Contacts: Terrence O'Donnell; Kurtis A. Tunnell; Gregory J. Lestini

For more than 50 years, Bricker & Eckler LLP has been significantly involved in legislative, administrative and regulatory matters in the State of Ohio, and when necessary, we call on the courts to resolve problems. The government relations attorneys in our Green Strategies Group, who are all registered lobbyists, continuously monitor the political climate and drive legislation to help green industries succeed in Ohio.

A prime example of our government relations attorneys’ Green Strategies success includes our representation of Ohio Advanced Energy (“OAE”), the premier statewide business trade association advocating on behalf of the advanced and renewable technology industries.

A partnership initially formed of 20 different companies and organizations, OAE was created to outline a coherent economic growth strategy for Ohio and to persuade state policymakers to chart a new course for our state’s business and manufacturing industries.

Collaborating with the business community as well as environmental advocates, OAE worked extensively on Ohio’s landmark Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard to create a local marketplace for the green technologies that have already transformed so much of the world. Contained in Senate Bill 221, this Standard requires Ohio utilities to derive 25 percent of their electricity from “advanced” and "renewable" resources, such as wind, solar, and clean coal, by 2025.

Representing this trade association, Bricker & Eckler LLP attorneys helped draft and advocate for this strong, realistic Standard that would not cause energy prices to spike. We also worked with policymakers to make sure the legislation did not hinder access to the power grid for consumers generating their own power on-site.

Other recent Green Strategies projects that our government relations attorneys have worked on include the “Third Frontier”, which is Ohio’s largest-ever commitment to expand its high-tech research capabilities and promote innovation and company formation to create high-paying jobs for the future. Bricker & Eckler LLP helps companies and coalitions procure Third Frontier grants, including an $18.6 million grant for Wright Center for Photovoltaics at the University of Toledo and designation as a “Job Ready Sites Program” for Scitech at the “315 Technology Corridor.”

For more information on our government relations practice, visit our Government Relations Group