The province’s consumer advocate says this province is behind the eight ball as he continues to push for the use of smart meters.

Dennis Browne says the meters, which allow customers to access information on their energy use, are widely used across the country and can result in savings.

Browne says this province and Manitoba are the only two not moving ahead with the technology.

With rates at Newfoundland Power now costing 7 per cent more as of August 1, he’s continuing to make his case in efforts to ease the financial strain.

“We’re behind in this and unnecessarily,” he says. “We’ve made an application to the (Public Utilities Board) to have a study done on the smart meters before the end of this year, and we want these smart meters implemented.”