Natural Gas in the European Internal Market: A Comparative Analysis of Common Carriage and Price Transparency

After reviewing the general goals of a common energy policy, this paper provides a comprehensive comparative study analyzing the potential effects of common carriage and price transparency in the Community’s natural gas market. Direct comparisons are made between market structures and regulatory policies in the United States, Great Britain, and the Federal Republic of Germany. After extensive analysis, the author concludes that the plans laid out by the Commission reveal conflicting objectives, require extensive new regulation, and are incompatible with the system of undistorted competition guaranteed by the EEC Treaty.