Inventor promotes low-power lifestyle with electricity-free appliances

[FBaggins]

3. Yes. To the extent "lose their status" means "serious economic harm"

What Smilio likely heard was a report from their economic ministry predicting a 5% GDP decline and doubled electrical rates over the coming years.

surveys of industry directly shows strong support for a go very slow approach.

That's nice (true or not)... but how is that relevant to the question? Whether the decision is popular or unpopular is entirely divorced from the undeniable fact that it's a costly one. Of course significant power shortages will have an impact on production and the dramatic climb in fossil generation will be costly (in more ways than one).