My point is that DERs offer a cheaper path to doubling the capacity of the grid, particularly in terms of otherwise needed investment to upgrade distribution and transmission systems. But a cheaper path doesn't mean cheaper overall. The goal is to drive economic growth, manufacturing, AI, etc.

You're spot on, I was saying that wrong. I really should just have used "vertically integrated". My point is that a central planning function that can price and model transmission, distribution and generation has an advantage. Where that entity gets its equity is less relevant.