European Union energy policy. Green Paper

The Committee of the Regions called for full compliance with the principle of subsidiarity in the establishment of a European energy policy. This implied not only consultation of the local and regional authorities when applying the policy but also consideration of local employment, environmental and social needs. Decisions on energy production should also recognise and assess their effects on social and regional development. Local and regional authorities should play a key role in the decisions on the establishment of trans-European networks. They also had a crucial role to play in promoting energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption. It was also essential to take account of the urban dimension when drawing up a European energy policy. Cooperation between European regions and cities would have a beneficial impact on planning and the development of a highly effective information system in the energy field. The Committee of the Regions considered that energy policy was a key element of the economic and social development policy and should form part of a policy of sustainable development. It should also be examined from the point of view of consumers and citizens. The public interest could not be left entirely to market forces; it was to counterbalance market forces that the public sector existed.