Benchmarks for a left-wing policy of energy. Note nr 215

The authors try to identify what could be the components of a left-wing policy of energy, i.e. a policy which associates technological advances and the search for social advances and democratic governance. Thus, the authors first notice that listening to the personnel and trade union representatives of energy providers is also part of a left-wing culture. They discuss how differences can be noticed between left-wing and right-wing policies regarding energy sovereignty, the struggle against greenhouse gas emissions, the preparation of a sustainable energy future, the improvement of balance of payments, the development of French industrial leaders, job creation on our territory, the search for a low price for households and a competitive price for industrials. Moreover, the authors notice that the European strategy has not been so efficient but also not challenged enough by the left wing. They identify a set of priorities of a left-wing energy policy in front of new challenges (climate change, fuel prices, industrial revitalisation and employment). Through the examples of nuclear energy and of shale gas exploitation, they discuss two different approaches of technological evolutions. They finally outline that the city and region must become the relevant frame for an energy policy.