IBM spent $1.1 million on lobbying in 4Q; ’smart’ grids and cybersecurity noted

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IBM spent $1.1 million on lobbying in 4Q

WASHINGTON — IBM Corp. spent $1.1 million on lobbying Congress and other government agencies in the fourth quarter, slightly more than what the technology company spent in the same quarter last year.

One focus of IBM’s lobbying has been on legislation surrounding the rollout of “smart” power technologies, such as new meters that transmit data to utilities in real-time.

IBM helps utilities deploy those technologies for a fee. Those jobs require specialized technical experience and can carry high profit margins.

According to IBM’s latest lobbying-disclosure form, which was filed with the House clerk’s office, the company lobbied the House and Senate, the Department of Energy and other government agencies on legislation surrounding “smart” power grids.

IBM also lobbied Congress, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies regarding U.S. trade agreements and other issues involving international sales.

It lobbied the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Commerce and Congress about cybersecurity.

In the last three months of 2009, IBM made $4.8 billion in profit on $27.2 billion in revenue.