Does your electric utility company offer the option to email or text?
I think my utility, PG&E in California, does offer this service. Im not using it, because I see no value for myself, right now. I have to assume, though, that the offer was not made in a vacuum; its an investor-owned utility, and they are not going to do something for no perceived benefit. Perhaps the PUC requires it; or perhaps there are customers who vitally need this service. I can imagine a situation where I might be away from home for a few days and get such a message, that the power is out. Perhaps I might want to call a neighbor to, oh I dont know, let the dogs out. Move things out of the freezer. Take some action to set things up when I get home. Or at least be prepared to enter a cold dark house. Perhaps this could be a very important service for a small business owner. No power, no alarm system. Maybe the business has perishable items that need taking care of. Again, its not a service I need right now, although in other circumstances it could be useful to know, when Im away, that the power is out.