Why It Matters

Occidental Chemical Corp. registered an in-house federal lobbying operation on July 28, according to a new lobbying registration. The filing lists environmental and Superfund policy, along with railroad issues, among the company’s lobbying priorities.

The registration formalizes direct advocacy by a company facing significant federal environmental obligations, including ongoing cleanup work connected to the Diamond Alkali Superfund site in New Jersey.

By the Numbers

Amy Loveng, a vice president at Occidental Chemical, is listed as the company’s registered in-house lobbyist. The registration identifies two general issue areas, including environmental and Superfund policy, and railroads. The filing does not identify specific legislation.

Broader Context

Occidental Chemical has reported lobbying on the Diamond Alkali Superfund site since at least the first quarter of 2023, citing federal advocacy on the issue in subsequent filings through the second quarter of 2024.

The Diamond Alkali site includes a former chemical manufacturing facility in Newark, New Jersey, the Lower Passaic River and the Newark Bay Study Area. EPA says the former Diamond Alkali operation produced pesticides and herbicides, including chemicals used in Agent Orange, and left behind dioxin and other hazardous contamination. Occidental Chemical later became legally responsible for cleanup obligations tied to the former facility.

EPA ordered Occidental Chemical in 2023 to design an interim cleanup for the upper nine miles of the Lower Passaic River. The work includes plans for dredging and capping contaminated sediment, monitoring the river and preparing for long-term maintenance. The company’s inclusion of railroad policy in its new registration also aligns with earlier lobbying records showing Loveng involved in rail safety and tank-car safety matters.

The Bottom Line

Occidental Chemical’s new in-house registration reflects its continued engagement with federal environmental and transportation policy. The company’s advocacy includes Superfund matters connected to the Diamond Alkali cleanup and railroad issues relevant to its operations.

The filing establishes a direct internal lobbying presence but does not indicate whether Occidental Chemical has ended, reduced or replaced any outside lobbying relationships.

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