I've never really worried that "They" would cut the power, Internet, or phone service except as a normal military precaution preceding a specific strike or to disrupt an imminent enemy operation. The downsides of any sort of general cutoff are just too huge. And it doesn't matter who They blame it on because the effect is the same.

When the power goes out (and Internet and cell would soon follow) what happens? Everyone gets cut off from Netflix and Reddit and Pornhub and texting and email and shopping and everything else used to distract and program us. That's bad for Them.

What's also bad is that everyone gets off their couch and goes out to talk to the neighbors. They trade information, and get to see how good it is just to interact with normal folks. Also, everyone let's everyone else know how pissed off they are that "the authorities" have let this come to pass, and maybe it's time to start taking some action to put things right.

Finally, for those of a certain frame of mind, their internal Defcon Level goes up a notch or two. Preps are dusted off and contingencies are activated. Mindsets are altered. That's very bad for Them indeed.