Austin is one of the test grounds for Broadband over power transmissions, some were also using wireless links by the 3g network. Austin has smart meters that are all BOP linked you can check your energy usage online in real time. Yes they are going to use this capability to charge for peak and off peak power all utilities will do this eventually.
Our local public utility district did a test of broadband over the power grid, but nothing came of it. I remember talking to a guy that ran a radio business and he was against it because of all the interference it would generate.