Whirlpool spent $200,000 in 2Q lobbying government on appliance tax credits, other issues

Whirlpool spent $200,000 on lobbying in 2Q

WASHINGTON — Whirlpool Corp., the world’s largest maker of home appliances, spent $200,000 in the second quarter lobbying the federal government on appliance energy tax credits and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report.

That’s more than the $160,000 the group spent in the year-ago period but less than the $280,000 it spent in the first quarter.

Demand for Whirlpool’s washers, dryers and other appliances was hurt by the recession. But in the U.S., sales have picked up because of federal rebates for energy-efficient appliances. Whirlpool, which makes its namesake brand along with Maytag, KitchenAid and Jenn-Air products, also likely benefited from the federal home buyer tax credit that helped spur home sales in the first half of the year, because people are more likely to buy appliances when they move into a new house.

Those benefits are certain to wane in the coming quarters. The home buyer tax credit expired April 30, and many of the state-run programs offering appliance rebates have already ended.

The company also lobbied on energy standards, tariffs on microwaves and laundry work surfaces, pension funding, trade with Korea and other issues in the April-June period.

Besides Congress, the organization lobbied the White House Office, according to the report filed July 20 with the House clerk’s office.