as applicable,
              ---------------------                                            
may delegate to an executive officer of the Company authority to administer
those aspects of the Plan that do not involve the designation of individuals to
receive awards or decisions concerning the timing, amounts or other terms of
awards.  No officer to whom administrative authority has been delegated pursuant
to this provision may waive or modify any restriction applicable to an award to
such officer under the Plan.

          (e) No Liability.  No member of the Board or Committee shall be liable
              ------------                                                      
for any action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to the
Plan or any Award granted hereunder.

3.        SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS; LIMITATIONS.

          (a) Shares Available.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section
              ----------------                                               
3(c), the total number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted
under the Plan shall be 3,250,000, out of which 1,000,000 may be used with
respect to Awards other than Options.  If, after the Effective Date, any Shares
covered by an Award granted under the Plan, or to which such an Award relates,
are forfeited, or if such an Award is settled for cash or otherwise terminates
or is canceled without the delivery of Shares, then the Shares covered by such
Award, or to which such Award relates, or the number of Shares otherwise counted
against the aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be
granted, to the extent of any such settlement, forfeiture, termination or
cancellation, shall again become Shares with respect to which Awards may be
granted.  In the event that any Option or other Award granted hereunder is
exercised through the delivery of Shares or in the event that withholding tax
liabilities arising from such Award are satisfied by the withholding of Shares
by the Company, the number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan shall
be increased by the number of Shares so surrendered or withheld.

          (b) Limitations on Awards.  Subject to adjustment as provided in
              ---------------------                                       
Section 3(c), the maximum number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be
granted to any Participant during a calendar year shall be 1,000,000 Shares.
The maximum annual number of shares in 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
respect of which Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance
Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted under the Plan to any
Participant is 325,000 and the maximum annual amount of any Award settled in
cash with respect to any Participant is $2 million.


          (c) Adjustments.  In the event that the Board determines that any
              -----------                                                  
dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other
securities, or other property),  recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock
split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination,
repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance
of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the
Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such
that an adjustment is determined by the Board to be appropriate in order to
prevent dilution or enlargement of  the benefits or potential benefits intended
to be made available under the Plan, then the Board shall, in such manner as it
may deem equitable, (i) adjust any or all of (1) the number of Shares or other
securities of the Company (or number and  kind of other securities or property)
with respect to which Awards may be granted, (2) the maximum number of Shares
subject to an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 3(b) of the
Plan,(3) the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and
kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and (4) the
grant or exercise price with respect to any Award; (ii) if deemed appropriate,
provide for an equivalent award in respect of securities of the surviving entity
of any merger, consolidation or other transaction or event having a similar
effect; or (iii) if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the
holder of an outstanding Award; provided, in each case, that (A) with respect to
Awards of Incentive Stock Options no such adjustment shall be authorized to the
extent that such authority would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of
the Code, as from time to time amended and (B) with respect to any Award no such
adjustment shall be authorized to the extent that such authority would be
inconsistent with the Plan's meeting the requirements of Section 162(m), unless
otherwise determined by the Board.

          (d) Substitute Awards.  Any Shares underlying Substitute Awards shall
              -----------------                                                
not, unless required by Section 16, be counted against the Shares available for
Awards under the Plan.

          (e) Sources of Shares Deliverable under Awards.  Any Shares delivered
              ------------------------------------------                       
pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and
unissued Shares or of treasury Shares.

4.        ELIGIBILITY.

          Any Employee, including any officer or employee-director of the
Company or any Affiliate, who is not a member of the Committee, shall be
eligible to be designated a Participant. Non-Employee Directors shall be
eligible only for Awards described in Section 10.

5.        STOCK OPTIONS.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
          (a) Grant.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall
              -----                                                         
have sole and complete authority to determine the Employees to whom Options
shall be granted (provided that Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to
employees of the Company or a parent or subsidiary of the Company), the number
of Shares to be covered by each Option, the option price and the conditions and
limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option.  The Board shall have the
authority to grant Incentive Stock Options, or to grant Non-Qualified Stock
Options, or to grant both types of options.  In the case of Incentive Stock
Options, the terms and conditions of such grants shall be subject to and comply
with such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code, as from time to
time amended, and any regulations implementing such statute.

