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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
 
FORM 10‑Q
 
 
 
 
 
x  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018
 
 
OR
 
 
o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from _____to_____
 
 
 
 
Commission
 
Registrant; State of Incorporation;
 
IRS Employer
File Number
 
Address; and Telephone Number
 
Identification No.
1-9513
 
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
 
38-2726431
 
 
(A Michigan Corporation)
 
 
 
 
One Energy Plaza, Jackson, Michigan 49201
 
 
 
 
(517) 788-0550
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-5611
 
CONSUMERS ENERGY COMPANY
 
38-0442310
 
 
(A Michigan Corporation)
 
 
 
 
One Energy Plaza, Jackson, Michigan 49201
 
 
 
 
(517) 788-0550
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
CMS Energy Corporation: Yes x  No o
Consumers Energy Company: Yes x  No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
CMS Energy Corporation: Yes x  No o
Consumers Energy Company: Yes x  No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non‑accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
CMS Energy Corporation:
Consumers Energy Company:
Large accelerated filer x
Large accelerated filer o
Non‑accelerated filer o
Non‑accelerated filer x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Emerging growth company o
Emerging growth company o
Accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
Smaller reporting company o
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
CMS Energy Corporation: o
Consumers Energy Company: o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
CMS Energy Corporation: Yes o  No x
Consumers Energy Company: Yes o  No x
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock at July 11, 2018:
CMS Energy Corporation:
 
CMS Energy Common Stock, $0.01 par value
 
(including 20,316 shares owned by Consumers Energy)
283,265,427
 
Consumers Energy Company:
 
Consumers Common Stock, $10 par value, privately held by CMS Energy Corporation
84,108,789
 

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Table of Contents

CMS Energy Corporation
Consumers Energy Company
Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Period Ended June 30, 2018
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Glossary
Certain terms used in the text and financial statements are defined below.
2016 Energy Law
Michigan’s Public Acts 341 and 342 of 2016
2017 Form 10-K
Each of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2017
ABATE
Association of Businesses Advocating Tariff Equity
AOCI
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
ARO
Asset retirement obligation
ASU
Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update
Bay Harbor
A residential/commercial real estate area located near Petoskey, Michigan, in which CMS Energy sold its interest in 2002
bcf
Billion cubic feet
Cantera Gas Company
Cantera Gas Company LLC, a non‑affiliated company, formerly known as CMS Field Services
Cantera Natural Gas, Inc.
Cantera Natural Gas, Inc., a non‑affiliated company that purchased CMS Field Services
CCR
Coal combustion residual
CEO
Chief Executive Officer
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended
CFO
Chief Financial Officer
Clean Air Act
Federal Clean Air Act of 1963, as amended
Clean Water Act
Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended
CMS Capital
CMS Capital, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Energy

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CMS Energy
CMS Energy Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise noted; the parent of Consumers and CMS Enterprises
CMS Enterprises
CMS Enterprises Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Energy
CMS ERM
CMS Energy Resource Management Company, formerly known as CMS MST, a wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Enterprises
CMS Field Services
CMS Field Services, Inc., a former wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Gas Transmission Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Enterprises
CMS Land
CMS Land Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Capital
CMS MST
CMS Marketing, Services and Trading Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Enterprises, whose name was changed to CMS ERM in 2004
Consumers
Consumers Energy Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise noted; a wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Energy
CSAPR
The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule of 2011, as amended
DB Pension Plans
Defined benefit pension plans of CMS Energy and Consumers, including certain present and former affiliates and subsidiaries
DB SERP
Defined Benefit Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
Dodd-Frank Act
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010
EBITDA
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization
EEI
Edison Electric Institute, an association representing all U.S. investor-owned electric companies
EnerBank
EnerBank USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Capital
energy waste reduction
The reduction of energy consumption through energy efficiency and demand-side energy conservation, as established under the 2016 Energy Law
EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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EPS
Earnings per share
Exchange Act
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
FDIC
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FERC
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FTR
Financial transmission right
GAAP
U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GCR
Gas cost recovery
Genesee
Genesee Power Station Limited Partnership, a variable interest entity in which HYDRA-CO Enterprises, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Enterprises, has a 50-percent interest
IRP
Integrated resource plan
kWh
Kilowatt-hour, a unit of energy equal to one thousand watt-hours
Ludington
Ludington pumped-storage plant, jointly owned by Consumers and DTE Electric Company, a non‑affiliated company
MATS
Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which limit mercury, acid gases, and other toxic pollution from coal-fueled and oil-fueled power plants
MCV Partnership
Midland Cogeneration Venture Limited Partnership
MCV PPA
PPA between Consumers and the MCV Partnership
MD&A
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
MDEQ
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
METC
Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC, a non‑affiliated company
MGP
Manufactured gas plant

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Michigan Mercury Rule
Michigan Air Pollution Control Rules of 2009, as amended, Part 15: Emission Limitations and Prohibitions – Mercury
MISO
Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.
mothball
To place a generating unit into a state of extended reserve shutdown in which the unit is inactive and unavailable for service for a specified period, during which the unit can be brought back into service after receiving appropriate notification and completing any necessary maintenance or other work; generation owners in MISO must request approval to mothball a unit, and MISO then evaluates the request for reliability impacts
MPSC
Michigan Public Service Commission
MW
Megawatt, a unit of power equal to one million watts
NAAQS
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, a permit system for regulating point sources of pollution under the Clean Water Act
NREPA
Part 201 of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act of 1994, as amended
NSR
New Source Review, a construction-permitting program under the Clean Air Act
OPEB
Other Post-Employment Benefits
OPEB Plan
Postretirement health care and life insurance plans of CMS Energy and Consumers, including certain present and former affiliates and subsidiaries
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PCB
Polychlorinated biphenyl
PHMSA
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
PPA
Power purchase agreement
PSCR
Power supply cost recovery

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PURPA
The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
RCRA
The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976
REC
Renewable energy credit
ROA
Retail Open Access, which allows electric generation customers to choose alternative electric suppliers pursuant to Michigan’s Public Acts 141 and 142 of 2000, as amended
SEC
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
securitization
A financing method authorized by statute and approved by the MPSC which allows a utility to sell its right to receive a portion of the rate payments received from its customers for the repayment of securitization bonds issued by a special-purpose entity affiliated with such utility
Smart Energy
Consumers’ Smart Energy grid modernization project, which includes the installation of smart meters that transmit and receive data, a two-way communications network, and modifications to Consumers’ existing information technology system to manage the data and enable changes to key business processes
TCJA
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
T.E.S. Filer City
T.E.S. Filer City Station Limited Partnership, a variable interest entity in which HYDRA-CO Enterprises, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Enterprises, has a 50-percent interest

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Filing Format
This combined Form 10‑Q is separately filed by CMS Energy and Consumers. Information in this combined Form 10‑Q relating to each individual registrant is filed by such registrant on its own behalf. Consumers makes no representation regarding information relating to any other companies affiliated with CMS Energy other than its own subsidiaries. None of CMS Energy, CMS Enterprises, nor any of CMS Energy’s other subsidiaries (other than Consumers) has any obligation in respect of Consumers’ debt securities and holders of such debt securities should not consider the financial resources or results of operations of CMS Energy, CMS Enterprises, nor any of CMS Energy’s other subsidiaries (other than Consumers and its own subsidiaries (in relevant circumstances)) in making a decision with respect to Consumers’ debt securities. Similarly, neither Consumers nor any other subsidiary of CMS Energy has any obligation in respect of debt securities of CMS Energy.
This report should be read in its entirety. No one section of this report deals with all aspects of the subject matter of this report. This report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes and with MD&A included in the 2017 Form 10‑K.
Available Information
CMS Energy’s internet address is www.cmsenergy.com. CMS Energy routinely posts important information on its website and considers the Investor Relations section, www.cmsenergy.com/investor-relations, a channel of distribution. Information contained on CMS Energy’s website is not incorporated herein.
Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This Form 10‑Q and other CMS Energy and Consumers disclosures may contain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of “might,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “predicts,” “assumes,” and other similar words is intended to identify forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainty. This discussion of potential risks and uncertainties is designed to highlight important factors that may impact CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ businesses and financial outlook. CMS Energy and Consumers have no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements regardless of whether new information, future events, or any other factors affect the information contained in the statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to various factors that could cause CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following, all of which are potentially significant:
•
the impact of new regulation by the MPSC, FERC, and other applicable governmental proceedings and regulations, including any associated impact on electric or gas rates or rate structures
•
potentially adverse regulatory treatment or failure to receive timely regulatory orders affecting Consumers that are or could come before the MPSC, FERC, or other governmental authorities
•
changes in the performance of or regulations applicable to MISO, METC, pipelines, railroads, vessels, or other service providers that CMS Energy, Consumers, or any of their affiliates rely on to serve their customers
•
the adoption of federal or state laws or regulations or challenges to federal or state laws or regulations, or changes in applicable laws, rules, regulations, principles, or practices, or in their interpretation, such as those related to energy policy and ROA, infrastructure integrity or security, gas pipeline safety,

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•
gas pipeline capacity, energy waste reduction, the environment, regulation or deregulation, reliability, health care reforms (including comprehensive health care reform enacted in 2010), taxes, accounting matters, climate change, air emissions, renewable energy, potential effects of the Dodd-Frank Act, and other business issues that could have an impact on CMS Energy’s, Consumers’, or any of their affiliates’ businesses or financial results
•
factors affecting operations, such as costs and availability of personnel, equipment, and materials; weather conditions; natural disasters; catastrophic weather-related damage; scheduled or unscheduled equipment outages; maintenance or repairs; environmental incidents; failures of equipment or materials; and electric transmission and distribution or gas pipeline system constraints
•
increases in demand for renewable energy by customers seeking to meet sustainability goals
•
the ability of Consumers to execute its cost-reduction strategies
•
potentially adverse regulatory or legal interpretations or decisions regarding environmental matters, or delayed regulatory treatment or permitting decisions that are or could come before the MDEQ, EPA, and/or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and potential environmental remediation costs associated with these interpretations or decisions, including those that may affect Bay Harbor or Consumers’ routine maintenance, repair, and replacement classification under NSR regulations
•
changes in energy markets, including availability and price of electric capacity and the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices and availability and deliverability of coal, natural gas, natural gas liquids, electricity, oil, and certain related products
•
the price of CMS Energy common stock, the credit ratings of CMS Energy and Consumers, capital and financial market conditions, and the effect of these market conditions on CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ interest costs and access to the capital markets, including availability of financing to CMS Energy, Consumers, or any of their affiliates
•
the investment performance of the assets of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ pension and benefit plans, the discount rates used in calculating the plans’ obligations, and the resulting impact on future funding requirements
•
the impact of the economy, particularly in Michigan, and potential future volatility in the financial and credit markets on CMS Energy’s, Consumers’, or any of their affiliates’ revenues, ability to collect accounts receivable from customers, or cost and availability of capital
•
changes in the economic and financial viability of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ suppliers, customers, and other counterparties and the continued ability of these third parties, including those in bankruptcy, to meet their obligations to CMS Energy and Consumers
•
population changes in the geographic areas where CMS Energy and Consumers conduct business
•
national, regional, and local economic, competitive, and regulatory policies, conditions, and developments
•
loss of customer demand for electric generation supply to alternative electric suppliers, increased use of distributed generation, or energy waste reduction
•
adverse consequences of employee, director, or third-party fraud or non‑compliance with codes of conduct

