In presenting the award, SME president Thomas O'Neil said Palmer earned the distinction "for his outstanding work in the legal and political arenas, as an advisor, operator and counsel, championing efforts to ensure that decisions regarding the future of fossil energy are based upon sound science and economics."

Palmer joined Peabody in 2001 and is responsible for legal, state and federal government affairs activities for Peabody.

He is a member of the California and District of Columbia Bar Associations. He also served as chairman for the Environmental Information Council, president of the board of directors for the Greening Earth Society and chairman of the National Mining Association's legal committee and climate change task force.

SME is an international society of professionals in the minerals industry with more than 13,000 members in nearly 100 countries.