WASHINGTON - Union Pacific Corp., the nation's largest freight railroad, spent more than $1.3 million in the second quarter to lobby on energy matters, environmental conservation and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report as reported by the Associated Press.
The Omaha, Neb.-based company also lobbied on legislation involving freight rail capacity expansion, rail infrastructure and development, antitrust issues and Amtrak.
Congress is considering legislation, which is supported by a coalition of more than 3,500 electric, utility, chemical and manufacturing companies, that would subject railroads to more stringent antitrust standards. Some customers say the railroads charge unreasonably high and arbitrary rates, and offer poor service.
Besides Congress, Union Pacific lobbied the Environmental Protection Agency and others in the April-June period, according to the report filed July 17 with the House clerk's office.
(This item was distributed Aug. 1, 2008, by the Associated Press.)