(The Associated Press circulated the following on March 12.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Railroad operator Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. spent more than $3.1 million to lobby the federal government in 2007.
The company lobbied on legislation dealing with the environment, delivering coal and climate change; railroad competition, antitrust exemptions and safety; asbestos litigation reform and more, according to a disclosure form posted online Feb. 13 by the Senate’s public records office. The Fort Worth, Texas-based company spent more than $2.2 million in the second half of 2007 to lobby on those issues.
Lawmakers are considering legislation, which is supported by a coalition of more than 3,500 electric, utility, chemical and manufacturing companies, that would subject railroads to stiffer antitrust standards.
Besides Congress, BNSF lobbied the departments of Energy and Transportation. Michael Smythers, who previously worked in the White House, was among those lobbying on the company’s behalf.
Lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches, under a federal law enacted in 1995.