French perspectives in the emerging European Union energy policy

Abstract

The debate over a common European energy policy, its necessity and its establishment has been going on for a number of decades. The discussions have been recently brought back into the spotlight by the evolution of energy market fundamentals and the taking into account of environmental protection. In spite of the energy diversity of the European Union, a common vision has always been shared by all over energy development for the future. The achievements of the internal market, the fight against climate change, and supply security are the common energy battles that call for a solution in common. This policy remains the responsibility of the States, but decisions vary from one country to the next. To move from a shared vision to a European energy policy, large steps are necessary. The European construction is making evolve the "typically French vision" of energy policy. France was often characterized as the "black duck" in the European Union. In the political context of president elections, the energy debate in French is of a high interest. This paper discusses the main issues with the French energy policy in the emerging European energy policy.

Identification of energy policy priorities from existing energy portfolios using hierarchical decision model and goal programming

“…Recently around the world, there is growing concern about climate change associated with increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Some have argued that recent weather events such as Hurricane Katrina, the heat wave in Europe, and the droughts and wildfires in Australia are signs of the climate change (Hepburn, 2007; Meritet, 2007). There are also those who argue that the climate change is caused by the release of GHG emissions.…”

Impact Assessment and the Liberalization of the EU Energy Markets: Evidence‐Based Policy‐Making or Policy‐Based Evidence‐Making?

“…Academic debates, as far as this author is concerned, have evolved around the following issues: the economic advantages (Lowe et al ., 2007) and drawbacks (Thomas, 2007) of ownership unbundling (Glachant and Lévêque, 2007); the effects of liberalizing the energy market (Ranci, 2007a); the changing role of energy regulators (Groenendijk, 2007); co‐operation between energy regulators (Ranci, 2007b); the limited options for consumers to influence the generation mix (Brenda and Palmer, 2007); the French position on European energy policy (Meritet, 2007); and the risks coming from liberalization (Domanico, 2007). 3 Little has been said about the empirical evidence produced by the European Commission to support this legislative package.…”

Does the Impact Assessment on the 'Third Package' Provide the Correct Economic Forecast for the Liberalisation of the EU Energy Markets?

“…Academic debates, as far as this author is concerned, have evolved around the following issues: the economic advantages (Lowe et al, 2007) and drawbacks (Thomas, 2007) of ownership unbundling (Glachant, and Lévêque, 2007); the effects of liberalising the energy market (Ranci, 2007a); the changing role of energy regulators (Groenendijk, 2007); co-operation amongst energy regulators (Ranci, 2007b); the limited options to consumers to influence the generation mix (Brenda and Palmer, 2007); the French position on European energy policy (Meritet, 2007); and the risks coming from liberalisation (Domanico, 2007). 2 In order to empirically support the proposal, the European Commission carried out an Impact Assessment (IA) which was then criticised by European Parliament and Germany.…”