          (b) Exercise Price.  The Board in its sole discretion shall establish
              --------------                                                   
the exercise price at the time each Option is granted.  Except in the case of
initial Option awards (which may be granted at the initial public offering
price), Options granted to new Employees and Substitute Awards, the exercise
price of an Option may not be less than the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date.

          (c) Exercise.  Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and
              --------                                                     
subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may, in its sole discretion,
specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter.  The Board may impose
such conditions with respect to the exercise of options, including without
limitation, any relating to the application of federal or state securities laws,
as it may deem necessary or advisable.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an
Incentive Stock Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of ten
years from the Grant Date.

          (d) Payment.  No Shares shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of
              -------                                                           
an Option until payment in full of the option price is received by the Company.
Such payment may be made in cash, or its equivalent, or by exchanging, actually
or constructively, Shares owned by the Participant for at least six months
(which are not the subject of any pledge or other security interest), or by a
combination of the foregoing, provided that the combined value of all cash and
cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any such Shares so tendered to the
Company as of the date of such tender is at least equal to such option price.  A
Participant may elect to pay all or any portion of the aggregate exercise price
by having Shares with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the
aggregate exercise price withheld by the Company or sold by a broker-dealer.

          (e) Restoration Options.  The Board may provide in an Award Agreement
              -------------------                                              
for the automatic grant of a Restoration Option to a Participant who delivers
Shares in payment of the exercise price of any Option granted hereunder in
accordance with Section 5(d), or in the event that the withholding tax liability
arising upon exercise of any such Option or option by a Participant is satisfied
through the withholding by the Company of Shares otherwise deliverable upon
exercise of the Option, .  The grant of a Restoration Option shall be subject to
the satisfaction of such conditions or criteria as the Board in its sole
discretion shall establish from time to time.  A Restoration Option shall
entitle the holder thereof to purchase a number of Shares equal to the number of
such Shares so delivered or withheld upon exercise of the original 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
Option. A Restoration Option shall have a per share exercise price of not less
than 100% of the per Share Fair Market Value on the Grant Date of such
Restoration Option and such other terms and conditions as the Board in its sole
discretion shall determine.

6.        STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

          (a) Grant.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall
              -----                                                         
have sole and complete authority to determine the Employees to whom Stock
Appreciation Rights shall be granted, the number of Shares to be covered by each
Stock Appreciation Right Award, the grant price thereof and the conditions and
limitations applicable to the exercise thereof.  Stock Appreciation Rights may
be granted in tandem with another Award, in addition to another Award, or
freestanding and unrelated to another Award.  Stock Appreciation Rights granted
in tandem with or in addition to an Award may be granted either at the same time
as the Award or, except in the case of Incentive Stock Options, at a later time.
Stock Appreciation Rights shall not be exercisable earlier than six months after
the Grant Date, and shall have a grant price as determined by the Board on the
Grant Date.

          (b) Exercise and Payment.  A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle
              --------------------                                           
the Participant to receive an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market
Value of a Share on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right over
the grant price thereof.  The Board shall determine whether a Stock Appreciation
Right shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares.

          (c) Other Terms and Conditions.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and
              --------------------------                                       
any applicable Award Agreement, the Board shall determine, at or after the grant
of a Stock Appreciation Right, the term, methods of exercise, methods and form
of settlement, and any other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation
Right.  Any such determination by the Board may be changed by the Board from
time to time and may govern the exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights granted or
exercised prior to such determination as well as Stock Appreciation Rights
granted or exercised thereafter.  The Board may impose such conditions or
restrictions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right as it shall deem
appropriate.

7.  RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.

          (a) Grant.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall
              -----                                                         
have sole and complete authority to determine the Employees to whom Shares of
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be granted, the number of
Shares of Restricted Stock and/or the number of Restricted Stock Units to be
granted to each Participant, the duration of the period during which, and the
conditions under which, the Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be
forfeited to the Company, and the other terms and conditions of such Awards.

