Advisory Group

In late 2025, NESP will publish NSPM for DERs version 2, incorporating lessons learned from use of the NSPM in jurisdictions across the U.S. and Canada for several years.

To support this effort, NESP convened an Advisory Group. The group includes a diverse set of stakeholders, such as representatives from state and federal agencies (public utilities commissions, state energy offices, and national associations), utilities, evaluators, DER providers, consumer advocates, NGOs, and others.

The revised NSPM will expand on key topics related to benefit-cost analysis (BCA). It will:

• Clarify the role of BCA as a part of a broader decision framework for DER resource investments
• Update the NSPM Principles and NSPM multi-step process based on state experience
• Expand guidance and examples of BCA application across different regulatory contexts (e.g., programs, procurement, distribution system planning, state planning)
• Update guidance in DER specific chapters: DG (e.g., community solar), DS, electrification
• Incorporate multi-DER use case examples and guidance (e.g., VPPs, microgrids), and updating guidance on BCA in dynamic system planning
• Expand existing guidance on conducting rate and bill impact analyses alongside BCAs
• Update guidance on selecting discount rates to apply in BCAs

The 2017 and 2020 NSPM versions were developed with guidance from a prior Advisory Group, active 2017-2023.