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•
federal regulation of electric sales and transmission of electricity, including periodic re‑examination by federal regulators of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ market-based sales authorizations
•
the impact of credit markets, economic conditions, increased competition, and any new banking and consumer protection regulations on EnerBank
•
the availability, cost, coverage, and terms of insurance, the stability of insurance providers, and the ability of Consumers to recover the costs of any insurance from customers
•
the effectiveness of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ risk management policies, procedures, and strategies, including strategies to hedge risk related to future prices of electricity, natural gas, and other energy-related commodities
•
factors affecting development of electric generation projects and gas and electric transmission and distribution infrastructure replacement, conversion, and expansion projects, including factors related to project site identification, construction material pricing, schedule delays, availability of qualified construction personnel, permitting, acquisition of property rights, and government approvals
•
potential disruption to, interruption of, or other impacts on facilities, utility infrastructure, operations, or backup systems due to accidents, explosions, physical disasters, cyber incidents, vandalism, war, or terrorism, and the ability to obtain or maintain insurance coverage for these events
•
changes or disruption in fuel supply, including but not limited to supplier bankruptcy and delivery disruptions
•
potential costs, lost revenues, or other consequences resulting from misappropriation of assets or sensitive information, corruption of data, or operational disruption in connection with a cyber attack or other cyber incident
•
potential disruption to, interruption or failure of, or other impacts on information technology backup or disaster recovery systems
•
technological developments in energy production, storage, delivery, usage, and metering
•
the ability to implement technology successfully
•
the impact of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ integrated business software system and its effects on their operations, including utility customer billing and collections
•
adverse consequences resulting from any past, present, or future assertion of indemnity or warranty claims associated with assets and businesses previously owned by CMS Energy or Consumers, including claims resulting from attempts by foreign or domestic governments to assess taxes on or to impose environmental liability associated with past operations or transactions
•
the outcome, cost, and other effects of any legal or administrative claims, proceedings, investigations, or settlements
•
the reputational impact on CMS Energy and Consumers of operational incidents, violations of corporate policies, regulatory violations, inappropriate use of social media, and other events

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•
restrictions imposed by various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements on the ability of Consumers and other subsidiaries of CMS Energy to transfer funds to CMS Energy in the form of cash dividends, loans, or advances
•
earnings volatility resulting from the application of fair value accounting to certain energy commodity contracts or interest rate contracts
•
changes in financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies
•
other matters that may be disclosed from time to time in CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ SEC filings, or in other public documents
All forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of the risk and other factors described above and as detailed from time to time in CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ SEC filings. For additional details regarding these and other uncertainties, see Part I—Item 1. Financial Statements—MD&A—Outlook and Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 2, Regulatory Matters and Note 3, Contingencies and Commitments; and Part II—Item 1A. Risk Factors.

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Part I—Financial Information
Item 1.    Financial Statements
Index to Financial Statements

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CMS Energy Corporation
Consumers Energy Company
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This MD&A is a combined report of CMS Energy and Consumers.
Executive Overview
CMS Energy is an energy company operating primarily in Michigan. It is the parent holding company of several subsidiaries, including Consumers, an electric and gas utility, and CMS Enterprises, primarily a domestic independent power producer. Consumers’ electric utility operations include the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity, and Consumers’ gas utility operations include the purchase, transmission, storage, distribution, and sale of natural gas. Consumers’ customer base consists of a mix of residential, commercial, and diversified industrial customers. CMS Enterprises, through its subsidiaries and equity investments, is engaged in domestic independent power production, the marketing of independent power production, and the development and operation of renewable generation.
CMS Energy and Consumers manage their businesses by the nature of services each provides. CMS Energy operates principally in three business segments: electric utility; gas utility; and enterprises, its non‑utility operations and investments. Consumers operates principally in two business segments: electric utility and gas utility. CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ businesses are affected primarily by:
•
regulation and regulatory matters
•
state and federal legislation
•
economic conditions
•
weather
•
energy commodity prices
•
interest rates
•
their securities’ credit ratings
The Triple Bottom Line
CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ purpose is to achieve world class performance while delivering hometown service. In support of this purpose, the companies employ the “Consumers Energy Way,” a lean operating model designed to improve safety, quality, cost, delivery, and employee morale.
CMS Energy and Consumers measure their progress toward the purpose by considering their impact on the “triple bottom line” of people, planet, and profit, which is underpinned by performance; this consideration takes into account not only the economic value that the companies create for customers and investors, but also their responsibility to social and environmental goals. The triple bottom line balances the interests of the companies’ employees, customers, suppliers, regulators, creditors, Michigan’s residents, the investment community, and other stakeholders, and it reflects the broader societal impacts of the companies’ activities.
cmsimage0.jpg

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Consumers’ Sustainability Report, which is available to the public, describes the company’s progress toward world class performance measured in the areas of people, planet, and profit.
People: The people element of the triple bottom line represents CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ commitment to their employees, their customers, the residents of local communities in which the companies do business, and other stakeholders.
The safety of employees, customers, and the general public is a priority of CMS Energy and Consumers. Accordingly, CMS Energy and Consumers have worked to integrate a set of safety principles into their business operations and culture. These principles include complying with applicable safety, health, and security regulations and implementing programs and processes aimed at continually improving safety and security conditions. The number of recordable safety incidents in 2017 was 65, compared with 73 in 2016 and 106 in 2015. The number of recordable safety incidents in 2017 was the lowest in Consumers’ history. In 2017, Consumers’ OSHA recordable incident rate was 0.77, compared with 0.88 in 2016 and 1.31 in 2015, and was the lowest among its EEI peer group.
CMS Energy and Consumers also place a high priority on customer value and on providing a hometown customer experience. Consumers’ customer-driven investment program is aimed at improving safety and increasing electric and gas reliability, which has resulted in measurable improvements in customer satisfaction.
Central to Consumers’ commitment to its customers are the initiatives it has undertaken to keep electricity and natural gas affordable, including:
•
replacement of coal-fueled generation with cleaner and more efficient gas-fueled generation, renewable energy, and energy waste reduction and demand response programs
•
targeted infrastructure investment, including the installation of smart meters
•
information and control system efficiencies
•
employee and retiree health care cost sharing
•
workforce productivity enhancements
In addition, Consumers’ gas commodity costs declined by 60 percent from 2007 through 2017, due not only to a decrease in market prices but also to Consumers’ improvements to its gas infrastructure and optimization of its gas purchasing and storage strategy. These gas commodity savings are passed on to customers.
Consumers filed an IRP with the MPSC in June 2018, detailing its long-term strategy for delivering reliable and affordable energy to its customers through the increased use of energy efficiency and customer demand management programs and additional renewable energy. The IRP supports Consumers’ commitment to the triple bottom line.
Planet: The planet element of the triple bottom line represents CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ commitment to protect the environment; this commitment extends beyond complying with the various state and federal environmental and health and safety laws and regulations to which CMS Energy and Consumers are subject. Management considers climate change risk and other environmental risks in the companies’ strategy development, business planning, and enterprise risk management processes. By November 30, 2018, CMS Energy will publish a climate assessment report of the long-term impacts on the company’s portfolio, of public policies and technological advances that are consistent with limiting global warming to no more than two degrees Celsius over pre‑industrial levels.

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CMS Energy and Consumers continue to focus on opportunities to protect the environment and to reduce their carbon footprint. As a result of actions already taken by CMS Energy and Consumers, including the retirement of seven of Consumers’ coal-fueled electric generating units in 2016, the companies have:
•
decreased their combined percentage of electric supply (self-generated and purchased) from coal by 16 percentage points since 2015
•
reduced carbon dioxide emissions by over 35 percent since 2005
•
reduced the amount of water used to generate electricity by over 35 percent since 2012
•
reduced landfill waste disposal by over one million cubic yards since 1992
Additionally, over the last 20 years, Consumers has reduced its sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, and mercury emissions by 90 percent.
The 2016 Energy Law, which became effective in April 2017:
•
raised the renewable energy standard from the present ten-percent requirement to 12.5 percent by 2019 and 15 percent by 2021
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established a goal of 35 percent combined renewable energy and energy waste reduction by 2025
•
authorized incentives for demand response programs and expanded existing incentives for energy efficiency programs, referring to the combined initiatives as energy waste reduction programs
•
established an integrated planning process for new generation resources
In June 2018, Consumers filed an IRP with the MPSC, detailing how Consumers will meet the requirements of the 2016 Energy Law and reflecting its clean and lean energy strategy. This strategy focuses on increasing the generation of renewable energy, helping customers use less energy, and offering demand response programs to reduce demand during critical peak times.
In its IRP, Consumers details its plans to replace coal-fueled generation with investment in renewable energy, proposing renewable energy levels of 25 percent by 2025, over 35 percent by 2030, and over 40 percent by 2040. The attainment of these renewable energy levels will enable Consumers to meet and exceed the 2016 Energy Law renewable energy requirements and fulfill increasing customer demand for renewable energy. The IRP supports the following clean energy goals, which Consumers announced during 2018:
•
a breakthrough goal to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent and to eliminate the use of coal to generate electricity by 2040
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a target of at least 50 percent combined renewable energy and energy waste reduction by 2030
Additionally, in an effort to advance its environmental stewardship in Michigan and to minimize the impact of future regulations, Consumers announced these five-year targets during 2018:
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to reduce its water use by one billion gallons
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to reduce the amount of waste taken to landfills by 35 percent
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to enhance, restore, or protect 5,000 acres of land
CMS Energy, through its non‑utility businesses, continues to pursue further opportunities for the development of renewable generation projects. CMS Enterprises recently completed the development and construction of an 8‑MW solar generation project in Michigan and expects to complete a 16‑MW solar generation project in August 2018. CMS Enterprises also entered into an agreement to purchase a 105‑MW wind generation project in Ohio. Renewable energy produced by the wind generation project has been committed to General Motors LLC, a non‑affiliated company, under a 15‑year PPA.
CMS Energy and Consumers are monitoring numerous legislative, policy, and regulatory initiatives, including those to regulate greenhouse gases, and related litigation. While CMS Energy and Consumers cannot predict the outcome of these matters, which could have a material effect on the companies, they intend to continue to move forward with their clean and lean energy strategy.

