About ERA
Since 2009, ERA has helped deliver on the province’s environmental and economic goals by investing in the pilot, demonstration, and deployment of clean technology solutions that reduce emissions, lower costs, attract investment, and create jobs in Alberta. ERA funds the technology solutions that industry needs to meet outcomes Alberta is looking for.
Funded by the Government of Alberta’s Technology Innovation Emissions Reduction (TIER) Fund, ERA’s clean technology investments help innovators develop and demonstrate Alberta-based technologies that lower emissions and costs for industries.
Mandate & Vision
Mandate
Reduce emissions and support the competitiveness and growth of Alberta’s economy by accelerating the development and adoption of innovative technology solutions.
Vision
Alberta has a diversified economy with competitive industries that deliver sustainable environmental outcomes and attract investment.
Value Proposition
ERA provides funding to reduce emissions and strengthen the competitiveness of Alberta’s industries. These investments help innovators develop and demonstrate technologies that reduce emissions and enhance Alberta’s environment and ecosystems.
Strategic Priorities
Accelerate Technology
Invest in de-risking innovative technologies that improve the competitiveness of Alberta’s industries, reduce emissions, and enhance the province’s environment and ecosystems.
Drive Commercialization
Convene the right resources to accelerate the adoption of technology solutions
that lead to economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Maximize Impact
Maximize ERA’s impact beyond technology support by sharing knowledge and striving for operational excellence.
Executive Team
Justin Riemer
Chief Executive Officer
An Albertan through and through, Justin Riemer has dedicated his career to strengthening the province he loves. Now the Chief Executive Officer of Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), Justin leads the team dedicated to advancing innovations that are reducing Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions and diversifying its economy. He has earned a reputation for skillfully navigating Canada’s innovation system, building relationships inside and outside of Alberta, and developing a strong network in support of innovation and economic development.
For more than 25 years, he has achieved results in regional economic development, industry expansion, investment attraction, and innovation. Before joining ERA, he led the Alberta Region of Prairies Economic Development Canada in the federal government to support economic development across the province. Prior to that, he held several senior positions focused on innovation and investment attraction at the Government of Alberta and briefly at Alberta Health Services. Justin graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Carleton University. Justin is happily married, has two grown boys and a daughter in law. He is a leader. A connector. A changemaker.
Heather Stephens
Chief Operating Officer
Heather Stephens is ERA’s Chief Operating Officer. Heather has worked with ERA since inception and has played a key role in operating and growing the organization over the past 12 years. In her current role, Heather leads teams responsible for finance, project portfolio management, information technology, contract management, governance, and Human Resources. As a Chartered Professional Accountant, Heather brings her extensive background in audit and financial accounting with not-for-profit organizations, Government of Alberta agencies, as well as various private and public Canadian and International companies. Prior to joining ERA directly, Heather spent 20 years with the multi-national accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers in both the Edmonton and London, UK offices, the last nine of which were primarily dedicated to helping establish and operate ERA (formerly Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation). Heather graduated from the University of Alberta with Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce degrees.
Christophe Owttrim
Executive Director, Technology and Innovation
Chris Owttrim is the Executive Director of Technology and Innovation for Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA). He oversees ERA’s strategic direction in technology investments, spearheads competitive funding calls, and provides thought leadership on clean technology garnered from ERA’s investments. Chris has spent the last seven years in a variety of roles with Alberta Innovates and ERA, most recently serving as ERA’s Technology Investment Lead.
Chris is a clean technology and green energy specialist with experience supporting research, development, and commercialization projects for emerging technologies as well as researching, modelling, and analyzing energy systems and decarbonization pathways. He is highly passionate about the intersection of climate, energy, economics, and policy. Chris holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta.