Legal obstacles and incentives to the development of small scale hydroelectric power in West Virginia
Abstract
The legal and institutional obstacles to the development of small-scale hydroelectric in West Virginia at the state level are described. The Federal government also exercises extensive regulatory authority in the area. The introductory section examines the dual regulatory system from the standpoint of the appropriate legal doctrine, the law of pre-emption, application of the law to the case of hydroelectric development, and concludes with an inquiry into the practical use of the doctrine by FERC. The development of small-scale hydroelectric energy depends on the selection of a site which will produce sufficient water power capacity to make the project economically attractive to a developer. In West Virginia, the right to use the flowing waters of a stream, creek, or river is appurtenant to the ownership of the lands bordering the watercourse. The lands are known as riparian lands. The water rights are known as riparian rights. Thus, the first obstacle a developer faces involves the acquisition of riparian lands and the subsequent right to the use of the water. The water law in West Virginia is discussed in detail followed by discussions on direct and indirect regulations; continuing obligations; financial considerations; and interstate organizations.
- Authors:
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Energy Law Inst., Concord, NH (USA). Franklin Pierce Law Center
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 5167748
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/RA/04934-22
- DOE Contract Number:
- AS02-78RA04934
- Resource Type:
- Technical Report
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 13 HYDRO ENERGY; 29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; LOW-HEAD HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS; FINANCIAL INCENTIVES; LEGAL ASPECTS; REGULATIONS; WEST VIRGINIA; GOVERNMENT POLICIES; INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS; LAND REQUIREMENTS; LAND USE; OWNERSHIP; SITE SELECTION; STATE GOVERNMENT; WATER RIGHTS; CENTRAL REGION; HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS; NORTH AMERICA; POWER PLANTS; USA; 130400* - Hydro Energy- Legislation & Regulations; 296001 - Energy Planning & Policy- Electric Power Generation- (-1989)
Citation Formats
None,. Legal obstacles and incentives to the development of small scale hydroelectric power in West Virginia. United States: N. p., 1980.
Web. doi:10.2172/5167748.
None,. Legal obstacles and incentives to the development of small scale hydroelectric power in West Virginia. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5167748
None,. 1980.
"Legal obstacles and incentives to the development of small scale hydroelectric power in West Virginia". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5167748. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5167748.
@article{osti_5167748,
title = {Legal obstacles and incentives to the development of small scale hydroelectric power in West Virginia},
author = {None,},
abstractNote = {The legal and institutional obstacles to the development of small-scale hydroelectric in West Virginia at the state level are described. The Federal government also exercises extensive regulatory authority in the area. The introductory section examines the dual regulatory system from the standpoint of the appropriate legal doctrine, the law of pre-emption, application of the law to the case of hydroelectric development, and concludes with an inquiry into the practical use of the doctrine by FERC. The development of small-scale hydroelectric energy depends on the selection of a site which will produce sufficient water power capacity to make the project economically attractive to a developer. In West Virginia, the right to use the flowing waters of a stream, creek, or river is appurtenant to the ownership of the lands bordering the watercourse. The lands are known as riparian lands. The water rights are known as riparian rights. Thus, the first obstacle a developer faces involves the acquisition of riparian lands and the subsequent right to the use of the water. The water law in West Virginia is discussed in detail followed by discussions on direct and indirect regulations; continuing obligations; financial considerations; and interstate organizations.},
doi = {10.2172/5167748},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5167748},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980},
month = {Thu May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980}
}