Legal obstacles and incentives to the development of small scale hydroelectric power in West Virginia

Technical Report · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5167748· OSTI ID:5167748

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.

• Research Organization: Energy Law Inst., Concord, NH (USA). Franklin Pierce Law Center
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AS02-78RA04934
• OSTI ID: 5167748
• Report Number(s): DOE/RA/04934-22
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130400* -- Hydro Energy-- Legislation & Regulations
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power Generation-- (-1989)
CENTRAL REGION
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAND REQUIREMENTS
LAND USE
LEGAL ASPECTS
LOW-HEAD HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
NORTH AMERICA
OWNERSHIP
POWER PLANTS
REGULATIONS
SITE SELECTION
STATE GOVERNMENT
USA
WATER RIGHTS
WEST VIRGINIA