GROWING GREEN JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Whether they are based in Westminster or based in Cardiff, we need our governments to actively develop of an energy strategy that will deliver sustainable secure energy and energy jobs for our communities in the 21st Century - leaving strategic energy planning decisions to a free market - is a no brainer and entirely irresponsible. The concept of Green Jobs and the economic contribution that they can make to our communities and to the Welsh economy is now well recognised by most people.

Across Europe, some countries have made more progress than others - some 250,000 people work in the alternative energy industry in Germany compared as opposed to barely 25,000 here in the UK, clearly more work needs to be done if our communities are going to reap the benefits of green energy jobs and secure energy. A Green Energy Jobs Strategy is an important component to sustainable prosperity, a stable economy and secure energy supplies.

The Plaid driven One Wales Government needs to work towards improving the efficiency of business operations and production processes to reduce CO2 equivalent emissions and to cut down on waste. We need to pursue the development of new cleaner technologies and processes for businesses and promote the use of sustainable infrastructures with regard to energy and waste.

We need new local authority planning guidelines and the introduction of feed-in tariffs to rapidly promote the incorporation of small-scale renewable energy installations in individual buildings and groups of buildings across Wales. To make this happen, we needs an energy strategy that will create realistic job opportunities for our people and take full advantage of the extraordinary natural resources we have available. If this happens, then there is no reason why we should not be amongst the most progressive countries in the field of alternative energy and green jobs.

The Plaid driven One Wales Government has allocated an initial £15m of funding to help Welsh community organisations invest in technology to generate clean, renewable energy – this is good start but more clearly can be done. While this is good news, but we need local plans to develop local energy plans, local energy supplies and welcome the development of community owned and community beneficial sustainable energy plants. We need new local authority planning guidelines and proper feed-in tariffs to rapidly promote the incorporation of small-scale renewable energy installations and much better insulation in individual homes, commercial and public buildings and groups of buildings - this is essential.

If we are going to make any of this happen, we needs a realistic and flexible energy strategy that will allow and encourage the creation of sustainable green energy job opportunities for our people and take full advantage of the extraordinary natural resources we in Wales are blessed with. If this happens, then there is absolutely no reason why Wales should not be amongst the most progressive countries in the field of sustainable alternative energy and sustainable green jobs and the UK can end its dependence on fuel supplies from unstable regions and unsavory regimes.

To make this happen we need more Plaid MP's in Westminster, MP's who will fight for their communities MP's who will make a real difference, instead of merely taking the money and parroting the line of their London based masters. In Wales, there is a real choice, Plaid offers a sensible different choice and we have different priorities - looking after pensioners, protecting our schools and hospitals and making sure our economy comes out of recession. Think Different. Think Plaid