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Profit: The profit element of the triple bottom line represents CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ commitment to meeting financial objectives and providing economic development opportunities and benefits in the communities in which they do business. CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ financial strength allows them to maintain solid investment-grade credit ratings and thereby reduce funding costs for the benefit of customers and investors, to preserve and create jobs, and to reinvest in the communities they serve.
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, CMS Energy’s net income available to common stockholders was $380 million, and diluted EPS were $1.35. This compares with net income available to common stockholders of $291 million and diluted EPS of $1.04 for the six months ended June 30, 2017. In 2018, higher sales, rate increases, and lower postretirement benefits costs were offset partially by higher depreciation on increased plant in service. A more detailed discussion of the factors affecting CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ performance can be found in the Results of Operations section that follows this Executive Overview.
Consumers projects that its electric and gas weather-normalized deliveries will remain stable through 2022. This outlook reflects growth in electric demand offset by the effects of energy waste reduction programs, and growth in gas demand offset by energy efficiency and conservation.
Performance: Impacting the Triple Bottom Line
During 2017, CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ commitment to achieving world class performance while delivering hometown service resulted in the companies’ best-ever performance in the areas of safety, service, and customer satisfaction. Leveraging the Consumers Energy Way, the companies met record-breaking goals in the areas of:
•
lowering recordable safety incidents
•
improving customer satisfaction scores
•
decreasing the duration of customer outages
•
responding faster to customer calls
•
achieving on-time delivery commitments
•
reading more meters monthly
•
improving the accuracy of customer bills
•
delivering energy efficiency solutions to customers
CMS Energy and Consumers will continue to utilize the Consumers Energy Way to enable them to achieve world class performance and positively impact the triple bottom line. Consumers’ investment plan and the regulatory environment in which it operates also drive its ability to impact the triple bottom line.
Investment Plan: Consumers expects to make significant expenditures on infrastructure upgrades and replacements and electric supply projects from 2018 through 2027. While it has a large number of potential investment opportunities that would add customer value, Consumers has prioritized its spending based on the criteria of enhancing public safety, increasing reliability, maintaining affordability for its customers, and advancing its environmental stewardship. Consumers’ investment program is expected to result in annual rate-base growth of six to eight percent. This rate-base growth, together with cost-control initiatives, should allow Consumers to maintain affordable customer prices.

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Presented in the following illustration are planned capital expenditures of $10.1 billion that Consumers expects to make from 2018 through 2022:
cmsimage1.jpg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas infrastructure
 
 
($4.9 billion)
 
 
 
 
 
Electric distribution
 
 
($3.5 billion)
 
 
 
 
 
Electric supply
 
 
($1.7 billion)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumers plans to spend $8.4 billion over the next five years to maintain and upgrade its gas infrastructure and electric distribution systems in order to enhance safety and reliability, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce energy waste on those systems. The gas infrastructure projects comprise $4.9 billion to sustain deliverability and enhance pipeline integrity and safety. These projects, which involve replacement of mains and services and enhancement of transmission and storage systems, should reduce the minor quantity of methane emissions released as gas is transported. The electric distribution projects comprise $3.5 billion to strengthen circuits and substations and replace poles. Consumers also expects to spend $1.7 billion on electric supply projects, representing new generation, including renewable generation, and environmental investments needed to comply with state and federal laws and regulations.
Regulation: Regulatory matters are a key aspect of Consumers’ business, particularly rate cases and regulatory proceedings before the MPSC, which permit recovery of new investments while helping to ensure that customer rates are fair and affordable. Important regulatory events and developments not already discussed are summarized below.
•
2017 Electric Rate Case: In March 2017, Consumers filed an application with the MPSC seeking an annual rate increase of $173 million, based on a 10.5 percent authorized return on equity. The filing requested authority to recover new investment in system reliability, environmental compliance, and technology enhancements. In September 2017, Consumers reduced its requested annual rate increase to $148 million. The MPSC issued an order in March 2018, authorizing an annual rate increase of $66 million, based on a 10.0 percent authorized return on equity. In June 2018, as a result of a petition for rehearing filed by Consumers, the MPSC issued an order adjusting the authorized annual rate increase to $72 million by allowing recovery of additional retirement benefit plan costs.
•
2018 Electric Rate Case: In May 2018, Consumers filed an application with the MPSC seeking an annual rate increase of $58 million, based on a 10.75 percent authorized return on equity. The filing requests authority to recover new investment in system reliability, environmental compliance, and technology enhancements. The filing also seeks approval of an investment recovery mechanism that would provide for an additional annual rate increase of $49 million beginning in 2020 and another $48 million beginning in 2021 for incremental investments that Consumers plans to make for distribution infrastructure, subject to reconciliation.

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•
Gas Rate Case: In October 2017, Consumers filed an application with the MPSC seeking an annual rate increase of $178 million, based on a 10.5 percent authorized return on equity. The largest component of the request was an annual revenue requirement of $162 million related to infrastructure investment and related costs that would allow Consumers to improve system safety, capacity, and deliverability. In March 2018, Consumers reduced its requested revenue requirement to $145 million, before taking into consideration any impact of the TCJA. Consumers further reduced its requested revenue requirement to $83 million to reflect the impact of the TCJA, offset partially by an increase in the authorized return on equity to 10.75 percent to compensate for the anticipated negative effects of tax reform on Consumers’ cash flows from operating activities. In July 2018, Consumers reduced its requested revenue requirement to $60 million, based on a 10.0 percent authorized return on equity.
In July 2018, the administrative law judge issued a proposal for decision, recommending an annual rate increase of $11 million, based on a 10.0 percent authorized return on equity. The administrative law judge also recommended approval of the revenue decoupling mechanism, as proposed, and the investment recovery mechanism, as requested with modifications. In addition, based on the position of the MPSC Staff, the administrative law judge recommended the disallowance of cost recovery for certain categories of historical capital expenditures incurred by Consumers. If, in the final order in this case, the MPSC were to adopt some or all of the administrative law judge’s recommendations, Consumers would be required to write off up to $145 million of assets. A final order is expected by the end of August 2018.
•
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: The TCJA, which changed existing federal tax law and included numerous provisions that affect businesses, was signed into law in December 2017. In February 2018, the MPSC ordered Consumers to file various proceedings to determine the reduction in its electric and gas revenue requirements as a result of the TCJA. The MPSC also ordered Consumers to implement bill credits to reflect that reduction until customer rates are adjusted through Consumers’ general rate cases. Consumers filed the first of these proceedings in March 2018, requesting a $49 million reduction in its annual gas revenue requirement. The MPSC approved this reduction in June 2018, with credits to customer bills beginning in July 2018. Consumers filed the second proceeding in April 2018, requesting a $113 million reduction in its annual electric revenue requirement. The MPSC approved this reduction in July 2018, with credits to customer bills beginning in August 2018. These credits will reduce rates prospectively for the impact of the TCJA but do not include potential refunds associated with Consumers’ remeasurement of its deferred income taxes; these will be considered in a subsequent proceeding.
By October 2018, Consumers will file two more proceedings to address amounts collected from customers during 2018 through the implementation of the first two proceedings. Consumers’ liability for customer refunds for amounts over-collected during that time was $88 million at June 30, 2018.
Consumers will also file, by October 2018, additional proceedings to address the December 31, 2017 remeasurement of its deferred income taxes and any other impacts of the TCJA on customers.
Looking Forward
CMS Energy and Consumers will continue to consider the impact on the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit in their daily operations as well as in their long-term strategic decisions. Consumers will continue to seek fair and timely regulatory treatment that will support its customer-driven investment plan, while pursuing cost-control initiatives that will allow it to maintain sustainable customer base rates. The Consumers Energy Way is an important means of realizing CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ purpose of achieving world class performance while delivering hometown service.

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Results of Operations
CMS Energy Consolidated Results of Operations
In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
June 30
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders
 
$
139

 
$
92

 
$
47

 
 
$
380

 
$
291

 
$
89

Basic Earnings Per Average Common Share
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.33

 
$
0.16

 
 
$
1.35

 
$
1.04

 
$
0.31

Diluted Earnings Per Average Common Share
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.33

 
$
0.16

 
 
$
1.35

 
$
1.04

 
$
0.31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In Millions
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
June 30
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
Electric utility
 
$
130

 
$
94

 
$
36

 
 
$
269

 
$
218

 
$
51

Gas utility
 
21

 
9

 
12

 
 
124

 
96

 
28

Enterprises
 
14

 
7

 
7

 
 
29

 
19

 
10

Corporate interest and other
 
(26
)
 
(18
)
 
(8
)
 
 
(42
)
 
(42
)
 
—

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders
 
$
139

 
$
92

 
$
47

 
 
$
380

 
$
291

 
$
89

Presented in the following table are specific after-tax changes to CMS Energy’s net income available to common stockholders for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 versus 2017:
In Millions
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2017
 
 
 
$
92

 
 
 
 
$
291

Reasons for the change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumers electric utility and gas utility
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric sales
 
$
16

 
 
 
 
$
11

 
 
Gas sales
 
14

 
 
 
 
34

 
 
Electric rate increase
 
13

 
 
 
 
25

 
 
Gas rate increase
 
6

 
 
 
 
16

 
 
OPEB Plan changes
 
13

 
 
 
 
27

 
 
2017 service restoration costs following severe storms
 
—

 
 
 
 
8

 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
(5
)
 
 
 
 
(17
)
 
 
Other, including $9 million intercompany gain in 2017
 
(9
)
 
48

 
 
(25
)
 
79

Enterprises
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reduction of the corporate income tax rate due to the impacts of the TCJA
 
 
 
1

 
 
 
 
4

Higher earnings from equity method investees and lower maintenance expenses at subsidiaries
 
 
 
3

 
 
 
 
3

Expiration of indemnity obligation
 
 
 
3

 
 
 
 
3

Corporate interest and other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017 elimination of an intercompany gain on the donation of CMS Energy stock
 
 
 
—

 
 
 
 
9

Lower fixed charges and administrative and other expenses
 
 
 
3

 
 
 
 
3

Lower tax benefit due to the impacts of the TCJA
 
 
 
(7
)
 
 
 
 
(8
)
Loss on the early extinguishment of debt
 
 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
 
(4
)
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
$
139

 
 
 
 
$
380


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Consumers Electric Utility Results of Operations
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, Consumers electric utility’s net income available to common stockholders was $130 million. This compares with net income available to common stockholders of $94 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. In 2018, higher net income was due primarily to a rate increase and higher sales as a result of favorable weather. Lower tax expense in 2018 resulting from the TCJA was offset fully by a reduction in revenue to reflect Consumers’ obligation to refund TCJA-related benefits to its customers. Presented in the following table are the detailed changes to the electric utility’s net income available to common stockholders for the three months ended June 30, 2018 versus 2017:
In Millions
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
 
 
$
94

Reasons for the change
 
 
 
 
Electric deliveries1 and rate increases
 
 
 
 
Rate increase, including the impacts of the March 2018 order
 
$
19

 
 
Higher sales due primarily to favorable weather in 2018
 
20

 
 
Higher energy waste reduction program revenues
 
6

 
 
Increase in other revenues
 
1

 
$
46

Revenue reserve for impacts of the TCJA
 
 
 
 
Reserve for future customer refunds2
 
 
 
(34
)
Maintenance and other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
Mutual insurance distribution in 2018
 
3

 
 
Higher energy waste reduction program costs
 
(6
)
 
 
Higher other operating and maintenance expenses
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
Increased plant in service, reflecting higher capital spending
 
 
 
(4
)
General taxes
 
 
 
(1
)
Other income, net of expenses
 
 
 
 
Impact of OPEB Plan changes approved in November 2017
 
10

 


Other income, net of expenses
 
(1
)
 
9

Interest charges
 
 
 
(1
)
Income taxes
 
 
 
 
Reduction of the corporate income tax rate due to the impacts of the TCJA
 
27

 
 
Higher electric utility earnings
 
(6
)
 
 
Lower other income taxes
 
5

 
26

Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
$
130

1 
Deliveries to end-use customers were 9.2 billion kWh in 2018 and 9.0 billion kWh in 2017.
2 
See Note 2, Regulatory Matters.

