The new challenges of the French energy policy

Two themes are tackled the opening and the liberalization of the energy market in the European Community. The market opening aims to increase the security and the diversification of energy supply. The European Commission tends to introduce a real control of competition and to lay down a separation between producers and carriers. The keeping of public utility allows to protect the weakest consumers, including the small companies. If the economic development needs energy, this one is also one of the first causes of pollution so it is necessary to equilibrate the supply policy by action on demand. (N.C.)