'Tank tourism': holidays not over yet

The EU commissioner responsible for tax and customs-related issues is set to table a proposal to raise the minimum level of diesel tax imposed by member states, in a bid to cut down on 'tank tourism.' However, given the lukewarm reception that the proposal has received so far, and the fact that unanimity is required, the proposal is unlikely to be adopted.

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2008 - the year of green IT

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, which runs from December 3 to 14 this year, looks set to send a clear and unambiguous message to the developed world: reduce your carbon footprint now before it is too late.

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A Climate Change Levy exemption for nuclear in the UK is both problematic and unlikely

Despite repeated claims from the government that there will be no subsidy for nuclear power in the UK, stakeholder demands for other forms of assistance are growing increasingly common. The possibility of an exemption for nuclear power under the Climate Change Levy framework has been proposed, yet such proposals are unworkable, as they would necessitate huge structural changes to the levy scheme.

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A costly and abrupt retreat from nuclear in Germany

March 11 marked the first anniversary of Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster. This has caused a particularly marked policy response in Germany, where the decision has been made to abandon nuclear energy by 2022 at an estimated cost of E1.7tn by 2030. The decision appears to be motivated by political considerations rather than factual assessment.

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A difficult year, but the future is still bright for EDF

French energy giant EDF has revealed a bigger than expected 40% drop in annual profits, prompting a fall in the company's share price. However, despite the disappointing annual results, EDF's outlook is strong. Indeed, potential plans to sell some French assets in order to boost liquidity would not only ease the company's debt pile but would also appease the European Commission.

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A European E.ON-slaught

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A fully competitive European energy market may remain a Brussels pipedream

The liberalization of the European energy market has advanced only slowly over the past eight years. One month on from the latest directive deadline, Datamonitor's Salman Wasti reviews how uncertainty over the EU constitutions could create a new barrier to progress...

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A storm is brewing in the East despite temporary gas truce

The January 2006 Russia-Ukraine gas deal has been temporarily extended to the autumn; a temporary truce largely driven by Russia's position as chair of the G8. There are two events on the horizon with potentially serious implications for the reliability of gas supplies to Europe: Yulia Tymoshenko's appointment as Ukrainian prime minister, and Turkmenistan's decision to hike gas prices to Russia.

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A windfall tax on the UK energy industry is unlikely to prove beneficial

Upward pressures on UK wholesale gas and power prices are being driven by strained supply and demand fundamentals. Imposing a windfall tax on the UK energy industry is unlikely to resolve this issue whereas increased incentives for energy investment in UK gas storage facilities would go some way towards achieving that aim.

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Acergy and Subsea 7: deal signals a new reality in the oil and gas market

The planned merger between Acergy and Subsea 7, like the similar deal agreed by Schlumberger and Smith International earlier this year, illustrates the new environment in the oil and gas services market. With firms looking to become stronger so that they can overcome costs and complexity challenges, consolidation is likely to emerge as a popular strategy.

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