          (b) Transfer Restrictions.  Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted
              ---------------------                                            
Stock Units may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise
encumbered, except, in the case of Restricted Stock, as provided in the Plan or
the applicable Award Agreements.  Certificates issued in respect of Shares of
Restricted Stock shall be registered in the name of the 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
Participant and deposited by such Participant, together with a stock power
endorsed in blank, with the Company. Upon the lapse of the restrictions
applicable to such Shares of Restricted Stock, the Company shall deliver such
certificates to the Participant or the Participant's legal representative.

          (c) Payment.  Each Restricted Stock Unit shall have a value equal to
              -------                                                         
the Fair Market Value of a Share.  Restricted Stock Units shall be paid in cash,
Shares, other securities or other property, as determined in the sole discretion
of the Board, upon the lapse of the restrictions applicable thereto, or
otherwise in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement.

          (d) Dividends and Distributions.  Dividends and other distributions
              ---------------------------                                    
paid on or in respect of any Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock
Units may be paid directly to the Participant, or may be reinvested in
additional Shares of Restricted Stock or in additional Restricted Stock Units,
as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

8.        PERFORMANCE AWARDS

          (a) Grant.  The Board shall have sole and complete authority to
              -----                                                      
determine the Employees who shall receive a "Performance Award," which shall
consist of a right that is (i) denominated in cash or Shares, (ii) valued, as
determined by the Board, in accordance with the achievement of such performance
goals during such performance periods as the Board shall establish, and (iii)
payable at such time and in such form as the Board shall determine.

          (b) Terms and Conditions.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any
              --------------------                                           
applicable Award Agreement, the Board shall determine the performance goals to
be achieved during any performance period, the length of any performance period,
the amount of any Performance Award and the amount and kind of any payment or
transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award.

          (c) Payment of Performance Awards.  Performance Awards may be paid in
              -----------------------------                                    
a lump sum or in installments following the close of the performance period or,
in accordance with procedures established by the Board, on a deferred basis.

9.        OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.

          The Board shall have authority to grant to Participants an "Other
Stock-Based Award," which shall consist of any right that is (i) not an Award
described in Sections 5 through 8 above and (ii) an Award of Shares or an Award
denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or
otherwise based on or related to, Shares (including, without limitation,
securities convertible into Shares), as deemed by the Board to be consistent
with the purposes of the Plan.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable Award Agreement, the Board shall determine the terms and conditions
of any such Other Stock-Based Award.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
10.       NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS.

          Except as otherwise determined by the Board, Non-Employee Directors
shall receive Awards in accordance with this Section.  Except as otherwise
provided in this Section, Awards to Non-Employee Directors shall be subject to
the remaining provisions of the Plan.

          (a) Initial Grant.  Each Non-Employee Director shall receive, upon the
              -------------                                                     
later of the Company's initial public offering or initial election to the Board
as a Non-Employee Director, a Non-Qualified Stock Option to acquire 4,000
Shares.

          (b) Annual Grants.  Effective as of the date of each annual meeting of
              -------------                                                     
the Company's shareholders at which directors are elected or reelected to the
Board, each Non-Employee Director who has not received a grant pursuant to
paragraph (a) above since the immediately preceding annual meeting of the
Company's shareholders shall receive an Option to acquire 2,000 Shares.

          (c) Terms of Initial Grants and Annual Grants.  The exercise price per
              -----------------------------------------                         
Share of each Option granted to a Non-Employee Director shall be the Fair Market
Value of a Share on the Grant Date.  Options shall vest ratably and become
exercisable in one-third increments on each anniversary of the Grant Date.
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, Options shall expire 10 years
from the Grant Date.  Unvested Options shall immediately vest and become
exercisable if an individual ceases to be a director on account of death,
disability or retirement at normal retirement age for directors, and shall
remain exercisable until the normal expiration of the Option.  Upon termination
as a director for any other reason other than Cause, unvested Options shall be
forfeited and vested Options shall remain exercisable for three months following
the termination date.  Upon termination as a Director for Cause, all Options
(whether or not vested) shall be forfeited as of the termination date.

