EU Seeks Wider Energy Controls

European Commission President Jose Barroso plans to demand more powers over fuel imports and electricity and natural gas markets in Europe, seeking to loosen the grip of national governments over energy policy.

The commission, the 25-nation European Union’s regulatory arm, will plead for authority to negotiate EU-wide energy pacts with suppliers such as Russia, manage stocks in emergencies and create a single European grid, according to a draft of a strategy paper to be presented Wednesday in Brussels.

The Moscow Times