Union Pacific spends $1.66 million lobbying the federal government in 1st quarter
(The Associated Press circulated the following on May 17, 2010.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. Union Pacific Corp., the nation's largest railroad, spent $1.66 million lobbying the federal government in the first three months of this year, according to a recent disclosure report.
That's less than the $1.72 million the company spent in the year-ago period, but above the $1.38 million spent in the fourth quarter of 2009.
The railroad lobbied the House of Representatives and the Senate on issues related to energy and budgetary policy, economic regulatory structure and high speed rail. The company also lobbied against a bill to repeal railroad exemptions from antitrust laws and for a bill to encourage investment in railroad infrastructure.
Union Pacific, which is based in Omaha, Neb., also monitored and opposed certain aspects of a rule that requires railroads to install new technology that would aim to prevent accidents such as the collision between a Union Pacific train and commuter railroad in California in 2008.