Applied Materials spent $320,000 lobbying government on renewable energy legislation in 1Q

Applied Materials spent $320,000 on lobbying in 1Q

NEW YORK — Applied Materials Inc. spent $320,000 lobbying the federal government in the first quarter of the year on energy legislation and other issues.

That’s more than double the $130,000 the company spent in the same quarter a year ago, according to congressional disclosure forms, but down from $470,000 spent in the quarter before.

Applied Materials provides technology used by solar panel and semiconductor manufacturers. It lobbied the U.S. House, Senate and various federal agencies on the American Clean Energy & Security Act, which would establish a cap-and-trade system to set limits on greenhouse gas emissions.

The company also listed a House bill that would direct the Energy Department to establish a solar energy research program.