I tend to disagree, in the same way that it is better to use higher efficiency class dishwasher or washing machines it is better to use code that achieves the same with less computing power.
Saying that the increase in energy demand through reason x does not mean that efficiency efforts are in vain.
HE washers have been known to fail more quickly, are more complex and expensive to repair, and not do as good of a job as the machines they replaced, so I don't think that's a good analogy.
