Legal obstacles and incentives to the development of small scale hydroelectric potential in Michigan

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5287586· OSTI ID:5287586

The legal and institutional obstacles to the development of small-scale hydroelectric energy at the state level is described. The Federal government also exercises extensive regulatory authority in the area. The first obstacle which any developer must confront in Michigan is obtaining the authority to utilize the river bed, banks, and flowing water at a proposed dam site. This involves a determination of ownership of the stream banks and bed, and the manner of obtaining either their title or use; and existing constraints with regard to the use of the water. Michigan follows the riparian theory of water law. The direct regulation; indirect regulation; public utilities regulation; financing; and taxation are discussed.

• Research Organization: Energy Law Inst., Concord, NH (USA). Franklin Pierce Law Center
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AS02-78RA04934
• OSTI ID: 5287586
• Report Number(s): DOE/RA/04934-25
• 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)
DIAGRAMS
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FLOWSHEETS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GREAT LAKES REGION
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LEGAL ASPECTS
LOW-HEAD HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
MICHIGAN
NORTH AMERICA
OWNERSHIP
POWER PLANTS
REGULATIONS
STATE GOVERNMENT
USA