Posted By: Katie Franzios This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it · 12/7/2011 3:25:00 PM

The province's energy minister is defending the Liberal government's strategy to reduce energy consumption despite not reaching targets.

That was revealed in the second part of the Environmental Commissioner's report on Ontario's Energy System released today.

Chris Bentley, didn't however, directly answer questions as to why there isn't a system already in place to monitor smart metre use.

NDP Energy critic MPP Peter Tabuns says he doesn't understand how the province can't tell if the smart metres are working the way they want them to. Tabuns also blasts the government for not being more ambitious in their conservation targets and says they didn't push the subject more with the public.

PC leader Tim Hudak says he's always been against smart metres, noting time-of use pricing doesn't help those who are at home during the day and small businesses.