Sustainable Energy Law Notebook

On 29 May 2013 , the European Commission presented its recommendations to address the financial and economic situation in several Member States of the EU. Among the country-specific recommendations (CSR) presented by the European Commission on 29 May 2013, it is worth noting some of the measures proposed in the energy sector in exchange of granting delays for correcting national deficits. The package is based on the adoption of a new strategy for growth and jobs, Europe 2020, in 2010, which includes "guidelines" for Member States' economic and employment policies. This was supplemented in June 2012 by the adoption of a Compact for Growth and Jobs. The monitoring of Member States' performance was then operated through the Annual Growth Survey, the Alert Mechanism Report and in-depth reviews. The following paragraphs take the particular example of France . The recommendation for a Council Recommendation on France's 2013 national reform programme ( COM(...

The European Council met in Brussels on 22 May 2013 for discussing two hot topics, i.e. energy and tax fraud and evasion . The official text of the conclusions can be accessed here . An detailed analysis of the energy matters covered by the conclusions will be published shortly on this blog.  Photo credits : European Council 22 May 2013 - Family photo (c) The Council of the European Union

Alors que le Conseil Européen se réunit le 22 mai prochain, Jacques Delors , Martin Schultz , Sami Andoura , Jerzy Buzek et Antonio Vitorino publient une chronique commune dans le journal Le Monde daté du 20 mai 2013, chronique reprise sous divers formats dans d'autres journaux nationaux et européens.  Ses auteurs en appellent a un " véritable changement de société dans nos modes de production, de transport et de consommation d'énergie " afin d'assurer la transition énergétique . Ils y définissent une condition au succès de cette dernière: " y associer la société civile en Europe ", condition non explicitée. Plus fondamental, ils en appellent à la création d' une Communauté Européenne de l'Energie , dans la veine d'une autre communauté créée en 1951 autour du charbon et de l'acier. Toute chose devant être remise dans son contexte, essayons de comprendre où réside l'innovation de cette initiative. L'appel le plus nota...

On 22 May 2013 , the European Council will meet to discuss two main topics: energy and tax fraud and evasion. Communication has become more and more sophisticated around these meetings, and the Commission has definitely done its homeworks. First, President Barroso addressed a letter to the Members of the European Council , recalling the main points of the agenda for the meeting (see MEMO/13/416 dated 08/05/2013). Second, the Commission services published a background note on the two main issues to be discussed. A regards energy, the key elements that the Commission intends to push forward on the agenda of the European Council are presented in the note entitled  "Energy challenges and policy"   and are as follows: Differences and complementarities between the different energy mixes of the Member States which " all are facing similar challenges ". The Commission is of the view that the Member States "can tackle these challenges better together ...

On 2 May 2013 , the European Commission published yet another communication aimed to draw the lines of the future European low carbon strategy in the time-frame 2030/2050. Entitled Energy Technologies and Innovation  ( COM(2013) 253 final ), this Communication looks at the manner the EU should coordinate its technology and innovation strategy in order to reach energy and climate goals. The need for new technologies The first question addressed by the Communication relates to the need for new technologies. The Communication starts with a straight YES, we do need new technologies because they are " vital to achieve all of the EU 2020 objectives in energy, climate, economic and social policy " (p.2). It reiterates here stances taken in two previous communications in 2007 and 2009, namely: Communication on SET Plan (COM(2007) 723) and Communication on Investing in low carbon technologies (COM(2009) 519). Although the need for technological innovation is continuous,...