Regulations governing the EEO program will be amended from July 1 to streamline the process.

"Aligning energy-use reporting requirements under the EEO program with the Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System will enable companies to collect one set of energy-use data, and report the data once, in order to meet government reporting requirements," Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said.

Transitional provisions will allow companies already operating under the existing rules to avoid having to re-do any assessment or reporting work they have committed to.

The EEO program is a key component of the Government's push to improve energy use by Australia's largest energy-using businesses.

It requires companies using more half a petajoule of energy each year to undertake energy-efficiency opportunity assessments and report publicly on the results of those assessments and measures planned to reduce energy use.

Ferguson also confirmed that the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism is developing an Energy Efficiency Opportunities reporting module in the Online System for Comprehensive Activity Reporting (OSCAR).

"OSCAR, proposed for the Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System, will enable 'one-stop' reporting to government for participants in both programs," he said.

The EEO module will be in place for companies to report on their first assessments by the EEO reporting deadline of December 31.

The department will also consult with interested stakeholders on the proposed amendments to the regulations in coming weeks.

Industry workshops in May and June will also focus on streamlining reporting including information on National Greenhouse Energy Reporting System requirements.

Further information about the Energy Efficiency Opportunities program is available at www.energyefficiencyopportunities.gov.au while information on the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting program is available at www.climatechange.gov.au/reporting/index.htm.