European parliamentarians have demanded swift action to complete the EU internal energy market and reduce energy costs. A report from MEP Jerzy Buzek found that increased connections between member states and a more consumer-friendly market could lower prices. The EU Energy Committee approved the report, which calls on the Commission to take legal action against the 19 member states not complying with the 2009 energy package and complete the single energy market.

1. Keywords: EU, Energy, Industry
+++ EU parliamentarians demand swift action over European energy market +++
European parliamentarians have demanded swift action to make the EU internal energy market
work. Increased interconnections between member states and a consumer friendly market
would reduce energy costs across the EU. This is the conclusion of a report from MEP Jerzy
Buzek (EPP) that was adopted by the Energy Committee (ITRE) on Thursday.
(0 Comments
Brussels (dpa Insight) - European parliamentarians have demanded swift action to make the
EU internal energy market work. Increased interconnections between member states and a
consumer friendly market would reduce energy costs across the EU. This is the conclusion of a
report from MEP Jerzy Buzek (EPP) that was adopted by the Energy Committee (ITRE) on
Thursday.
The report received 47 votes in favor and 2 votes against. This non-legislative resolution is
scheduled for plenary vote in September. "The Internal Energy Market could and should be our
remedy for the crisis and our precaution for future recessions," Buzek said.
The parliament's report backs the Commission in its intention to take legal action against
member states who do not comply with the 2009 third energy package. According to Buzek 19
of the 27 member states are not meeting the requirements. The deadline for completion was in
2011.
Polish MEP Buzek notes that "still, in most countries, the prices for energy are regulated". He
argued that it is crucial for all the member states to implement existing legislation in order to
create a free energy market and thereby reducing prices.
Implementation of the third energy package is "a matter of urgency", according to the
parliamentarians. They asked the Commission to take action against those countries in which
implementation was unduly delayed.
The report says that "the completion of the internal energy market is essential to bring down
energy costs and prices to affordable and competitive levels in the short, medium and long-
term". Regrettably, reduced prices on energy markets are "often not passed on to the
consumers", the report says.
Another demand of a strong majority of the committee was a more consumer friendly energy
market. Buzek said: "Individual consumers will benefit from the triple C effect: clarity, control and
choice".
Smart meters, which allow two-way communication between consumers and suppliers giving
consumer more control over their energy needs, is one aspect of this consumer focused

2. approach. Additionally consumers should be encouraged, through improved infrastructure, to
produce renewable energy for both personal consumption as well as sale of energy.
dpa dob/wdw Author: Daniel O'Brien