Austin Energy has been giving out free 7-day programmable thermostats for years, with the caveat being that they can control them when necessary to balance load.
This is nothing new to see here, move along territory.
You should oppose this. Its just another case of controlling citizens. Arizona just passed the law that allows police to pull anyone over simply for looking Mexican. Its seems small and it seems subtle but if we allow our rights to be taken where will they stop. Being free to make choices is what makes it unique and exciting to live in America. So we have to fight for our right to make choices both big and small.
If God had intended Man to program, we'd be born with serial I/O ports.