Utilities are turning to distributed energy resources (DERs) like electric vehicles and batteries to meet growing power demand and avoid costly grid upgrades, with virtual power plants offering a cheaper and faster alternative. Inclusive utility investment is proposed as a solution to scale DERs beyond affluent early adopters and increase participation in virtual power plants, ultimately helping states meet their grid flexibility and affordability goals. The Equitable Energy Upgrade Program (EEUP) in Illinois aims to expand deployment of residential solar, storage, and flexible assets through inclusive utility investment, with the potential for additional revenue from virtual power plant participation. Virginia is responding to the costs of data center growth by implementing initiatives such as a virtual power plant pilot and creating a new rate class for data center customers, focusing on redirecting capital towards distributed energy resources for a reliable and affordable grid. The future of the grid will depend on enabling broad participation in virtual power plants and flexible devices.