          (d) Deferred Stock Unit Grants.  The Board may grant Deferred Stock
              --------------------------                                     
Units to Non-Employee Directors in lieu of all or any portion of the annual
retainer or meeting fees otherwise payable to the Non-Employee Directors.  Each
Deferred Stock Unit shall entitle the Non-Employee Director to receive one Share
or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the payment
date, on terms and conditions established by the Board.  The Board may also
permit Non-Employee Directors to elect to defer receipt of Shares or cash to be
paid pursuant to Deferred Stock Units in accordance with a deferred compensation
policy to be established by the Company.

11.       TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE

          The Board shall have the full power and authority to determine the
terms and conditions that shall apply to any Award upon a termination of
employment/service, including a termination by the Company without Cause, by a
Participant voluntarily, or by reason of death, Disability or Retirement.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
12.       CHANGE IN CONTROL.

          In the event that the Company engages in a transaction constituting a
Change in Control, the Board shall have complete authority and discretion, but
not the obligation, to accelerate the vesting of outstanding Awards and the
termination of restrictions on Shares.  As part of any agreement in connection
with a Change in Control, the Board may also negotiate terms providing
protection for Participants, including, the assumption of any Awards outstanding
under the Plan or the substitution of similar awards for those outstanding under
the Plan.

13.       AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.

          (a) Amendments to the Plan.   The Board may amend, alter, suspend,
              ----------------------                                        
discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided
that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination
shall be made without stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to
comply with any tax or regulatory requirement for which or with which the Board
deems it necessary or desirable to comply.

          (b) Amendments to Awards.  The Board may waive any conditions or
              --------------------                                        
rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or
terminate, any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively;
provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension,
discontinuance, cancellation, or termination that  would adversely affect the
rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore
granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the
affected Participant, holder, or beneficiary.

          (c) Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or
              --------------------------------------------------------------
Nonrecurring Events.  The Board is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the
- -------------------                                                            
terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of
unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events
described in Section 3(c) hereof) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the
financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in
applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Board
determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available
under the Plan; provided that no such adjustment shall be authorized to the
extent that such authority would be inconsistent with the Plan's meeting the
requirements of Section 162(m) unless otherwise determined by the Board.

          (d) Cancellation.  Any provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement
              ------------                                                    
to the contrary notwithstanding, the Board may cause any Award granted hereunder
to be canceled in consideration of a cash payment or alternative Award made to
the holder of such canceled Award equal in value to the Fair Market Value of
such canceled Award.

14.       GENERAL PROVISIONS.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
          (a) Dividend Equivalents.  In the sole and complete discretion of the
              --------------------                                             
Board, an Award may provide the Participant with dividends or dividend
equivalents, payable in cash, Shares, other securities or other property on a
current or deferred basis.

          (b) Nontransferability.  Except to the extent provided in an Award
              ------------------                                            
Agreement, no Award shall be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or
otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant, except by will or the laws
of descent and distribution.

          (c) No Rights to Awards.   No Employee, Participant or other Person
              -------------------                                            
shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for
uniformity of treatment of Employees, Non-Employee Directors, consultants,
Participants, or holders or beneficiaries of Awards.  The terms and conditions
of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

          (d) Share Certificates.   All certificates for Shares or other
              ------------------                                        
securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan pursuant to
any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders
and other restrictions as the Board may deem advisable under the Plan or the
rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon
which such Shares or other securities are then listed, and any applicable
Federal or state laws, and the Board may cause a legend or legends to be put on
any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

          (e) Withholding.  A Participant may be required to pay to the Company
              -----------                                                      
or any Affiliate and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is
hereby authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer
made under any Award or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount
owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, other
Awards or other property) of any applicable withholding or other taxes in
respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under an Award or
under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion
of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes.  The
Board may provide for additional cash payments to holders of Awards to defray or
offset any tax arising from the grant, vesting, exercise, or payments of any
Award.

          (f) Award Agreements.  Each Award hereunder shall be evidenced by an
              ----------------                                                
Award Agreement that shall be delivered to the Participant and shall specify the
terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto.