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For the six months ended June 30, 2018, Consumers electric utility’s net income available to common stockholders was $269 million. This compares with net income available to common stockholders of $218 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. In 2018, higher net income was due primarily to a rate increase and higher sales as a result of favorable weather. Lower tax expense in 2018 resulting from the TCJA was offset fully by a reduction in revenue to reflect Consumers’ obligation to refund TCJA-related benefits to its customers. Presented in the following table are the detailed changes to the electric utility’s net income available to common stockholders for the six months ended June 30, 2018 versus 2017:
In Millions
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
 
 
$
218

Reasons for the change
 
 
 
 
Electric deliveries1 and rate increases
 
 
 
 
Rate increase, including the impacts of the March 2018 order
 
$
34

 
 
Higher sales due primarily to favorable weather in 2018
 
17

 
 
Higher energy waste reduction program revenues
 
15

 
 
Decrease in other revenues
 
(2
)
 
$
64

Revenue reserve for impacts of the TCJA
 
 
 
 
Reserve for future customer refunds2
 
 
 
(69
)
Maintenance and other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
2017 service restoration costs following severe storms
 
11

 
 
Mutual insurance distribution in 2018
 
7

 
 
Higher energy waste reduction program costs
 
(15
)
 
 
Higher other operating and maintenance expenses
 
(4
)
 
(1
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
Increased plant in service, reflecting higher capital spending
 
 
 
(10
)
General taxes
 
 
 
 
Settlement of a property tax appeal related to the Campbell plant in 2018
 
9

 
 
Settlement of a property tax appeal related to the Zeeland plant in 2017
 
(10
)
 
 
Higher other general taxes
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
Other income, net of expenses
 
 
 
 
Impact of OPEB Plan changes approved in November 2017
 
21

 
 
2017 gain on the donation of CMS Energy stock3
 
(9
)
 
 
Lower other income, net of expenses
 
(3
)
 
9

Interest charges
 
 
 
 
Higher other interest charges
 
 
 
(3
)
Income taxes
 
 
 
 
Reduction of the corporate income tax rate due to the impacts of the TCJA
 
54

 
 
Research and development tax credits4
 
6

 
 
Lower electric utility earnings
 
2

 
 
Lower other income taxes
 
1

 
63

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
$
269

1 
Deliveries to end-use customers were 18.5 billion kWh in 2018 and 18.2 billion kWh in 2017.
2 
See Note 2, Regulatory Matters.
3 
Gain at segment is eliminated on CMS Energy’s consolidated statements of income.
4 
See Note 9, Income Taxes.

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Consumers Gas Utility Results of Operations
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, Consumers gas utility’s net income available to common stockholders was $21 million. This compares with net income available to common stockholders of $9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. In 2018, higher net income was due primarily to increased sales and a rate increase, offset partially by higher depreciation and property taxes on increased plant in service. Lower tax expense in 2018 resulting from the TCJA was offset fully by a reduction in revenue to reflect Consumers’ obligation to refund TCJA-related benefits to its customers. Presented in the following table are the detailed changes to the gas utility’s net income available to common stockholders for the three months ended June 30, 2018 versus 2017:
In Millions
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
 
 
$
9

Reasons for the change
 
 
 
 
Gas deliveries1 and rate increases
 
 
 
 
Higher sales due primarily to favorable weather in 2018
 
$
12

 
 
Rate increase
 
8

 
 
Increase in other revenues
 
7

 
$
27

Revenue reserve for impacts of the TCJA
 
 
 
 
Reserve for future customer refunds2
 
 
 
(10
)
Maintenance and other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
Increased distribution, transmission, and customer operations expenses
 
(6
)
 
 
Higher other operating and maintenance expenses
 
(2
)
 
(8
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
Increased plant in service, reflecting higher capital spending
 
 
 
(3
)
General taxes
 
 
 
 
Higher property tax, reflecting higher capital spending
 
 
 
(1
)
Other income, net of expenses
 
 
 
 
Impact of OPEB Plan changes approved in November 2017
 
 
 
8

Interest charges
 
 
 
(2
)
Income taxes
 
 
 
 
Reduction of the corporate income tax rate due to the impacts of the TCJA
 
5

 
 
Higher gas utility earnings
 
(4
)
 
1

Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
$
21

1 
Deliveries to end-use customers were 50 bcf in 2018 and 43 bcf in 2017.
2 
See Note 2, Regulatory Matters.

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For the six months ended June 30, 2018, Consumers gas utility’s net income available to common stockholders was $124 million. This compares with net income available to common stockholders of $96 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. In 2018, higher net income was due primarily to increased sales and a rate increase, offset partially by higher depreciation and property taxes on increased plant in service. Lower tax expense in 2018 resulting from the TCJA was offset fully by a reduction in revenue to reflect Consumers’ obligation to refund TCJA-related benefits to its customers. Presented in the following table are the detailed changes to the gas utility’s net income available to common stockholders for the six months ended June 30, 2018 versus 2017:
In Millions
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
 
 
$
96

Reasons for the change
 
 
 
 
Gas deliveries1 and rate increases
 
 
 
 
Higher sales due primarily to favorable weather in 2018
 
$
41

 
 
Rate increase
 
21

 
 
Higher energy waste reduction program revenues
 
17

 
 
Increase in other revenues
 
6

 
$
85

Revenue reserve for impacts of the TCJA
 
 
 
 
Reserve for future customer refunds2
 
 
 
(37
)
Maintenance and other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
Higher energy waste reduction program costs
 
(17
)
 
 
Increased distribution, transmission, and customer operations expenses
 
(10
)
 
 
Higher other operating and maintenance expenses
 
(3
)
 
(30
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
Increased plant in service, reflecting higher capital spending
 
 
 
(13
)
General taxes
 
 
 
 
Higher property taxes, reflecting higher capital spending
 
 
 
(6
)
Other income, net of expenses
 
 
 
 
Impact of OPEB Plan changes approved in November 2017
 
16

 
 
2017 gain on the donation of CMS Energy stock3
 
(5
)
 
11

Interest charges
 
 
 
(3
)
Income taxes
 
 
 
 
Reduction of the corporate income tax rate due to the impacts of the TCJA
 
26

 
 
Higher gas utility earnings
 
(4
)
 
 
Higher other income taxes
 
(1
)
 
21

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
$
124

1 
Deliveries to end-use customers were 183 bcf in 2018 and 162 bcf in 2017.
2 
See Note 2, Regulatory Matters.
3 
Gain at segment is eliminated on CMS Energy’s consolidated statements of income.

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Enterprises Results of Operations
Presented in the following table are the detailed after-tax changes to the enterprises segment’s net income available to common stockholders for the three months ended June 30, 2018 versus 2017:
In Millions
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
 
 
$
7

Reason for the change
 
 
 
 
Higher earnings from equity method investees and lower maintenance expenses at subsidiaries
 
 
 
$
3

Expiration of indemnity obligation
 
 
 
3

Reduction of corporate income tax rate due to the impacts of the TCJA
 
 
 
1

Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
$
14

Presented in the following table are the detailed after-tax changes to the enterprises segment’s net income available to common stockholders for the six months ended June 30, 2018 versus 2017:
In Millions
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
 
 
$
19

Reason for the change
 
 
 
 
Reduction of corporate income tax rate due to the impacts of the TCJA
 
 
 
$
4

Expiration of indemnity obligation
 
 
 
3

Lower maintenance expenses at subsidiaries
 
 
 
3

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
$
29

Corporate Interest and Other Results of Operations
Presented in the following table are the detailed after-tax changes to corporate interest and other results for the three months ended June 30, 2018 versus 2017:
In Millions
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
 
 
$
(18
)
Reasons for the change
 
 
 
 
Lower fixed charges and administrative and other expenses
 
 
 
$
3

Lower tax benefit due to the impacts of the TCJA
 
 
 
(7
)
Loss on the early extinguishment of debt
 
 
 
(4
)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
$
(26
)
Presented in the following table are the detailed after-tax changes to corporate interest and other results for the six months ended June 30, 2018 versus 2017:
In Millions
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
 
 
$
(42
)
Reasons for the change
 
 
 
 

2017 elimination of an intercompany gain on the donation of CMS Energy stock1
 
 
 
$
9

Lower fixed charges and administrative and other expenses
 
 
 
3

Lower tax benefit due to the impacts of the TCJA
 
 
 
(8
)
Loss on the early extinguishment of debt
 
 
 
(4
)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
$
(42
)

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1 
Gain at electric and gas utility segments is eliminated on CMS Energy’s consolidated statements of income.
Cash Position, Investing, and Financing
At June 30, 2018, CMS Energy had $501 million of consolidated cash and cash equivalents, which included $24 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents. At June 30, 2018, Consumers had $276 million of consolidated cash and cash equivalents, which included $22 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents. For additional details, see Note 12, Cash and Cash Equivalents.
Operating Activities
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, net cash provided by operating activities at CMS Energy increased $297 million compared with 2017 and net cash provided by operating activities at Consumers decreased $27 million compared with 2017. The TCJA had no impact on net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018, because CMS Energy made no income tax payments, and because Consumers’ rates do not yet reflect the anticipated reduction in its revenue requirements related to the TCJA. Presented in the following table are specific components of the changes to net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018 versus 2017:
In Millions
 
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
$
1,119

Reasons for the change
 
 
Higher net income
 
$
89

Favorable impact of changes in core working capital,1  due primarily to the receipt of alternative minimum tax credit refunds
 
123

Favorable impact of changes in other assets and liabilities, including the collection of an increased surcharge to fund Consumers’ energy waste reduction plan and lower prepayments of expenses
 
85

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
$
1,416

Consumers
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
$
1,125

Reasons for the change
 
 
Higher net income
 
$
79

Unfavorable impact of changes in core working capital,1 including lower overcollections of PSCR charges and higher vendor payments, offset largely by higher sales
 
(3
)
Unfavorable impact of changes in other assets and liabilities, due primarily to higher income tax payments to CMS Energy, offset partially by the collection of an increased surcharge to fund Consumers’ energy waste reduction plan and lower prepayments of expenses
 
(103
)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
$
1,098

1 
Core working capital comprises accounts receivable, notes receivable, accrued revenue, inventories, accounts payable, and accrued rate refunds related to PSCR and GCR overrecoveries.

