It should also be simple for new producers of electricity-from clever start-ups to big industrial firms-to sell power back to the grid.

Plug-in hybrids, meanwhile, could charge at night, when demand is low, and even pump power back to the grid while parked during the day.

In other words, in his propaganda, Augustus basically said, "I'm not a king, I'm just another senator, and I'm giving the Senate and the people all their power back."