Power industry spending on federal lobbying declines

Dive Brief:

Major power companies and trade associations spent less in the first quarter of 2015 on federal lobbying efforts than they did the year before, although the largest players still spend more than $2 million each.
Southern Co. spent almost $3 million in the first quarter -- the most of any power company -- with Duke Energy and Exelon rounding out the top three donors.
The Edison Electric Institute was the biggest spender among the trade groups, spending more than $2 million in lobbying during Q1 2015.

Dive Insight:

Spending by energy companies and trade groups declined in the first quarter compared to last year, according to SNL analysis. Companies focused on a broad swath of issues including tax reforms, Keystone Pipeline, renewables and security issues.

Southern led the pack, spending $2.9 million on first quarter lobbying compared to more than $3.5 million the year before. Duke's lobbying efforts of around $2 million were largely unchanged, and Exelon's $2.3 million was a small decline from $2.5 million the year before.

Edison Electric, American Public Power Association and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association spent a combined $2.8 million during Q1 2015, down from $3.4 million the year before.

While federal lobbying efforts -- including lobbyist salaries, travel and legal expenses -- declined in the first quarter, state energy lobbying efforts have also been in the news of late.

Koch Industries, the Kansas Chamber and the Koch-funded lobbying group Americans for Prosperity managed to force wind advocates in Kansas to roll back the state's 20% renewables mandate, turning it instead into a voluntary goal. And in Louisiana, consumer advocates are urging limits on utility lobbying efforts.

The Alliance for Affordable Energy issued a report finding that over a six-year period five regulated utilities gave almost $200,000 to commissioners at the Louisiana Public Service Commission, which are elected. The group is urging campaign laws be aligned with nearby states like Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama, which ban political contributions from regulated utilities.