Myth. DSM programs are based on voluntary participation where customers / members would make changes to their private property to reduce their energy usage and therefore the utilities energy loads. Without having control or requiring participation there is a nominal reduction compared to total power usage.
Other mistrusts
Myth. MEC has never deliberately caused large power outages due to lack of power. MEC opts to buy the power, often times expensively, on the market, rather than having rolling blackouts. However, there are limits on how much power is available on the open market. That's why the MEP is needed.