Securing more than $1 billion for an array of measures to help Australian householders, businesses and industry save energy and an unambiguous commitment to seek agreement from the States for a national energy efficiency scheme are very welcome outcomes of the MPCC agreement to put a price on pollution announced today.

"The best response to rising energy prices, whether or not those price rises have anything to do with putting a price on pollution, is to save energy," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"Where previously almost all support for householders and business was through cash payments which, while welcome, did nothing to drive change, this package invests over $1 billion in helping the community save money and energy, giving us twice the bang for our buck."

Greening the carbon price package to support energy efficiency:
• A National Energy Savings Initiative (also known as a white certificate scheme) will be established on the condition that it replace the existing state schemes.
• There will be progress to reform the National Energy Market rules to remove the bias towards increasing energy supply and to create incentives for 'demand management'.
• $760 million in grants programs for small business, food and foundries, and the manufacturing sector will assist with investment in energy efficient capital equipment and low emissions technologies, processes and products.
• A $250m Low Carbon Communities fund will help low-income households and community groups manage rising energy costs through energy efficiency upgrades.
• The Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act will be expanded to drive greater energy efficiency for Australia's largest energy users.

"This package will provide over $1 billion in grants to help thousands of small businesses, small industry, manufacturers, community groups and low-income householders upgrade buildings, homes, community facilities, plant and machinery to save money and energy.

"Given the huge public interest in the Green Loans scheme, I have high hopes that under the Low Carbon Communities scheme people will embrace the option to get household compensation in the form of energy efficiency upgrades.

"The Greens have had a bill for an Energy Efficiency Target scheme before the Senate for years and this package finally delivers real progress on that front, with a commitment to a National Energy Savings Initiative on the condition that similar state schemes are closed.

"This scheme will run parallel to the Renewable Energy Target, creating incentives for people and businesses to find energy efficiency gains where they had never thought to look.

"Reform of the National Energy Market rules to prioritise demand management can put real downward pressure on energy prices by reducing the hugely expensive spikes at peak times which are a significant component of recent energy price rises.

"I know that there is a host of smart and good-hearted Australians out there keen to establish small businesses aimed at helping other save energy and money. Many of them were let down badly by the Green Loans debacle. They will now have a new pathway."

"Energy efficiency cuts pollution, saves us money and creates jobs - it's a triple win."