Peabody Energy Corp. asked a U.S. judge on Wednesday to allow it to pay up to $11.9 million in bonuses for six top executives if the global coal producer meets performance targets and emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The incentive package, which for the first time includes targets for cleaning up coal pits, would raise the pay for the company’s chief executive officer to $3.9 million from $1 million if all targets are met.

Peabody said in a filing with U.S. Bankruptcy Court in St. Louis on Wednesday that the incentives for its executive leadership team will help the company maximize the value of its estate for the benefit of all stakeholders.

U.S. courts often give bankrupt companies the nod to make special bonus payments to senior management for meeting performance goals, although the plans are sometimes defeated by opposition from the U.S. bankruptcy watchdog and unions.

Rival coal producer Alpha Natural Resources Inc. received court approval to pay up to $6.8 million to 15 participants after arguing that the incentives were essential to ensuring a successful reorganization. Alpha emerged from bankruptcy in July.