Distributed generation (DG) and related regulatory and consumer issues are at the forefront of the energy policy debate. With this in mind, the Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) has announced its latest report, “DG: A Balanced Path Forward: Providing Customer Choice While Ensuring Reliability,” containing an updated set of consensus principles on DG that builds upon its 2013 work on this important topic. The more comprehensive principles will inform and better equip policymakers, regulators, consumer advocates, utilities, and other stakeholders for the integration of distributed technologies in a safe, fair, cost-effective, and reliable manner. CCIF is a collaborative that includes members of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). The report was released ahead of NARUC’s Summer Committee Meetings in Dallas, Texas.

The updated principles were developed through a series of collaborative discussions over the past year between more than 100 leaders from the state commissioner, consumer advocate, and electric utility communities. The 34 consensus principles address the following four areas:

• Financial and Regulatory Issues
• Market Development and Deployment Issues
• Consumer Issues
• Safety, Reliability and System Planning Issues

While offering guidance and assistance, the CCIF principles on DG are not intended to represent or override any individual or collective policies or positions of NARUC, NASUCA, EEI, or other participating organizations.