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(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2016 1(3), 1055-1060 | European Forum Insight of 22 November 2016 | (Table of Contents) I. Controversy around Germany's Renewable Energy Act. - II. Two Questions, One Answer: The EEG as State Aid. - II.1. The State Aid Nature of the EEG Surcharge. - II.2. The Exemptions for Electricity-intensive Undertakings. - III. Distinguishing PreussenElektra - IV. Towards the Europeanization of National Energy Policy. | (Abstract) Germany's former law on renewable energy constitutes State aid illegal under EU law. The General Court dismissed Germany's action for annulment of a Commission Decision, finding that a renewable energy surcharge payable by electricity consumers for the benefit of those electricity producers using renewable sources effectively equalled the distribution of State funds. The private energy suppliers tasked with the administration of the compensation scheme remained under extensive control by German authorities. An exemption of certain energy-intensive industries from the surcharge was a further element of the law that violated EU State aid rules. Departing from earlier jurisprudence, the General Court through this judgment effectively enhanced the Commission's capacity to interfere with the Member States' national energy policy.

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2016 1(3), 1279-1281 | European Forum Highlight of 4 November 2016 | (Abstract) On 28 July 2016 the Court of Justice dismissed an appeal brought by the former Attorney General of Zimbabwe and 120 other persons against the judgment of the General Court of 22 April 2015 that had declared lawful the adoption of EU restrictive measures against them on the basis of their association with the Government of Zimbabwe, in which they held senior posts. With this judgment, the Court approved the EU's strategy of applying restrictive measures to exert pressure on a country's regime by targeting individuals that form part of the national economic and security elite.