Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter has said the closure of the Ffos-y-Fran coal mine [1] should mark the next chapter in Wales’ rich industrial heritage and its journey to becoming a renewables powerhouse.
Slaughter said:
“Fuelling the nation’s energy needs is part of who we are in Wales. Coal has been central to that, but our future now must be as a renewables powerhouse.
“And it is vital that everybody is included as we make this transition. That means we need investment in renewables alongside financial and training support for those workers who will now lose their jobs as a result of the closure of this mine.
“The Welsh government refused to step in to stop this coal mine operating 11 months after its planning permission ran out. That is one more symptom of Labour’s failure to deliver a clean green future for everyone.
“Our natural resources provided the fuel for the Industrial revolution. Now our natural resources - wind, sun and water - can lead a green industrial revolution.
“Local people have led the campaign to end coal mining and restore our natural environment. Now they need the Welsh government to support them, show political leadership and deliver a shared vision of Wales as a renewables powerhouse.
“In the first instance, that means government holding the company to its promise to restore the environment. Then, we need investments in green jobs of the future that respect Welsh people’s historic contribution to meeting the energy needs of the whole UK.”
ENDS
Notes
1
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxek2j20x5lo
For more information or to arrange an interview contact the press office on press@greenparty.org.uk or call 0203 691 9401