About

Employers for Renewable Energy (ERE) is a coalition of job creators who support state policies that enable greater customer choice for renewable energy. ERE provides state policymakers with tools to deliver customer choice, strong competition among producers and new economic development.

Situation

More American companies are demanding renewable energy options to power their businesses than ever before, proving that sustainability and profitability are not mutually exclusive. Companies from a variety of industries understand that clean energy makes sound business sense and impacts their bottom lines. American businesses want the choice to run on cost-effective renewable energy that makes economic sense.

Challenge

As technology companies, retailers, and manufacturers grow their footprint, the locations they select for expansion largely depend on lower costs, access to talent, and modern facilities. Energy procurement is a large cost driver in these decisions. Policies that stifle the ability of companies to adopt renewable energy with inhibitive or unclear procedures hurt their state’s growth potential. Those states are at serious risk of missing opportunities to welcome in coalition members looking to move, expand and create jobs.

Who We Are

Joe Rinzel is the Executive Director of the Employers for Renewable Energy coalition and partner at Align Public Strategies. Rinzel has more than 15 years of experience in government affairs, trade association management, coalition and issue campaign management. He previously ran government affairs at the Retail Industry Leaders Association and was Senior Director of Public Affairs and the lead spokesperson for the nation’s largest individual membership organization of state legislators.

Rinzel works with executives at ERE member companies, David Gardiner and Associates and the Retail Industry Leaders Association to build out the ERE coalition and execute its strategic and tactical priorities.

The Retail Industry Leadership Association (RILA) is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
David Gardiner and Associates is a strategic advisory firm focused on clean energy and sustainability. DGA helps clients develop their strategies, conduct research and analysis, and improve their communications through writing expertise, partnership building, and advocacy. DGA has worked extensively with ERE on strategic planning, state policy campaigns, and research. Other clients include non-profit organizations, foundations, trade associations, and corporations committed to sustainability.