A New Solution To Clean Energy That Creates Jobs Is Closer Than You Think

Grant Strem grew up in Calgary, where he attended the U of C to pursue a degree in Geology, followed by a Masters in Geology and Geophysics, specializing in Reservoir Characterization. A former oil and gas sector employee, Grant’s interest in science, space propulsion systems and extreme oxidation processes led him to his current position as Chairman and CEO of Proton Technologies Inc.

A local Calgary company launched in 2015, Proton Technologies is currently at the forefront of tech development in the global energy sector. Unearthing the latest in green energy, Proton’s team of experts is exploring a new approach to clean, affordable energy called Hygenic Earth Energy (HEE). This technology has the potential to alter the course of the climate crisis while simultaneously revitalizing the Canadian oil and gas industry.

According to Proton Technologies, a significant amount of oil remains in the ground following production due to a number of factors that make it inaccessible or too expensive to recover. With Hygenic Earth Energy, these abandoned reservoirs, whether they be light or heavy oil, gas, or coal beds, will be repurposed to produce pure hydrogen with absolutely zero emissions.

Hygenic Earth Energy is the result of a Proton Technologies Inc. patented technology in which oxygen is injected into petroleum reservoirs causing a chemical reaction that releases energy in the form of heat. This thermal energy then breaks apart existing water molecules, separating hydrogen from oxygen, which then passes through a specialized hydrogen filter known as a palladium membrane. As a result of the membrane, all other gases remain trapped underground, meaning this process effectively yields pure hydrogen with zero emissions, at a fraction of the cost. While the majority of hydrogen production currently comes from Steam Methane Reformers and ranges between $2 and $3 USD/kg, Proton estimates they will be producing hydrogen for the chemical industry, as well as transportation and power generation purposes, for less than $0.50 USD/kg once systems have been fully optimized.

According to Dr. Ian Gates, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, HEE has the potential to “change the entire basis for energy on this planet”.

This technology offers a timely and unique compromise between political concerns of the right and the left in Canada. As an economically viable, zero emissions source for clean energy, the potential impact on the climate crisis is extensive. At the same time, if implemented at a large scale, this technology could act as an adrenaline shot to Canadian oil and gas by repurposing abandoned wells and adding jobs to the industry. According to Strem, “All the same skills are needed – from geophysicists to pipefitters and rig hands,” and infrastructure is already in place to house workers and facilitate a relatively smooth transition.

“Nothing will be as cheap as our method for producing energy,” says Strem, “we fully intend to change the world.” Proton Technologies Inc. is currently testing Hygenic Earth Energy technology in Saskatchewan, and believes they will see their first hydrogen sales within the year, with the construction of their first oxygen plant beginning by the end of 2020.

For more stories, visit Todayville Calgary

Related Topics:feature hydrogen hydrogen fuel job creation

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Calgary’s new city council votes to ban foreign flags at government buildings

Published on December 23, 2025

Todayville

From LifeSiteNews

By Anthony Murdoch

It is not yet clear if the flag motion applies to other flags, such as LGBT ones.

Western Canada’s largest city has put in place what amounts to a ban on politically charged flags from flying at city-owned buildings.

“Calgary’s Flag Policy means any country recognized by Canada may have their flag flown at City Hall on their national day,” said Calgary’s new mayor Jeromy Farkas on X last month.

“But national flag-raisings are now creating division. Next week, we’ll move to end national flag-raisings at City Hall to keep this a safe, welcoming space for all.”

The motion to ban foreign flags from flying at government buildings was introduced on December 15 by Calgary councilor Dan McLean and passed by a vote of 8 to 7. He had said the previous policy to allow non-Canadian flags to fly, under former woke mayor Jyoti Gondek, was “source of division within our community.”

“In recent months, this practice has been in use in ways that I’ve seen have inflamed tensions, including instances where flag raisings have been associated with anti-Semitic behavior and messaging,” McLean said during a recent council meeting.

The ban on flag raising came after the Palestinian flag was allowed to be raised at City Hall for the first time.

Farkas, shortly after being elected mayor in the fall of 2025, had promised that he wanted a new flag policy introduced in the city.

