Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe

By Janet Gellici, CAE, ACC Chief Executive Officer

Do you remember that playground game you used to play as a kid to decide who was “it” or who was in or out?

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

I was reminded of this game by a political cartoon I recently saw that pictured a number of judges on a court bench. One judge leans over to the judge next to him and whispers “Don’t spread it around, but on the really tough ones, I just go with eeny, meeny, miny, moe.”

When we were kids, eeny, meeny, miny, moe was an easy, impartial way for us to make a decision. Of course, the decisions we were making back then weren’t exactly life-altering. And while the cynical side of us may sometimes believe that our public policymakers are making eeny, meeny, miny, moe decisions, we know it’s not that easy or that impartial.

The articles in this issue of American Coal provide some insights into the magnitude and scope of the decisions policymakers are addressing, as well as the implications of those decisions for coal suppliers, consumers and transporters, among others – including U.S. citizens. Those citizens certainly made their decisions clear in November 2010. Patrick Traylor with Hogan & Hartson reviews the changing face of Congress and how key energy and environment Committee roles will factor into forthcoming policy decisions.

We also hear from the Honorable Ed Whitfield (R-KY), a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, who, on accepting the role of Chair of the Subcommittee on Energy & Power noted that “We must embrace an ‘all of the above’ energy policy that includes natural gas, nuclear, coal and domestic resource exploration. With an ‘all of the above’ strategy, we can safely and responsibly develop our own natural energy resources and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy – both of which are essential to our national security.” Congressman Whitfield shares with us the potential and challenges of his Subcommittee to advance those objectives.