According to Thomas Schelling , cutbacks in the use of electricity on hot summer days is best ensured through :

not trying to sway consumers to cut back on their electricity consumption , since this involves coercive government regulation of a private activity

rules governing electricity consumption , but without the imposition of penalties such as higher prices for excess usage banning the use of electric lighting

rules governing electricity consumption , with the imposition of penalties such as higher prices for excess usage

government programs to encourage voluntary rationing of electricity use