It’s no secret that our new Senate admires Europe’s energy policies (energy mandates, heavy subsidies, taxation). So as Democrats discuss ever more European-like measures to address global warming (such as mandatory utility buys of renewables), it’s useful to look at the electricity costs borne by European rate-payers.

Here in Michigan, industry constantly protests the state’s 8 cents per kilowatt/hour energy costs as a competitive disadvantage compared to the 5 cents per kw/h enjoyed by surrounding states. Michigan, however, pales next to Euro-wannabes California and the Northeast’s regulation-driven 15 cents per kw/h.

But as recorded by Eurostat, even our high-cost states look competitive compared to Western Europe’s average kw/h cost of 19.5 cents! France is the cheapest thanks to its heavy reliance on nuclear energy, but still clocks in at 16 cents kw/h. Germany, with its mix of nuke, coal, and wind is staggering under 25 cents per kw/h. And the biggest renewable energy user? The dream of U.S. pols from Reid to Schwarzenegger? That would be Denmark clocking in at an eye-popping 32 cents per kw/h.

No wonder Europe wants the U.S. crippled by Kyoto regulations – it’s to their competitive advantage. But why would U.S. politicians?