Peers cautious on Commission's energy role


A House of Lords committee has rebuffed the European Commission's bid to take on a greater role in developing energy policy.
Peers on the European Union select committee said most energy policies should be decided at a national level.
And Tuesday's report rejected calls for a European-wide energy regulator and a suggestion that the Commission should set levels of stored-gas reserves to be held by each member state.
In a further rejection of the Commission's energy green paper proposals, the committee said there was no need for a radical review of powers of the EU.
But the report welcomed the Commission's focus on wider issues rather than just on the security of supply.
There was backing for the development of more co-ordinated policies on energy efficiency, climate change and strategic energy technology.
Lord Woolmer of Leeds, chairman of the sub-committee which conducted the inquiry, said it was "important that the energy debate is widened beyond the limited scope of security of supply, which tends to dominate people's thinking in the short term".
"We feel strongly that the Commission has an important role to play in achieving this, and developing a Europe-wide approach to issues such as combating climate change, energy efficiency and dialogue between countries supplying oil and gas to Europe," he added.
"However, most energy policy is best decided at the national level. The energy markets across European countries differ greatly, and it should be up to individual governments to decide what approach to energy best suits their needs.
"The most important steps the Commission should take in regards to energy policy are to work hard to ensure all member states have liberalised, competitive energy markets with strong national regulators operating independently of government.
"This should ensure consumers get the best value from their energy suppliers."