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Investing Activities
Presented in the following table are specific components of the changes to net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018 versus 2017:
In Millions
 
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
$
(806
)
Reasons for the change
 
 
Higher capital expenditures
 
$
(126
)
Changes in EnerBank notes receivable, reflecting growth in consumer lending
 
(55
)
Proceeds from the sale of EnerBank notes receivable in 2017
 
(19
)
Other investing activities
 
(2
)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
$
(1,008
)
Consumers
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
$
(802
)
Reasons for the change
 
 
Higher capital expenditures
 
$
(118
)
Decrease in DB SERP investment
 
6

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
$
(914
)
Financing Activities
Presented in the following table are specific components of net cash provided by (used in) financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017:
In Millions
 
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
$
(129
)
Reasons for the change
 
 
Lower debt issuances
 
$
(129
)
Higher debt retirements
 
(172
)
Changes in EnerBank certificates of deposit, reflecting higher borrowings
 
163

Lower repayments under Consumers’ commercial paper program
 
228

Lower issuances of common stock under the continuous equity offering program
 
(40
)
Higher payments of dividends on common stock
 
(16
)
Higher debt issuance costs and early debt retirement payments
 
(16
)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
$
(111
)
Consumers
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
$
(111
)
Reasons for the change
 
 
Higher debt issuances
 
$
195

Higher debt retirements
 
(67
)
Lower repayments under Consumers’ commercial paper program
 
228

Lower stockholder contribution from CMS Energy
 
(200
)
Higher payments of dividends on common stock
 
(9
)
Higher debt issuance costs and early debt retirement payments
 
(9
)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
$
27


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Table of Contents

Capital Resources and Liquidity
CMS Energy uses dividends and tax-sharing payments from its subsidiaries and external financing and capital transactions to invest in its utility and non‑utility businesses, retire debt, pay dividends, and fund its other obligations. The ability of CMS Energy’s subsidiaries, including Consumers, to pay dividends to CMS Energy depends upon each subsidiary’s revenues, earnings, cash needs, and other factors. In addition, Consumers’ ability to pay dividends is restricted by certain terms included in its debt covenants and articles of incorporation and potentially by FERC requirements and provisions under the Federal Power Act and the Natural Gas Act. For additional details on Consumers’ dividend restrictions, see Note 4, Financings and Capitalization—Dividend Restrictions. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, Consumers paid $245 million in dividends on its common stock to CMS Energy.
As a result of a provision in the TCJA, CMS Energy is required to recover all alternative minimum tax credits over the next four years through offsets of regular tax and through cash refunds. CMS Energy expects to be able to offset regular tax through the use of federal net operating loss carryforwards and, accordingly, receive alternative minimum tax credit refunds through 2021. Another provision in the TCJA excludes rate-regulated utilities from 100 percent cost expensing of certain property after September 27, 2017. This provision will cause Consumers to make higher tax-sharing payments to CMS Energy during that period, which in turn might permit CMS Energy to maintain lower levels of debt in order to invest in its businesses, pay dividends, and fund its general obligations. Consumers expects to have sufficient funding sources available to issue credits to customers for all impacts of the TCJA.
In March 2017, CMS Energy entered into an updated continuous equity offering program. Under this program, CMS Energy may sell, from time to time in “at the market” offerings, common stock having an aggregate sales price of up to $100 million. CMS Energy issued common stock under this program and received net proceeds of $29 million in May 2018 and $70 million in June 2017. CMS Energy plans to file a new prospectus supplement to allow additional issuances of common stock. 
Consumers uses cash flows generated from operations and external financing transactions, as well as stockholder contributions from CMS Energy, to fund capital expenditures, retire debt, pay dividends, contribute to its employee benefit plans, and fund its other obligations. Accelerated pension funding in prior years and several initiatives to reduce costs have helped improve cash flows from operating activities. Consumers anticipates continued strong cash flows from operating activities for 2018 and beyond.
In July 2018, Consumers entered into a bond purchase agreement to issue an aggregate principal amount of $500 million in first mortgage bonds through a private placement. The issuance and funding of the bonds is expected to occur in October 2018.
Access to the financial and capital markets depends on CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ credit ratings and on market conditions. As evidenced by past financing transactions, CMS Energy and Consumers have had ready access to these markets. Barring major market dislocations or disruptions, CMS Energy and Consumers expect to continue to have ready access to the financial and capital markets. If access to these markets were to diminish or otherwise become restricted, CMS Energy and Consumers would implement contingency plans to address debt maturities, which could include reduced capital spending.
At June 30, 2018, CMS Energy had $549 million of its revolving credit facility available and Consumers had $1,068 million of its secured revolving credit facilities available. CMS Energy and Consumers use these credit facilities for general working capital purposes and to issue letters of credit. An additional source of liquidity is Consumers’ commercial paper program, which allows Consumers to issue, in one or more placements, up to $500 million in the aggregate in commercial paper notes with maturities of up to 365 days and that bear interest at fixed or floating rates. These issuances are supported by Consumers’ revolving credit facilities. While the amount of outstanding commercial paper does not reduce the available capacity of the revolving credit facilities, Consumers does not intend to issue commercial paper in an amount exceeding the available capacity of the facilities. At June 30, 2018, no commercial paper

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notes were outstanding under this program. For additional details on CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ revolving credit facilities and commercial paper program, see Note 4, Financings and Capitalization.
Certain of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ credit agreements, debt indentures, and other facilities contain covenants that require CMS Energy and Consumers to maintain certain financial ratios, as defined therein. At June 30, 2018, no default had occurred with respect to any financial covenants contained in CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ credit agreements, debt indentures, or other facilities. CMS Energy and Consumers were each in compliance with these covenants as of June 30, 2018, as presented in the following table:
 
June 30, 2018
Credit Agreement, Indenture, or Facility
Limit 
Actual 
CMS Energy, parent only
 
 
 
Debt to EBITDA1
<
 6.0 to 1.0
4.2 to 1.0
Debt to EBITDA2
<
6.25 to 1.0
4.1 to 1.0
Consumers
 
 
 
Debt to Capital3
<
0.65 to 1.0
0.46 to 1.0
1 
Applies to CMS Energy’s term loan agreements.
2 
Applies to CMS Energy’s revolving credit agreement. In June 2018, CMS Energy amended this revolving credit facility, eliminating the security provided by Consumers common stock, and extending the expiration date to June 2023.
3 
Applies to Consumers’ $850 million and $250 million revolving credit agreements and its $35 million and $30 million reimbursement agreements.
Components of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ cash management plan include controlling operating expenses and capital expenditures and evaluating market conditions for financing and refinancing opportunities. CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ present level of cash and expected cash flows from operating activities, together with access to sources of liquidity, are anticipated to be sufficient to fund the companies’ contractual obligations for 2018 and beyond.
Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
CMS Energy, Consumers, and certain of their subsidiaries enter into various arrangements in the normal course of business to facilitate commercial transactions with third parties. These arrangements include indemnities, surety bonds, letters of credit, and financial and performance guarantees. Indemnities are usually agreements to reimburse a counterparty that may incur losses due to outside claims or breach of contract terms. The maximum payment that could be required under a number of these indemnity obligations is not estimable; the maximum obligation under indemnities for which such amounts were estimable was $153 million at June 30, 2018. While CMS Energy and Consumers believe it is unlikely that they will incur any material losses related to indemnities they have not recorded as liabilities, they cannot predict the impact of these contingent obligations on their liquidity and financial condition. For additional details on these and other guarantee arrangements, see Note 3, Contingencies and Commitments—Guarantees.
Outlook
Several business trends and uncertainties may affect CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ financial condition and results of operations. These trends and uncertainties could have a material impact on CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ consolidated income, cash flows, or financial position. For additional details regarding

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these and other uncertainties, see Forward-Looking Statements and Information; Note 2, Regulatory Matters; Note 3, Contingencies and Commitments; and Part II—Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Consumers Electric Utility Outlook and Uncertainties
Energy Resource Planning: While Consumers continues to experience increasing demand for electricity due to Michigan’s growing economy and increased use of air conditioning, consumer electronics, and other electric devices, it expects that increase in demand to be offset by the effects of energy efficiency and conservation.
In June 2018, Consumers filed an IRP with the MPSC detailing its long-term strategy for delivering reliable and affordable energy to its customers through the increased use of energy efficiency and customer demand management programs and additional renewable energy. The IRP supports Consumers’ clean energy breakthrough goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent and eliminating the use of coal to generate electricity by 2040.
Specifically, in its IRP filing, Consumers requests the MPSC’s approval of:
•
the retirement of two coal-fueled generating units, totaling 515 MW, in 2023
•
the retirement of two coal-fueled and two oil- and natural gas-fueled generating units, totaling 1,815 MW, in 2031
•
the retirement of its remaining coal-fueled generating unit, totaling 780 MW, in 2039
Consumers proposes replacing the capacity to be retired with:
•
demand response programs
•
increased energy efficiency
•
increased renewable energy generation
•
grid modernization tools
•
battery storage
The IRP proposes renewable energy levels beyond the standard set in the 2016 Energy Law, which raised the renewable energy standard from the present ten-percent requirement to 15 percent by 2021. Specifically, the IRP proposes renewable energy levels of 25 percent by 2025, over 35 percent by 2030, and over 40 percent by 2040, to be achieved mainly through the economic development of up to 6,000 MW of solar generation and 550 MW of wind generation.
The IRP filing also incorporates Consumers’ existing plans to purchase additional electricity from the T.E.S. Filer City plant following the conversion of the plant to use natural gas as its primary fuel instead of coal. The conversion is expected to increase the amount of capacity and energy produced by the plant from 73 MW to 225 MW. In May 2017, in anticipation of the planned conversion, T.E.S. Filer City and Consumers agreed to amend their PPA. Under the amendment to the PPA, Consumers will purchase the increased capacity and electricity generated by the converted facility for 15 years. The original PPA was set to expire in 2025. In February 2018, the MPSC approved the amendment to the PPA. The amendment is contingent on a finding by FERC that sales made under the amended PPA are exempt from, or authorized under, Section 205 of the Federal Power Act and on commercial operation of the converted facility on or before June 1, 2022. T.E.S. Filer City expects the converted plant to be operational in 2020.
PURPA: PURPA requires Consumers to purchase power from qualifying cogeneration and small power production facilities at a price approved by the MPSC that is meant to represent Consumers’ “avoided cost” of generating power or purchasing power from another source. In November 2017, the MPSC issued an order setting a new avoided-cost formula to determine the price that Consumers must pay to purchase power under PURPA. Among other things, the MPSC’s order changes the basis of Consumers’ avoided cost from the cost of coal-fueled generating units to that of natural gas-fueled generating units. The MPSC order also assigns more capacity value to qualifying facilities that are consistently able to

