In May 2010, the think tank “Notre Europe”, chaired by Jacques Delors, issued a report1 on the feasibility of a Treaty setting up an Energy Community in the European Union, similar to the ECSC of the ‘50s. The ME-F deems that the report features several innovative proposals that could justify an opinion from the civil society as represented by the ME-F.
The ME-F endorses the general objectives of a European energy policy as spelled out in the report: « to guarantee to all citizens access to energy at reasonable and stable prices; to preserve the European industry’s competitiveness; to promote a sustainable development through transition towards a low-carbon society ». However the ME-F requests the political leaders to give consideration to its remarks on the “Notre Europe” report:
1/ Whilst the presently achieved or going-on actions in the field of low-carbon economy and energy access are clearly identified, the report seems to underestimate the energy security strategic objective. In particular it is
necessary to keep consistency between the requirements of environmental quality, market liberalisation and energy security.
2/ The ME-F recognises that the proposed legal form, a new Treaty, is attractive. It has however some reservations: firstly the possibility of progressive adhesion (opt in) goes against European cohesion; secondly in
the present state of public opinion the chances of ratification of such a treaty are very slim. Rather the ME-F suggests using all opportunities given in Chapter “Energy” of the Lisbon Treaty to establish a real “integrated Energy policy”. This would immediately benefits the Union in terms of internal cohesion as well as of international credibility.
3/ Certainly the achievements and projects within the present Energy policy are not negligible; however they are too fragmented. In order to meet as soon as possible the Energy challenges concrete measures have to be implemented, such as those proposed in the report:
– new and more important Energy savings incentives;

• development of Energy networks meeting the renewable energy integration requirements;
• working out financial schemes allowing emergence of new technologies, particularly in the field ofrenewable energy and networks, for example the off shore renewable energy production;

– control of energy supply procedures, in particular for gas;
– harmonisation of the various regulatory schemes for electricity and gas markets, particularly to meet the energy market peculiarities and the challenge of renewable energy integration;
– last but not least, the bold R&D programme needed to, inter alia, improve energy efficiency and guarantee energy independence and security whilst minimising the environmental impact of fossil energy.
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