Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU), CONSOL Energy Inc. (CNX), Arch Coal Inc (ACI): King Coal Sends Piles of Cash to U.S. Government

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It’s been a tough few years on the coal industry as cheaper, cleaner natural gas has replaced the dirty fuel in domestic electricity generation. Perhaps then, it is unsurprising that the coal industry spent more than $17 million lobbying the federal government last year. Today we’ll take a look at how much coal companies are spending, what they’re fighting for (or against), and why investors should care.

Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU)

Dollars for bills
For the full-year 2012, the coal lobby had these big spenders to thank:

Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU) – $5.5 million

CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CNX) – $3.9 million

Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE:ANR) – $2.6 million

Arch Coal Inc (NYSE:ACI) – $1.8 million

Patriot Coal – $1.1 million

Compared to the lobbying dollars its fossil fuel cousin big oil is spending, these numbers aren’t that high. Given that the industry is in dire straits – Patriot Coal has already gone bankrupt – one would almost expect the numbers to be higher. But perhaps without these lobbying efforts, things would be far worse for coal. The coal lobby has risen steadily after a big uptick between 2004 and 2005, so let’s see what issues are garnering the most cash these days.

Where does the money go?
A quick jaunt through the Senate’s Lobbying Disclosure Act database reveals exactly what the companies above deem important enough to spend their money on. As investors, you should probably know what they are, so here are three entries from each of the companies listed above, per their first-quarter disclosures.

Peabody Energy:

“HConRes8, Expressing the opposition of Congress to Federal efforts to establish a carbon tax on fuels for electricity and transportation.”

“H.R. 1569, Amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate certain energy tax subsidies and lower the corporate income tax rate.”

“SConRes 4, A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax is not in the economic interest of the United States.”

CONSOL Energy:

“H.R. 4342, Waterways Are Vital for the Economy, Energy, Efficiency and Environment Act of 2012, All Titles”

“H.R. 2273, Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act, All Titles”

“H.R., 6172, To Prohibit EPA from imposing NSPS until CCS is technologically and economically feasible, All Titles”

Alpha Natural Resources:

“Legislation directed at amending current safety standards, regulation and oversight at domestic coal production and processing facilities.”

“Legislative language within pending appropriations bills or continuing resolutions that promote or dissuade investments in coal-fired plants or other coal-related infrastructure domestically or overseas…”

“Legislation to amend current environmental laws to increase federal regulation over the permitting, production, or combustion of domestic coal resources and post-mining reclamation activities, including interpretations of Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdictional scope…”


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