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generate electricity during peak times. Although the costs Consumers incurs to purchase power from qualifying facilities are passed on to customers, the order could result in mandated purchases of generation, potentially at above-market prices, and reduce Consumers’ need for new owned generation. This in turn could have a material adverse effect on Consumers’ long-term capital investment plan and the affordability of future customer rates.
In December 2017, Consumers filed a petition with the MPSC requesting corrections to the pricing calculations and capacity purchase model set in the order. Subsequently, the MPSC suspended the implementation of the order and reopened the proceeding. In February 2018, the MPSC issued an order limiting Consumers’ obligation to pay the full avoided capacity cost, which is based on the cost of a natural gas combustion turbine under the new avoided-cost formula, to existing qualifying facilities upon the expiration of outstanding contracts and to the first 150 MW of new generation projects that qualify under PURPA. The February 2018 order also set a schedule to resolve the remaining issues.
In its June 2018 IRP filing, Consumers proposed a new method of calculating its avoided cost, based on a competitive bidding process, which will enable Consumers to purchase energy from new generation at the lowest cost and mitigate the risk of forced purchases of renewable generation. In accordance with the 2016 Energy Law, Consumers also proposed a financial compensation mechanism to recognize the financial impacts associated with procuring capacity from third parties and enable Consumers to earn a financial incentive on PPAs entered into through the proposed competitive bidding process.
Renewable Energy Plan: The 2016 Energy Law raised the renewable energy standard from the present ten-percent requirement to 15 percent in 2021, with an interim target of 12.5 percent in 2019. Consumers is required to submit RECs, which represent proof that the associated electricity was generated from a renewable energy resource, in an amount equal to at least the required percentage of Consumers’ electric sales volume each year. Under its renewable energy plan, Consumers expects to meet its renewable energy requirement each year with a combination of newly generated RECs and previously generated RECs carried over from prior years.
In conjunction with its renewable energy plan, Consumers obtained the MPSC’s approval to construct two additional phases at its Cross Winds® Energy Park. Phase II of the park, with a nameplate capacity of 44 MW, became operational in January 2018. Consumers began construction of Phase III, with a planned nameplate capacity of 76 MW, in June 2017 and expects it to be operational in 2020. Both phases of the project are expected to qualify for certain federal production tax credits, which are expected to generate cost savings that will be passed on to customers.
In September 2017, Consumers filed amendments to its renewable energy plan with the MPSC, requesting approval to acquire up to 525 MW of new wind generation projects and up to 100 MW of new solar generation projects in order to meet its renewable energy requirement. In May 2018, as a result of requests for proposals issued in 2017 to acquire wind and solar generation projects within MISO’s service territory, Consumers entered into an agreement to purchase a wind generation project under development, with capacity of up to 150 MW, in Gratiot County, Michigan. Consumers expects to begin construction in May 2019 and that the project will be completed and operational in 2020. The agreement is subject to MPSC approval.
In June 2018, Consumers issued additional requests for proposals to acquire up to 400 MW of wind generation projects ranging in size from 75 MW to 200 MW and up to 100 MW of solar generation projects at least 10 MW in size. The projects are required to be located in Michigan and operational by 2021. Any contracts entered into as a result of the requests for proposals would be subject to MPSC approval.
Voluntary Large Customer Renewable Energy Pilot Program: In February 2018, Consumers began providing service under a pilot program that provides large full-service electric customers with the opportunity to advance the development of renewable energy beyond the requirements of the 2016 Energy Law. Under the pilot program, customers may match up to 100 percent of their energy use with

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renewable energy generated from wind resources. In August 2017, the MPSC conditionally approved the pilot program through October 2018 and instructed Consumers to submit the program for review as a voluntary green pricing program under provisions of the 2016 Energy Law. Consumers submitted this program for review in October 2017.
Electric Customer Deliveries and Revenue: Consumers’ electric customer deliveries are seasonal and largely dependent on Michigan’s economy. The consumption of electric energy typically increases in the summer months, due primarily to the use of air conditioners and other cooling equipment. In addition, Consumers’ electric rates, which follow a seasonal rate design, are higher in the summer months than in the remaining months of the year.
Consumers expects weather-normalized electric deliveries in 2018 and over the next five years to remain stable relative to 2017. This outlook reflects modest growth in electric demand offset by the effects of energy waste reduction programs and appliance efficiency standards. Actual delivery levels will depend on:
•
energy conservation measures and results of energy waste reduction programs
•
weather fluctuations
•
Michigan’s economic conditions, including utilization, expansion, or contraction of manufacturing facilities, population trends, and housing activity
Electric ROA: Under Michigan law, electric customers in Consumers’ service territory are allowed to buy electric generation service from alternative electric suppliers in an aggregate amount up to ten percent of Consumers’ weather-normalized retail sales for the preceding calendar year. At June 30, 2018, electric deliveries under the ROA program were at the ten-percent limit. Of Consumers’ 1.8 million electric customers, 287 customers, or 0.02 percent, purchased electric generation service under the ROA program.
The 2016 Energy Law, which became effective in April 2017, established a path to ensure that forward capacity is secured for all electric customers in Michigan, including customers served by alternative electric suppliers under ROA. The new law also authorized the MPSC to ensure that alternative electric suppliers have procured enough capacity to cover their anticipated capacity requirements for the four-year forward period. In November 2017, the MPSC issued an order establishing a state reliability mechanism for Consumers. Under this mechanism, beginning June 1, 2018, if an alternative electric supplier does not demonstrate that it has procured its capacity requirements for the four-year forward period, its customers will pay a set charge to the utility for capacity that is not provided by the alternative electric supplier. For the MISO planning year beginning June 1, 2018, all alternative electric suppliers have demonstrated that they have procured their capacity requirements.
In June 2018, the MPSC issued an order requiring all electric suppliers to demonstrate that a portion of the capacity procured to serve customers during peak demand times is located in the MISO footprint in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. In July 2018, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued a decision that the MPSC does not have statutory authority to implement such a requirement for alternative electric suppliers. Consumers believes the 2016 Energy Law does give such authorization to the MPSC, and plans to file an application for leave to appeal the Court of Appeals’ decision to the Michigan Supreme Court. The Michigan Supreme Court has discretion on whether to grant an application for leave to appeal.
Electric Rate Matters: Rate matters are critical to Consumers’ electric utility business. For additional details on rate matters, see Note 2, Regulatory Matters.

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2018 Electric Rate Case: In May 2018, Consumers filed an application with the MPSC seeking an annual rate increase of $58 million, based on a 10.75 percent authorized return on equity. The filing requests authority to recover new investment in system reliability, environmental compliance, and technology enhancements. Presented in the following table are the components of the requested increase in revenue:
In Millions  
 
Components of the requested rate increase
 
Investment in rate base
$
95

Cost of capital
62

Operating and maintenance costs
19

Working capital
5

Effects of TCJA
(113
)
Gross margin
(10
)
Total
$
58

The filing also seeks approval of an investment recovery mechanism that would provide for an additional annual rate increase of $49 million beginning in 2020 and another $48 million beginning in 2021 for incremental investments that Consumers plans to make for distribution infrastructure, subject to reconciliation.
Electric Environmental Outlook: Consumers’ operations are subject to various state and federal environmental laws and regulations. Consumers estimates that it will incur capital expenditures of $0.4 billion from 2018 through 2022 to continue to comply with RCRA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and numerous state and federal environmental regulations. Consumers expects to recover these costs in customer rates, but cannot guarantee this result. Consumers’ primary environmental compliance focus includes, but is not limited to, the following matters.
Air Quality: CSAPR, which became effective in 2015, requires Michigan and 27 other states to improve air quality by reducing power plant emissions that, according to EPA computer models, contribute to ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution in other downwind states. In 2016, the EPA finalized new ozone season standards for CSAPR, which became effective in May 2017. CSAPR is presently being litigated; however, any decision will not impact Consumers’ compliance strategy, as Consumers expects its emissions to be within the CSAPR allowance allocations.
In 2012, the EPA published emission standards for electric generating units, based on Section 112 of the Clean Air Act, calling the final rule MATS. Under MATS, all of Consumers’ existing coal-fueled electric generating units were required to add additional controls for hazardous air pollutants. Consumers met the extended deadline of April 2016 for five coal-fueled units and two oil/gas-fueled units it continues to operate and retired its seven remaining coal-fueled units. MATS is presently being litigated, but any decision is not expected to impact Consumers’ MATS compliance strategy. In addition, Consumers must comply with the Michigan Mercury Rule and with its settlement agreement with the EPA entered into in 2014 concerning opacity and NSR.
In 2015, the EPA released its new rule to lower the NAAQS for ozone. The new ozone NAAQS will make it more difficult to construct or modify power plants in areas of the country that have not met the new ozone standard. In April 2018, the EPA designated certain areas of Michigan as not meeting the new standard; none of Consumers’ fossil-fuel-fired generating units are located in these areas. Some of Consumers’ compressor stations are located in areas impacted by the rule, but Consumers expects only minor permitting impacts if those units are modified in the future. The NAAQS for ozone are presently being litigated. Consumers does not expect that any decision will have a material adverse impact on its generating assets.