          (g) No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements.    Nothing contained
              -------------------------------------------                      
in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or
continuing in  effect other compensation arrangements, which may, but need not,
provide for the grant of options, restricted stock, Shares and other types of
Awards provided for hereunder (subject to stockholder approval if such approval
is required), and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or
applicable only in specific cases.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
          (h) No Right to Employment.  The grant of an Award shall not be
              ----------------------                                     
construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the
Company or any Affiliate.  Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time
dismiss a Participant from employment, free from any liability or any claim
under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award
Agreement.

          (i) No Rights as Stockholder.  Subject to the provisions of the
              ------------------------                                   
applicable Award, no Participant or holder or beneficiary of any Award shall
have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed
under the Plan until he or she has become the holder of such Shares.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with each grant of Restricted Stock
hereunder, the applicable Award shall specify if and to what extent the
Participant shall not be entitled to the rights of a stockholder in respect of
such Restricted Stock.
 
          (j) Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan
              -------------                                                    
and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall
be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without
giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.

          (k) Severability.   If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or
              ------------                                                   
becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any
Award under any law deemed applicable by the Board, such provision shall be
construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot
be construed or deemed amended without, in  the determination of the Board,
materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be
stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan
and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

          (l) Other Laws.   The Board may refuse to issue or transfer any Shares
              ----------                                                        
or other consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole discretion, it
determines that the issuance or transfer of such Shares or such other
consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation or entitle the
Company to recover the same under Section 16(b), and any payment tendered to the
Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the
exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant,
holder, or beneficiary.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no
Award granted hereunder shall be construed as an offer to sell securities of the
Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until the Board in
its sole discretion has determined that any such offer, if made, would be in
compliance with all applicable requirements of the U.S. federal securities laws
and any other laws to which such offer, if made, would be subject.

          (m) No Trust or Fund Created.  Neither the Plan nor any Award shall
              ------------------------                                       
create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a
fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or
any other Person.  To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive
payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right
shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the
Company or any Affiliate.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
          (n) No Fractional Shares.  No fractional Shares shall be issued or
              --------------------                                          
delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Board shall determine
whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred
in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights
thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.

          (o) Headings.  Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of
              --------                                                        
the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference.  Such headings shall
not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or
interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

          (p) Parachute Payments.  The Board may provide in an Award Agreement
              ------------------                                              
that no amounts shall be paid or considered paid to the extent that any such
payments would be nondeductible by the Company under Code Section 280G.

          (q) Pooling.  If any Award, or any provision of any Award, granted
              -------                                                       
under the Plan would prevent a transaction from being accounted for as a pooling
of interests (in the opinion of the Company's accountants), the Award, or the
provision, may be deleted or amended by the Board in its sole discretion.  No
consent shall be required to void or amend the Award or the provision.


15.       TERM OF THE PLAN.

          (a) Effective Date.  The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective
              --------------                                                  
Date provided it has been approved by the Company's stockholders.

          (b) Expiration Date.  No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted under
              ---------------                                                   
the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.  Unless otherwise
expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award
granted hereunder may, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend,
alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any
conditions or rights under any such Award shall, continue after the authority
for grant of new Awards hereunder has been exhausted.

16.       DEFINITIONS.

          As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:

          "Affiliate" shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is
controlled by the Company, (ii) any entity in which the Company has a
significant equity interest and (iii) an affiliate of the Company as defined in
Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in either case as
determined by the Committee.

          "Annual Service Period" means an annual period determined by the
Board, which annual period shall be January 1 through December 31 or such other
annual period as may be designated from time to time by the Board.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
          "Award" shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted
Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award or other Stock-Based Award
or any Award granted to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to Section 10.

          "Award Agreement" shall mean any written agreement, contract, or other
instrument or document evidencing any Award, which shall not become effective
until executed or acknowledged by a Participant.

          "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

          "Cause" shall mean, unless otherwise defined in the applicable Award
Agreement, a determination by the Committee that a Participant has: (1)
committed an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty or breach of fiduciary duty
to the Company; (2) deliberately and repeatedly violated the rules of the
Company or the valid instructions of the Board or an authorized officer of the
Company; (3) made any unauthorized disclosure of any of the material secrets or
confidential information of the Company; or (4) engaged in any conduct that
could reasonably be expected to result in material loss, damage or injury to the
Company.

