European Energy Policy: Politics and Problems in the 20th Century

This paper examines energy policy in the European Union from 1991 to 2007. The topics discussed include a concise history of European integration, policy initiatives by the European Union concerning energy, the national policy trends of Britain, Germany, Italy and France, and the effects on supply and security of energy dependence on Russia. Further examined are the relationship and conflicts between national energy policies and the supranational policies of the European Union. Much attention is given to the role of the European Union commission in forming and initiating energy policy. The author finds the growing role of the European Union in European energy policy to be the product of globalization and improved economic conditions in the 1980\u27s and 1990\u27s, as well as due to the strong leadership provided by the Delors commission. While the European Union has an expanding role in energy, there are many problems faced by this growing responsibility. The formation and development of giant national energy companies pose a direct challenge to the European Union\u27s goal of market liberalization as does the growing specter of energy dependence on Russia. These problems are significant, but the increasing role of the European Union in energy policy seems likely to continue. The movement toward a supranational energy policy in Europe highlights a more general political shift away from nationalism. This trend could change the political structure of Europe drastically in the next few decades