If they want to do things to reduce their total consumption, great. I also do things to reduce my energy consumption, and thereby lower my electric bill, like installing LED lights and using a ‘smart’ thermostat to more efficiently manage my heat/air system. Is that laudable?

At no point should the cost burden for their actions have fallen on residential electric customers. The things they are doing are the bare minimum, and likely more for PR as towns are starting to chase out data centers.