          "Change in Control" shall mean, unless otherwise defined in the
applicable Award Agreement, the earliest to occur of: (1) any one "person" (as
such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than
(A) the Company, (B) Rheinbraun A.G. and Rheinbraun US GmbH, (C) any trustee or
other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company, and (D) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the
stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership of Shares), or more than one "person" acting as a "group", is or
becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act)
of Shares that, together with the Shares held by such "person" or "group",
possess more than 50% of the total Fair Market Value or total voting power of
the Shares; (2) a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any 12
month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a
majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or
election; or (3) the sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

          "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.

          "Committee" shall mean a committee of the Board designated by the
Board to administer the Plan.  To the extent deemed appropriate by the Board,
the Committee shall be composed of not less than two individuals who are
"outside directors" within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and "non-employee
directors" within the meaning of Section 16.

          "Company" shall mean CONSOL Energy Inc.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
          "Deferred Stock Unit" means a right, granted to Non-Employee Directors
in accordance with Section 10, to acquire a Share for no consideration or some
other amount determined by the Board.

          "Disability" shall mean, unless otherwise defined in the applicable
Award Agreement, a Participant's inability, because of physical or mental
incapacity or injury (that has continued for a period of at least 12 consecutive
calendar months), to perform for the Company or an affiliate substantially the
same services as he or she performed prior to incurring such incapacity or
injury.

          "Effective Date" shall mean March  __, 1999.

          "Employee" shall mean an employee or consultant of the Company or of
any Affiliate, including any individual who enters into an employment agreement
with the Company or an Affiliate which provides for commencement of employment
within three months of the date of the agreement.

          "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

          "Fair Market Value" shall mean the fair market value of the property
or other item being valued, as determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion.  Fair Market Value with respect to the Shares, as of any date, shall
mean (i) if the Shares are listed on a securities exchange or are traded over
the NASDAQ National Market System, the closing sales price of the Shares on such
exchange or over such system on such date, or in the absence of reported sales
on such date, the closing sales price on the immediately preceding date on which
sales were reported, (ii) if the Shares are not so listed or traded, the mean
between the bid and offered prices of the Shares as quoted by the National
Association of Securities Dealers through NASDAQ for such date or (iii) in the
event there is no public market for the Shares, the fair market value as
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

          "Grant Date" means, with respect to an Award, date on which the Board
makes the determination to grant such Award, or such other date as is determined
by the Board.  Within a reasonable time thereafter, the Company will execute and
deliver an Award Agreement to the Participant.

          "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean a right to purchase Shares from
the Company that is granted under Section 5 of the Plan and that is intended to
meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision
thereto.

          "Non-Employee Director" means a director who is not an employee of the
Company or any of its Affiliates.

          "Non-Qualified Stock Option" shall mean a right to purchase Shares
from the Company that is granted under Section 5 of the Plan and that is not
intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
          "Option" shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock
Option and shall include a Restoration Option.

          "Other Stock-Based Award" shall mean any right granted under Section 9
of the Plan.

          "Participant" shall mean any Employee or Non-Employee Director who
receives an Award under the Plan.

          "Performance Award" shall mean any right granted under Section 8 of
the Plan.

          "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government
or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

          "Plan" shall mean this CONSOL Energy Inc. Equity Incentive Plan.

          "Restoration Option" shall mean an Option granted pursuant to Section
5(e) of the Plan.

          "Restricted Stock" shall mean any Share granted under Section 7 of the
Plan.

          "Restricted Stock Unit" shall mean any unit granted under Section 7 of
the Plan.

          "Retirement" shall mean with respect to a Participant other than a
Non-Employee Director retirement of a Participant from the employ or service of
the Company or any of its Affiliates in accordance with the terms of the
applicable Company retirement plan or, if a Participant is not covered by any
such plan, retirement on or after such Participant's 65th birthday, unless
otherwise defined in the applicable Award Agreement.

          "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
successor thereto and shall include the staff thereof.

          "Section 16" shall mean Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules
promulgated thereunder and any successor provision thereto as in effect from
time to time.