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Consumers’ strategy to comply with air quality regulations, including CSAPR, NAAQS, and MATS, as well as its legal obligations, involved the installation and operation of emission control equipment at some facilities and the suspension of operations at others; however, Consumers continues to evaluate these rules in conjunction with other EPA rulemakings, litigation, and congressional action. This evaluation could result in:
•
a change in Consumers’ fuel mix
•
changes in the types of generating units Consumers may purchase or build in the future
•
changes in how certain units are used
•
the retirement, mothballing, or repowering with an alternative fuel of some of Consumers’ generating units
•
changes in Consumers’ environmental compliance costs
Greenhouse Gases: There have been numerous legislative and regulatory initiatives at the state, regional, national, and international levels that involve the potential regulation of greenhouse gases. Consumers continues to monitor and comment on these initiatives and to follow litigation involving greenhouse gases.
In 2015, the EPA finalized new rules pursuant to Section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act to limit carbon dioxide emissions from new electric generating units. New coal-fueled units will not be able to meet this limit without installing carbon dioxide control equipment using such methods as carbon capture and sequestration. In addition, the EPA finalized new rules pursuant to Section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act to limit carbon dioxide emissions from modified or reconstructed electric generating units. Both of these rules are being litigated.
Also in 2015, the EPA published final rules pursuant to Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act to limit carbon dioxide emissions from existing electric generating units, calling the rules the “Clean Power Plan.” The rules required a 32-percent nationwide reduction in carbon emissions from existing power plants by 2030 (based on 2005 levels), and states choosing not to develop their own implementation plans would be subject to the federal plan. Certain states, corporations, and industry groups initiated litigation opposing the proposed Clean Power Plan, and in 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the Clean Power Plan while the litigation proceeded. In March 2017, the EPA and other federal agencies were directed to review rules and policies that burden domestic energy production, including the Clean Power Plan. The EPA subsequently filed motions to hold the Section 111(b) and Clean Power Plan litigation in abeyance while it reconsiders the rule. In October 2017, the EPA published a proposal to repeal the Clean Power Plan and is reviewing comments received.
The EPA has also announced that it intends to begin the rulemaking process for a replacement rule that conforms to the new legal interpretation set forth in the published proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan. In December 2017, the EPA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking soliciting information on whether the EPA should replace the Clean Power Plan and, if so, how it should be replaced. It is expected that the EPA will propose a replacement rule in the summer of 2018. Consumers does not expect that any changes to the Clean Power Plan will have an adverse impact on its environmental strategy.
In 2015, a group of 195 countries, including the U.S., finalized the Paris Agreement, which governs carbon dioxide reduction measures beginning in 2020. Although the U.S. subsequently withdrew from the Paris Agreement, it has stated a desire to renegotiate a new agreement in the future. Consumers does not expect any adverse changes to its environmental strategy as a result of these events.
While Consumers cannot predict the outcome of changes in U.S. policy or of other legislative or regulatory initiatives involving the potential regulation of greenhouse gases, it intends to continue to move forward with its clean energy plan, its present carbon reduction target, and its emphasis on supply diversity. Consumers will continue to monitor regulatory and legislative activity and related litigation regarding greenhouse gas emissions standards that may affect electric generating units.

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Severe weather events and climate change associated with increasing levels of greenhouse gases could affect the companies’ facilities and energy sales and could have a material impact on the companies’ future results of operations. Consumers is unable to predict these events or their financial impact; however, Consumers plans for adverse weather and takes steps to reduce its potential impact.
Litigation, as well as federal laws, EPA regulations regarding greenhouse gases, or similar treaties, state laws, or rules, if enacted or ratified, could ultimately require Consumers to replace equipment, install additional emission control equipment, purchase emission allowances, curtail operations, arrange for alternative sources of supply, or take other steps to manage or lower the emission of greenhouse gases. Although associated capital or operating costs relating to greenhouse gas regulation or legislation could be material and cost recovery cannot be assured, Consumers expects to recover these costs and capital expenditures in rates consistent with the recovery of other reasonable costs of complying with environmental laws and regulations.
CCRs: In 2015, the EPA published a final rule regulating CCRs, such as coal ash, under RCRA. The final rule adopts minimum standards for beneficially reusing and disposing of non‑hazardous CCRs. The rule establishes new minimum requirements for site location, groundwater monitoring, flood protection, storm water design, fugitive dust control, and public disclosure of information. The rule also sets out conditions under which CCR units would be forced to cease receiving CCR and non‑CCR waste and initiate closure based on the inability to achieve minimum safety standards, meet a location standard, or meet minimum groundwater standards. Consumers has received approval of and has begun work to close some existing ash ponds and replace them with double-lined ash ponds or concrete infrastructure. Consumers will continue to develop additional work plans for submission to the MDEQ to ensure coordination between federal and state requirements.
Furthermore, Congress passed legislation in 2016 that allows states to develop a permitting program for CCR under RCRA, and Michigan is taking legislative steps to adopt such a program. In March 2018, the EPA proposed the first of two rules intended to amend the 2015 final rule. In the proposed rule, the EPA put forth several provisions that would allow states or the EPA to incorporate flexibilities into their permitting process. Consumers may need to adjust its recorded ARO associated with coal ash disposal sites depending on the outcome of its submissions to the MDEQ and on a future RCRA permitting program under MDEQ, if the EPA approves a state-level program. Consumers has historically been authorized to recover in electric rates costs incurred related to cleanup and closure of coal ash disposal sites.
Water: The EPA’s rule to regulate existing electric generating plant cooling water intake systems under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act became effective in 2014. The rule is aimed at reducing alleged harmful impacts on fish and shellfish. In April 2018, Consumers submitted to the MDEQ for review and approval all required studies and recommended plans to comply with Section 316(b).
In 2015, the EPA released its final effluent limitation guidelines. These guidelines, which are presently being litigated, set stringent new requirements for the discharge from electric generating units into wastewater streams. In August 2017, the EPA announced that it will undertake a rulemaking to replace specific portions of the rule. In September 2017, the EPA proposed delaying the compliance start dates for two years, but maintained the compliance end dates. Rulemaking is expected to conclude in late 2018 or early 2019. Consumers does not expect any adverse changes to its environmental strategy as a result of any revisions to the rule.
In 2015, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a final rule redefining “waters of the United States,” which designates the EPA’s jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. Numerous states and other interested parties, including Michigan’s Attorney General, have filed suits in federal courts to block the rule, which subsequently was stayed in 2015 while litigation ensued. In January 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the federal district courts, not the federal appellate courts, had jurisdiction over challenges to the 2015 rule. Consequently, in February 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit lifted the stay of the rule. The EPA has published a notice that prevents the

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2015 rule from going into effect until February 2020 in an attempt to maintain consistency and provide certainty for regulated entities while the agencies continue to consider possible revisions to the 2015 rule. The 2015 rule changes the scope of water and wetlands regulations; however, the EPA has delegated authority to manage the Michigan wetlands program to the MDEQ. As a result, regardless of whether the 2015 rule is rescinded or maintained, Consumers will continue to operate under Michigan’s wetlands regulations, and under the applicable state and federal water jurisdictional regulations. Thus, Consumers does not expect any adverse changes to its environmental strategy as a result of these events.
Many of Consumers’ facilities maintain NPDES permits, which are renewed every five years and are vital to the facilities’ operations. Failure of the MDEQ to renew any NPDES permit, a successful appeal against a permit, or onerous terms contained in a permit could have a significant detrimental effect on the operations of a facility.
Other Matters: Other electric environmental matters could have a material impact on Consumers’ outlook. For additional details on other electric environmental matters, see Note 3, Contingencies and Commitments—Consumers Electric Utility Contingencies—Electric Environmental Matters.
Consumers Gas Utility Outlook and Uncertainties
Gas Deliveries: Consumers’ gas customer deliveries are seasonal. The peak demand for natural gas occurs in the winter due to colder temperatures and the resulting use of natural gas as heating fuel. Consumers expects weather-normalized gas deliveries in 2018 and over the next five years to remain stable relative to 2017. This outlook reflects modest growth in gas demand offset by the predicted effects of energy efficiency and conservation. Actual delivery levels from year to year may vary from this expectation due to:
•
weather fluctuations
•
use by power producers
•
availability and development of renewable energy sources
•
gas price changes
•
Michigan economic conditions, including population trends and housing activity
•
the price of competing energy sources or fuels
•
energy efficiency and conservation impacts
Gas Rate Matters: Rate matters are critical to Consumers’ gas utility business. For additional details on rate matters, see Note 2, Regulatory Matters.
Gas Rate Case: In October 2017, Consumers filed an application with the MPSC seeking an annual rate increase of $178 million, based on a 10.5 percent authorized return on equity. The largest component of the request was an annual revenue requirement of $162 million related to infrastructure investment and related costs that would allow Consumers to improve system safety, capacity, and deliverability. In March 2018, Consumers reduced its requested revenue requirement to $145 million, before taking into consideration any impact of the TCJA. Consumers further reduced its requested revenue requirement to $83 million to reflect the impact of the TCJA, offset partially by an increase in the authorized return on equity to 10.75 percent to compensate for the anticipated negative effects of tax reform on Consumers’ cash flows from operating activities. In July 2018, Consumers reduced its requested revenue requirement to $60 million, based on a 10.0 percent authorized return on equity.
The filing also seeks approval of two rate adjustment mechanisms: a revenue decoupling mechanism and an investment recovery mechanism. The revenue decoupling mechanism would annually reconcile Consumers’ actual weather-normalized nonfuel revenues with the revenues approved by the MPSC. The investment recovery mechanism would provide for additional annual rate increases of $39 million beginning in July 2019 and another $39 million beginning in July 2020 for incremental investments that Consumers plans to make in those years, subject to reconciliation. In March 2018, Consumers modified its request for the investment recovery mechanism to reduce the annual rate increase to $25 million

