[UnderseaLcpl]

Most Americans would simply ignore such a thing. There's only one effective way to get people to cut energy usage, and that is to raise the rates. Unfortunately, as with so many policies, that too would have unintended side-effects. If rates rise above the prevailing market cost you will have a shortage of energy in no time as enrgy is exported, or plants get mothballed and mines get closed to save on costs. The market is the only thing that can effectively govern such policy, as a drop or rise in rates is always preceded and accompanied by other factors, such as plants or mines being opened or energy being imported/exported.