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Energy Efficiency and Conservation: New Tools and Opportunities / John C.  Dernbac, Robert B. McKinstry Jr., Darin  Lowder. Widener Law School Legal Studies, Feb. 2011, 18 p.  (Research Paper No. 11-06)http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1766089Many  new and ambitious energy efficiency and conservation laws are being  enacted at all levels of government - and with greater financial  incentives than provided previously. These innovations are intended to  overcome or minimize market barriers such as principal-agent problems,  information and transaction costs, high internal discount rates, and  up-front capital needs that discourage cost-saving investments.  Innovations such as public-private partnerships also require significant  legal input and creativity for the client to reap the often remarkably  large energy and cost savings. This article reviews a range of these  tools, especially financial legal mechanisms, that could help  significantly reduce U.S. energy consumption. (© authors)