(The Associated Press circulated the following on May 13, 2010.)
NEW YORK — The Association of American Railroads spent $1.7 million to lobby the federal government in the first quarter, according to a recent disclosure report.
That’s down significantly from the $3.7 million the North American railroad industry’s main trade group spent in the fourth-quarter of 2009 and the $2.8 million it spent in the first quarter last year.
The group lobbied the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate on bills to create more “clean energy” jobs, create energy independence and reduce pollution. Railroads are considered a “greener” alternative to trucking because rails can haul more freight using less fuel.
AAR also lobbied on a bill to reauthorize the Surface Transportation Board, which governs the railroad industry, a bill to amend federal antitrust laws and a bill to provide incentives to invest in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure, as well as appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Homeland Security.