Alcoa spends $560,000 to lobby gov't in 1Q

Aluminum manufacturer Alcoa spends $560,000 to lobby on cap-and-trade, defense spending

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Aluminum manufacturing giant Alcoa Inc. spent $560,000 to lobby Congress and federal agencies in the first quarter on issues ranging from cap-and-trade legislation to defense spending, according to a recent disclosure report.

The total compares with $480,000 that the Pittsburgh company spent on lobbying in the first quarter of 2009 and $340,000 in the fourth quarter.

Among the issues Alcoa discussed was climate legislation, including credit for early action and international trade implications.

Other topics included hydroelectric generating facilities, power availability from the Bonneville Power Association and the Tennessee Valley Authority as well as defense appropriations for air and naval programs, according to a report filed April 13 with the House clerk's office.