          "Section 162(m)" shall mean Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 and the rules promulgated thereunder or any successor provision
thereto as in effect from time to time.

          "Shares" shall mean shares of the common stock, $.01 par value, of the
Company, or such other securities of the Company as may be designated by the
Committee from time to time.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
          "Stock Appreciation Right" shall mean any right granted under 
Section 6 of the Plan.

          "Substitute Awards" shall mean Awards granted in assumption of, or in
substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by
the Company or with which the Company combines.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CONSOL Energy Inc. has executed this Plan on 
February __, 1999, effective as of March __, 1999.

                              CONSOL Energy Inc.


                              By:       (name)
                                 ---------------------------------
                                 Its:     (title)
                                     -----------------------------

                                      -15-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 11

        STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF PRO FORMA EARNINGS PER SHARE
                (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Numerator
     Net Income numerator for basic earnings
     per share

     Pro forma net income
               Net income                             $    174,637
               Pro forma reduction of interest                  48
               expense, net of tax                             
                                                      ------------

                                                      $    174,685
                                                      ============

Denominator
     Denominator for basic earnings per share
     weighted shares outstanding
     adjusted for stock split                            57,667,558
 
     Dilutive effect of stock options to be
     awarded upon consummation of the offering                   --
 
     Shares to be offered (excluding over-
     allotment option)                                    22,600,000
                                                        ------------
                                                          80,267,558
                                                        ============
Pro forma earnings per share                            $       2.18
                                                        ============

<PAGE>
 
                                      EXHIBIT 21
                                      ----------

                     SUBSIDIARIES OF CONSOL ENERGY INC. (CONSOL)
                     -------------------------------------------


                                             JURISDICTION
                                                  OF              PERCENTAGE 
         NAME OF CONSOL SUBSIDIARY(1)        INCORPORATION        OWNED
         ----------------------------        -------------        ----------

         1881 Group Inc.                     Pennsylvania         100%

         Allegheny Highlands Realty          Pennsylvania         100%
           Company

         Beatrice Pocahontas Company         Delaware             100%

         Cardinal River Coals Ltd.           Alberta, Canada       50%

         Cargo Dockers LTD                   Canada               100%

         Church Street Holdings, Inc.        Delaware             100%

         Colorap Development Corp.           Pennsylvania         100%

         Conrhein Coal Company               Pennsylvania         100%
           (Partnership)                    

         CONSOL Docks Inc.                   Delaware             100%

         CONSOL Foreign Sales                Barbados             100%
           Corporation

         Consolidation Coal Company          Delaware             100%

         Consolidation Coal Company,         Nevada               100%
           Inc.

         Consolidation Coal Operating        Delaware             100%
           Company

         Consolidation Coal Sales            Delaware             100%
           Company

         CONSOL Inc.                         Delaware             100%

         CONSOL of Canada Inc.               Delaware             100%

         CONSOL of Kentucky Inc.             Delaware             100%

         CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal            Delaware             100%
           Company

         CONSOL Sales Company                Delaware             100%
                                                                      
         Cordin LTD                          Canada               100%

         Cowanshannock Coal Company,         Pennsylvania         100%
           Inc.                             

         DSB Company                         Pennsylvania         100%

         DUPECH Inc.                         Delaware             100%

         Eighty-Four Mining Company          Pennsylvania         100%

         Fairmont Supply Company             Delaware             100%

         Godefroid Coal Trading and          Belgium              100%
           Shipping S.A.


                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
                                             JURISDICTION
                                                  OF              PERCENTAGE 
         NAME OF CONSOL SUBSIDIARY(1)        INCORPORATION        OWNED
         ----------------------------        -------------        ----------

