This is all being done under the "green" umbrella. But it's nothing more than an attempt to take over another piece of the country's critical infrastructure. Look at it this way: the gummint already supplies water, sewage, (in many cases) garbage pickup, streets, snow removal, access to cable, phone, internet ... Now imagine a gummint that decides it wants you out, or it wants to spy on your phone calls or your energy usage or the tv shows you're watching (if you're stupid enough to watch tv).
All the vestiges of civilization have been given over to Big Brother, who dispenses or withholds them at his whim.