I for one, like managing my electric consumption. Not to save the earth really, but because I'm cheap and already use way too much.
Read the first sentence again. I like managing my own consumption. Seems a pity that the government thinks I'm not capable of responsibility on my own. Looks to me like they have their hands full controlling their own spending, let alone mine.
Here in rural Ohio, our electric Co-Op will give you a discount if you let them install a radio switch on your water tank, so they can shut it down during a "peak alert". Even when I had a water tank (heater), I just couldn't bring myself to suffer a lack of a hot shower when the grid was a full power.
In the end, I went to a tankless electric. I feel much better knowing that I'm only heating the water that I need, when I need it.
I use the electrical savings ploy to justify my x10 addiction with my wife. Now the kids can't leave the lights on when they leave, as the CM15 turns then off on a set schedule.
Just never got around to telling the Mrs. that the units pull 1-2 watts each.