Governance in the EU Energy Union: Is the proposed Governance regulation EEA relevant?

Abstract

Abstract This thesis sets out to assess whether the EU’s proposed new Governance regulation under the Energy Union is “EEA relevant”, meaning within or outside the scope of the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement. Based on a review of the proposal, wider EU policy, the foundation for energy and climate cooperation, and a relevance assessment based on geographical and substantive criteria, the thesis finds that the governance regulation is EEA relevant. The thesis also places this case within a wider debate about the expanding scope of the EEA Agreement. While the agreement has remained unchanged since its signing 25 years ago, treaty changes and increased integration on the EU side have eroded the borders between internal market legislation and cooperation in other fields – complicating determinations of EEA relevance and stretching the intended legal limits for political and economic reasons. Note that the Governance regulation is currently being processed by the European Parliament and the European Council and may be subject to changes in the legislative process.