[Texgreen] National energy monopolies win big

[Roger Baker]

[The next step is to convince these same monopolies to do something =20
about global warming. -- Roger]

The EU=92s energy ministers have rejected proposals to break up big =
energy
companies.

At a council meeting on 6 June, France and Germany led a majority of
countries opposing the European commission=92s plans for =93ownership
unbundling=94 =96 a break-up of energy companies that both generate =
power =20
and
own supply grids.

The radical plan is advocated by EU energy commissioner Andris =20
Piebalgs, who
says tough new legislation is required in order to loosen the grip of
traditional suppliers on national markets.

The commission says breaking up large companies =96 which often have a
monopoly on their national market =96 would open the field to newer =20
companies,
boosting competition and driving down prices.

But the proposal, which is backed by the UK, the Netherlands and =20
Ireland,
has faced staunch opposition from major companies like Germany=92s Eon =
and
French monopoly EDF.

http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/200706/6cec58ca-=20
ad3f-424b-8c45-47b58410ff6f.htm