(The Associated Press circulated the following on July 19.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Railroad operator CSX Corp. paid McGlotten & Jarvis $40,000 in the first half of 2007 to lobby the federal government, according to a disclosure form.
The firm lobbied on legislation related to global warming and railroad security issues, according to the form posted online Tuesday by the Senate’s public records office.
In March, CSX said it was the first railroad company to join a federal program to set voluntary targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
But the company, which is a major shipper of coal, is also among a number of railroad operators that is spending money to upgrade the nation’s coal transportation network since coal accounts for about one-fifth – or $11 billion in 2006 – of the industry’s revenue.
In that regard, the railroad industry has joined mining and utility companies in touting the benefits of coal, which produces about half the nation’s electricity. However, coal also produces more carbon dioxide – a contributor to global warming – than other fossil fuels.
While critics have accused the industry of lobbying against legislation limiting carbon emissions or new taxes on companies that emit carbon dioxide, railroad representatives have said they are pushing for policies favorable to transporting coal, not against environmental regulations.
Under a federal law enacted in 1995, lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches. They must register with Congress within 45 days of being hired or engaging in lobbying.