Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter

Last week’s confirmation that the Ffoys-y-Fran coal mine will be closed in November has been welcomed by the Wales Green Party. The mine is the UK’s largest opencast coal mine. 

Anthony Slaughter, leader of the Wales Green Party has said that the mine’s closure would provide the opportunity to make Wales 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.

He continued by attacking the Labour Government in Wales’ policies and record on energy and the climate crisis. He said: “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.”

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