It is not yet clear if the flag motion applies to other flags, such as LGBT ones.

Despite Farkas putting forth the motion, as reported by LifeSiteNews he is very much in the pro-LGBT camp. However, he has promised to focus only on non-ideological issues during his term.

“When City Hall becomes a venue for geopolitical expressions, it places the city in the middle of conflicts that are well beyond our municipal mandates,” he said.

As reported by LifeSiteNews, other jurisdictions in Canada are considering banning non-Canadian flags from flying over public buildings.

Recently a political party in British Columbia, OneBC, introduced legislation to ban non-domestic government flags at public buildings in British Columbia.

Across Canada there has also been an ongoing issue with so-called “Pride” flags being raised at schools and city buildings.

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Calgary mayor should retain ‘blanket rezoning’ for sake of Calgarian families

Published on November 17, 2025

Todayville

From the Fraser Institute

By Tegan Hill and Austin Thompson

Calgary’s new mayor, Jeromy Farkas, has promised to scrap “blanket rezoning”—a policy enacted by the city in 2024 that allows homebuilders to construct duplexes, townhomes and fourplexes in most neighbourhoods without first seeking the blessing of city hall. In other words, amid an affordability crunch, Mayor Farkas plans to eliminate a policy that made homebuilding easier and cheaper—which risks reducing housing choices and increasing housing costs for Calgarian families.

Blanket rezoning was always contentious. Debate over the policy back in spring 2024 sparked the longest public hearing in Calgary’s history, with many Calgarians airing concerns about potential impacts on local infrastructure, parking availability and park space—all important issues.

Farkas argues that blanket rezoning amounts to “ignoring the community” and that Calgarians should not be forced to choose between a “City Hall that either stops building, or stops listening.” But in reality, it’s virtually impossible to promise more community input on housing decisions and build more homes faster.

If Farkas is serious about giving residents a “real say” in shaping their neighbourhood’s future, that means empowering them to alter—or even block—housing proposals that would otherwise be allowed under blanket rezoning. Greater public consultation tends to give an outsized voice to development opponents including individuals and groups that oppose higher density and social housing projects.

Alternatively, if the mayor and council reform the process to invite more public feedback, but still ultimately approve most higher-density projects (as was the case before blanket rezoning), the consultation process would be largely symbolic.

Either way, homebuilders would face longer costlier approval processes—and pass those costs on to Calgarian renters and homebuyers.

It’s not only the number of homes that matters, but also where they’re allowed to be built. Under blanket rezoning, builders can respond directly to the preferences of Calgarians. When buyers want duplexes in established neighbourhoods or renters want townhomes closer to work, homebuilders can respond without having to ask city hall for permission.

According to Mayor Farkas, higher-density housing should instead be concentrated near transit, schools and job centres, with the aim of “reducing pressure on established neighbourhoods.” At first glance, that may sound like a sensible compromise. But it rests on the flawed assumption that politicians and planners should decide where Calgarians are allowed to live, rather than letting Calgarians make those choices for themselves. With blanket rezoning, new homes are being built in areas in response to buyer and renter demand, rather than the dictates of city hall. The mayor also seems to suggest that city hall should thwart some redevelopment in established neighbourhoods, limiting housing options in places many Calgarians want to live.

The stakes are high. Calgary is not immune to Canada’s housing crisis, though it has so far weathered it better than most other major cities. That success partly reflects municipal policies—including blanket rezoning—that make homebuilding relatively quick and inexpensive.

A motion to repeal blanket rezoning is expected to be presented to Calgary’s municipal executive committee on Nov. 17. If it passes, which is likely, the policy will be put to a vote during a council meeting on Dec. 15. As the new mayor and council weigh changes to zoning rules, they should recognize the trade-offs. Empowering “the community” may sound appealing, but it may limit the housing choices available to families in those communities. Any reforms should preserve the best elements of blanket rezoning—its consistency, predictability and responsiveness to the housing preferences of Calgarians—and avoid erecting zoning barriers that have exacerbated the housing crisis in other cities.