WASHINGTON - The nuclear energy industry's main trade group spent $1.3 million to lobby the federal government in 2007, according to a disclosure form.
The Nuclear Energy Institute lobbied on various appropriations bills, including those dealing with energy and water development and the restructruing of the electric utility industry.
The group, whose members include Duke Energy Corp., Exelon Corp. and PPL Corp., spent $620,00 in the second half of 2007, according to the lobbying form posted online Feb. 13 by the Senate's public records office.
Last year, a handful of power companies submitted the first applications for new nuclear reactors in the U.S. in nearly 30 years, but none has committed to building the multibillion-dollar plants.
Besides Congress, the institute lobbied the White House, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Government Accountability Office and the departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Transportation and State.
Lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches, under a federal law enacted in 1995.