         Greenon Coal Company                Delaware             100%

         Hammer Coal Company                 Delaware             100%

         Helvetia Coal Company               Pennsylvania         100%

         Island Creek Coal Company           Delaware             100%

         IC Coal, Inc.                       Delaware             100%

         Island Creek Corporation            Delaware             100%

         Island Creek Mining Company         Delaware             100%

         Jeffco Coal Company                 Pennsylvania         100%

         Kent Coal Mining Company            Pennsylvania         100%

         Keystone Coal Mining Corp.          Pennsylvania         100%

         Laurel Run Mining Company           Virginia             100%

         Leatherwood Inc.                    Pennsylvania         100%

         Lucerne Land Company                Pennsylvania         100%

         Mary Margaret Mining Company        Pennsylvania         100%

         Maud Mining Company                 Pennsylvania         100%

         McElroy Coal Company                Delaware             100%
                                                                      
         MTB Inc.                            Delaware             100%

         Neptune Bulk Terminals              British Columbia    18.8%
                                                
         New Century Holding, Inc.           Delaware            100%

         Nineveh Coal Company                Pennsylvania        100%

         O'Donnell Coal Company              Pennsylvania        100%

         Pocahontas Gas Partnership          Virgina              50%

         Potomac Coal Company                West Virginia       100%
                                                
         Pyrra Mining Company                Pennsylvania        100%

         Quarto Mining Company               Ohio                100%

         Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Co.     Canada              100%
           (Canada) - Limited

         Reserve Coal Properties Company     Delaware            100%

         RFC Fuel Corporation                New York            100%

         Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal         Pennsylvania        100%
           Company                          

         Societe Europeene des Charbons      Belgium             100%
           S.A.

         Subco, Inc.                         Pennsylvania        100%


                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
                                             JURISDICTION
                                                  OF             PERCENTAGE 
         NAME OF CONSOL SUBSIDIARY(1)        INCORPORATION       OWNED
         ----------------------------        -------------       ----------
                                                
         Supreme Coal Company                Pennsylvania        100%

         The White Star Coal Co., Inc.       New York            100%

         Twin Rivers Towing Company          Delaware            100%

         United Eastern Coal Sales           Pennsylvania        100%
           Corporation                      

         United Southern Coal Sales          Ohio                100%
           Corporation

         Welco Mining Company                Delaware            100%

         Wescto Coal Company                 Pennsylvania        100%
                                                     
         Wolfpen Knob Development            Virginia            100%
           Company

         Young Township Coal Company,        Pennsylvania        100%
           Inc.                             


    1.    None of the CONSOL subsidiaries does business under a name other
          than its corporate name.



                                      -3-

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

 
                         CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP



    
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Prospectus Summary",
"Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data" and "Experts" and to the
use of our report dated February 15, 1999 (except Note 23, as to which the 
date is February 26, 1999), with the respect to the financial statements of
CONSOL Energy Inc. included in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 and the
related Prospectus for the registration of shares of its common stock.     
         

                               /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 22, 1999

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.2

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that John L. Whitmire hereby constitutes and
appoints J. Brett Harvey and Daniel L. Fassio, and each of them acting singly,
as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to act, without the other, for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1
of CONSOL Energy Inc. (Registration No. 333-68987), including any subsequent
registration statement for the same offering that may be filed under Rule
462(b), and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Power 
of Attorney on this 18th day of March, 1999.

                        /s/ John L. Whitmire
                        --------------------
                        John L. Whitmire

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS                 YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          39,986                  18,788                  31,284
<SECURITIES>                                   354,273                 114,829                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  301,783                 282,598                 289,333
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    132,677                 140,724                 170,574
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               926,232                 670,239                 615,189
<PP&E>                                       4,351,574               4,506,797               4,844,035
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,872,996               2,067,707               2,157,023
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,857,508               3,548,011               3,863,390
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          568,202                 592,926               1,217,617
<BONDS>                                        394,933                 389,618                 315,095
                                0                       0                       0
                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                           100                     100                     577
<OTHER-SE>                                     578,876                 302,665               (103,798)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,857,508               3,548,011               3,863,390
<SALES>                                      2,336,014               2,285,197               2,295,430
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,396,954               2,349,638               2,349,992
<CGS>                                        2,163,745               2,070,086               2,089,372
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,163,745               2,070,086               2,137,510
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              44,510                  45,876                  48,138
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                188,699                 233,676                 212,482
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,970                  49,887                  37,845
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            152,729                 183,789                 174,637
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   152,729                 183,789                 174,637
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0                       0 
        

</TABLE>


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