The REA also basically killed the low-energy appliance and home electric generation industries (which were growing in the 1920s), and greatly accelerated suburb

The REA also basically killed the low-energy appliance and home electric generation industries (which were growing in the 1920s), and greatly accelerated suburban sprawl, all of which dramatically contribute to carbon emissions. There are always unintended consequences to the blunt instrument of massive programs. As an alternative, if the government reduced the monopoly power of the telcos and allowed things like municipal internet, that might be a good solution. I think we should seek first to remove the barriers and obstacles to progress before we use scorched earth to accomplish a goal.