Law and Policy of the European Gas Market

It is rare to find an analysis as clear-sighted of the energy market regulation in Europe taking into account legal, regulatory and (geo-)political aspects. Congratulations to this contribution to the debate about regulating energy markets in the future.'
- Herwig C. H. Hofmann, Professor of European and Transnational Public LawLaw and Policy of the European Gas Market examines the regulatory and competitive choices of institutions and bodies operating within the EU gas market, with a view to achieving a higher level of market integration. Offering an in-depth analysis of the design, structure and functioning of the EU gas market, the book considers the most recent European legal developments associated with this market and places them in their respective geopolitical context.

This timely book contributes to the discussion surrounding the concurrent application of competition law and regulation on the EU gas market. It also provides a unique critique of the way in which competition law is used, mainly through the European Commission's so-called 'commitments practice', while looking at consumer protection and the effects of such practice on third-country transmission system operators.

This book provides a unique reassessment of the role played by sector-specific regulation in achieving gas market integration and will therefore prove a valuable resource for gas market participants, policy makers and lawyers in the field. It will also be of great use to students, academics and researchers interested in the latest legislative reform of the EU gas market or 'the Third Energy Package'.

Contents: 1. Introduction 2. The specifics of the EU gas market 3. Setting of relationships with natural gas producers 4. EU gas market structure 5. Defining and assessing the current EU gas market design 6. Integration of the EU gar market through administrative bodies 7. Conclusion Bibliography Annex I: Legislation applicable to the EU gas market Annex II: Case Law Index