Alcoa spent $480K lobbying government in 1Q

Alcoa Inc., the largest U.S. aluminum producer, spent $480,000 in the first quarter to lobby the federal government on energy and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report. That's nearly 8 percent less than the Pittsburgh-based company spent on lobbying in the fourth quarter of 2008. Aluminum production requires large amounts of electricity, and Alcoa ( AA - news - people )'s smelting operations depend on power contracts. Alcoa also lobbied on "cap-and-trade" climate issues, defense appropriations related to naval, air and ground programs, labor matters, the federal economic stimulus package, and international taxes. Alcoa last month reported a loss of $497 million for the first quarter - its second consecutive quarterly loss - citing slumping prices and demand for the lightweight metal. It has announced a broad range of cost-cutting measures in recent months. In the January-March period, Alcoa lobbied Congress and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, according to the report filed April 14 with the House clerk's office. Alcoa produces aluminum and uses it to make products such as truck wheels and airplane wing parts. source:www.forbes.com