I read somewhere recently that the state may consider mandating that all new homes and offices being built must be equipped with thermostats that can be controlled from a remote location.
"Communicating thermostats," and as I recall the proposal went down hard due to the protests.
Not that they won't be back -- similar things are being done by the energy utilities with large commercial outfits. Currently it's by phone, but automated systems are being developed and tested (though it's not being done by fiat but by contractual agreement).