Heather Wright/The Independent

Tom Teahen hopes to be part of a big change in the aviation industry. His company, Greenfield Global, is working on a project to decarbonize jet fuel.

But, it will be a long time in the making. Teahen says Greenfield Global has been working at the Sarnia-Lambton Western Research Park for a year now. They hope to create a pilot plant next year to produce the fuel the industry needs.

But Teahen says, it will be five to 10 years before the innovation will make it to the jets you take on vacation.

That kind of innovation requires deep pockets. On Oct. 31, Associate Energy Minister Sam Oosterhoff, was in Sarnia promoting a new $30 million hydrogen innovation fund. 

He says hydrogen is both a clean energy and economic opportunity. And the province wants to support innovators. 

“We do believe that taxpayers and the economy as a whole, and the government of Ontario have a role in supporting those who are willing to take that step forward,” he said adding applications for up to $4 million in funding will be open for 14 weeks.

Matthew Slotwinski of Sarnia-Lambton Economic Development is hopeful innovators and the region’s hydrogen hub project will be able to tap into the new funding.