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beginning in July 2019 and another $25 million beginning in July 2020. The request was reduced to reflect several adjustments proposed by the MPSC Staff. These future investments are intended to help ensure adequate system capacity and deliverability. The MPSC previously approved an investment recovery mechanism in July 2017 that will be in effect until rates are changed in the pending proceeding.
In July 2018, the administrative law judge issued a proposal for decision, recommending an annual rate increase of $11 million, based on a 10.0 percent authorized return on equity. The administrative law judge also recommended approval of the revenue decoupling mechanism, as proposed, and the investment recovery mechanism, as requested with modifications. In addition, based on the position of the MPSC Staff, the administrative law judge recommended the disallowance of cost recovery for certain categories of historical capital expenditures incurred by Consumers. If, in the final order in this case, the MPSC were to adopt some or all of the administrative law judge’s recommendations, Consumers would be required to write off up to $145 million of assets. A material disallowance of historical costs could negatively affect CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ results of operations. While Consumers cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding, it does not believe it is probable that the MPSC will disallow these historical capital expenditures in the final order, as there is no regulatory precedent of a disallowance of this type.
Gas Pipeline and Storage Integrity and Safety: In 2016, PHMSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking that would expand federal safety standards for gas transmission pipelines. The rule could cause Consumers to incur increased capital costs to install and remediate pipelines as well as operating and maintenance costs to expand inspections, maintenance, and monitoring of its existing pipelines. PHMSA expects to publish a final rule in 2018.
Also in 2016, PHMSA published an interim final rule that will establish minimum federal safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities. As proposed, the rule could cause Consumers to incur increased capital and operating and maintenance costs to expand inspections, maintenance, and monitoring of its underground gas storage facilities. PHMSA expects to publish a final rule in 2018.
Although associated capital or operating and maintenance costs relating to these regulations could be material and cost recovery cannot be assured, Consumers would expect to recover such costs and capital expenditures in rates consistent with the recovery of other reasonable costs of complying with laws and regulations. Consumers will continue to monitor gas safety regulations.
Gas Environmental Outlook: Consumers expects to incur response activity costs at a number of sites, including 23 former MGP sites. For additional details, see Note 3, Contingencies and Commitments—Consumers Gas Utility Contingencies—Gas Environmental Matters.
Consumers Electric Utility and Gas Utility Outlook and Uncertainties
Energy Waste Reduction Plan: The 2016 Energy Law, which became effective in April 2017, authorized incentives for demand response programs and expanded existing incentives for energy efficiency programs, referring to the combined initiatives as energy waste reduction. The 2016 Energy Law:
•
extended the requirement to achieve annual reductions of 1.0 percent in customers’ electricity use through 2021 and 0.75 percent in customers’ natural gas use indefinitely
•
removed limits on investments under the program and provided for a higher return on those investments; together, these provisions effectively doubled the financial incentives Consumers may earn for exceeding the statutory targets
•
established a goal of 35 percent combined renewable energy and energy waste reduction by 2025
During 2017, the MPSC approved an energy waste reduction plan for Consumers that amended and expanded its existing energy optimization plan, allowing for recovery of increased investments to meet the requirements of the 2016 Energy Law and expanding the financial incentive that Consumers may earn for exceeding savings targets during the year. Under this plan, Consumers will continue to provide its

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customers with incentives to reduce usage by offering energy audits, rebates and discounts on purchases of highly efficient appliances, and other incentives and programs.
Enterprises Outlook and Uncertainties
The primary focus with respect to CMS Energy’s enterprises businesses is to maximize the value of their generating assets, which represent 1,110 MW of capacity, and to pursue opportunities for the development of renewable generation projects.
T.E.S. Filer City plans to convert its plant to use natural gas as its primary fuel instead of coal. The conversion is expected to increase the amount of capacity and energy produced by the plant from 73 MW to 225 MW. In May 2017, in anticipation of the planned conversion, T.E.S. Filer City and Consumers agreed to amend their PPA. Under the amendment to the PPA, Consumers will purchase the increased capacity and electricity generated by the converted facility for 15 years. The original PPA was set to expire in 2025. In February 2018, the MPSC approved the amendment to the PPA. The amendment is contingent on a finding by FERC that sales made under the amended PPA are exempt from, or authorized under, Section 205 of the Federal Power Act and on commercial operation of the converted facility on or before June 1, 2022. T.E.S. Filer City expects the converted plant to be operational in 2020.
In June 2018, CMS Enterprises completed the development and construction of an 8‑MW solar generation project in Delta Township, Michigan. A second solar generation project, totaling 16 MW, is presently under construction. Energy produced by the solar generation projects will be sold under 25‑year PPAs to Lansing Board of Water and Light, a non‑affiliated utility.
In June 2018, CMS Enterprises entered into an agreement to purchase a 105‑MW wind generation project in northwest Ohio. The project is presently under construction and expected to be completed by fall 2018. Renewable energy produced by the wind generation project has been committed to General Motors LLC, a non‑affiliated company, under a 15‑year PPA.
The enterprises segment’s assets may be affected by environmental laws and regulations. The new ozone NAAQS will make it more difficult to construct or modify power plants in areas of the country that have not met the new ozone standard. In April 2018, the EPA designated certain areas of Michigan as not meeting the new standard; the enterprises segment’s independent power plant located in Dearborn, Michigan is in one such area and, as a result, would be subject to additional permitting restrictions in the event of any future modifications. For additional details regarding the new ozone NAAQS, see Consumers Electric Utility Outlook and Uncertainties—Electric Environmental Outlook.
Trends, uncertainties, and other matters related to the enterprises segment that could have a material impact on CMS Energy’s consolidated income, cash flows, or financial position include:
•
investment in and financial benefits received from renewable energy and energy storage projects
•
changes in energy and capacity prices
•
changes in commodity prices and interest rates on certain derivative contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting and must be marked to market through earnings
•
changes in various environmental laws, regulations, principles, or practices, or in their interpretation
•
the outcome of certain legal proceedings, including gas price reporting litigation
•
indemnity and environmental remediation obligations at Bay Harbor
•
obligations related to a tax claim from the government of Equatorial Guinea
•
representations, warranties, and indemnities provided by CMS Energy in connection with previous sales of assets
For additional details regarding the enterprises segment’s uncertainties, see Note 3, Contingencies and Commitments.

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Other Outlook and Uncertainties
EnerBank: EnerBank is a Utah state-chartered, FDIC-insured industrial bank providing unsecured consumer installment loans for financing home improvements. EnerBank represented four percent of CMS Energy’s net assets at June 30, 2018 and four percent of CMS Energy’s net income available to common stockholders for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The carrying value of EnerBank’s loan portfolio was $1.4 billion at June 30, 2018. Its loan portfolio was funded primarily by certificates of deposit of $1.4 billion. The twelve-month rolling average net default rate on loans held by EnerBank was 1.3 percent at June 30, 2018. CMS Energy is required both by law and by contract to provide financial support, including infusing additional capital, to ensure that EnerBank satisfies mandated capital requirements and has sufficient liquidity to operate. With its self-funding plan, EnerBank has exceeded these requirements historically and exceeded them as of June 30, 2018.
Litigation: CMS Energy, Consumers, and certain of their subsidiaries are named as parties in various litigation matters, as well as in administrative proceedings before various courts and governmental agencies, arising in the ordinary course of business. For additional details regarding these and other legal matters, see Note 2, Regulatory Matters and Note 3, Contingencies and Commitments.
New Accounting Standards
For details regarding new accounting standards issued but not yet effective, see Note 1, New Accounting Standards.

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CMS Energy Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
June 30
2018
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenue
 
$
1,492

 
$
1,449

 
 
$
3,445

 
$
3,278

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel for electric generation
 
115

 
125

 
 
247

 
242

Purchased and interchange power
 
393

 
373

 
 
775

 
706

Purchased power – related parties
 
19

 
21

 
 
38

 
43

Cost of gas sold
 
112

 
111

 
 
493

 
447

Maintenance and other operating expenses
 
326

 
315

 
 
636

 
605

Depreciation and amortization
 
204

 
197

 
 
483

 
459

General taxes
 
68

 
66

 
 
155

 
147

Total operating expenses
 
1,237

 
1,208

 
 
2,827

 
2,649

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
255

 
241

 
 
618

 
629

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
4

 
2

 
 
6

 
7

Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 
1

 
2

 
 
2

 
4

Income from equity method investees
 
4

 
3

 
 
7

 
7

Nonoperating retirement benefits, net
 
22

 
4

 
 
46

 
7

Other income
 
—

 
—

 
 
1

 
2

Other expense
 
(9
)
 
(2
)
 
 
(11
)
 
(4
)
Total other income
 
22

 
9

 
 
51

 
23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on long-term debt
 
103

 
103

 
 
203

 
203

Other interest expense
 
10

 
8

 
 
21

 
16

Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
Total interest charges
 
112

 
110

 
 
223

 
217

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Before Income Taxes
 
165

 
140

 
 
446

 
435

Income Tax Expense
 
25

 
47

 
 
65

 
143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
140

 
93

 
 
381

 
292

Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
1

 
1

 
 
1

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders
 
$
139

 
$
92

 
 
$
380

 
$
291

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings Per Average Common Share
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.33

 
 
$
1.35

 
$
1.04

Diluted Earnings Per Average Common Share
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.33

 
 
$
1.35

 
$
1.04

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
 
$
0.3575

 
$
0.3325

 
 
$
0.7150

 
$
0.6650

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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CMS Energy Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
In Millions
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
June 30
2018
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
140

 
$
93

 
 
$
381

 
$
292

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retirement Benefits Liability
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax of $- for all periods
 
1

 
1

 
 
2

 
1

Amortization of prior service credit, net of tax of $- for all periods
 
(1
)
 
—

 
 
(1
)
 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax of $-, $1, $-, and $1
 
—

 
—

 
 
(1
)
 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income
 
—

 
1

 
 
—

 
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
 
140

 
94

 
 
381

 
294

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
1

 
1

 
 
1

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income Attributable to CMS Energy
 
$
139

 
$
93

 
 
$
380

 
$
293

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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CMS Energy Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
In Millions
 
Six Months Ended June 30
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
381

 
$
292

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
483

 
459

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credit
 
60

 
132

Other non-cash operating activities and reconciling adjustments
 
22

 
47

Cash provided by (used in) changes in assets and liabilities
 
 
 
 
Accounts and notes receivable and accrued revenue
 
298

 
154

Inventories
 
101

 
44

Accounts payable and accrued refunds
 
(41
)
 
37

Other current and non-current assets and liabilities
 
112

 
(46
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
1,416

 
1,119

 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures (excludes assets placed under capital lease)
 
(872
)
 
(746
)
Increase in EnerBank notes receivable
 
(80
)
 
(25
)
Proceeds from the sale of EnerBank notes receivable
 
—

 
19

Cost to retire property and other investing activities
 
(56
)
 
(54
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(1,008
)
 
(806
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of debt
 
794

 
923

Retirement of debt
 
(660
)
 
(488
)
Increase (decrease) in EnerBank certificates of deposit
 
136

 
(27
)
Decrease in notes payable
 
(170
)
 
(398
)
Issuance of common stock
 
36

 
76

Payment of dividends on common and preferred stock
 
(204
)
 
(188
)
Payment of capital lease obligations and other financing costs
 
(43
)
 
(27
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(111
)
 
(129
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents, Including Restricted Amounts
 
297

 
184

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Including Restricted Amounts, Beginning of Period
 
204

 
257

 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Including Restricted Amounts, End of Period
 
$
501

 
$
441

 
 
 
 
 
Other non-cash investing and financing activities
 
 
 
 
Non-cash transactions
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures not paid
 
$
140

 
$
146

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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CMS Energy Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
ASSETS
In Millions
 
 
June 30
2018
 
December 31 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
477

 
$
182

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
17

 
17

Accounts receivable and accrued revenue, less allowance of $20 in both periods
 
708

 
1,032

Notes receivable, less allowance of $23 in 2018 and $20 in 2017
 
206

 
198

Notes receivable held for sale
 
—

 
2

Accounts receivable – related parties
 
14

 
12

Inventories at average cost
 
 
 
 

Gas in underground storage
 
367

 
458

Materials and supplies
 
143

 
133

Generating plant fuel stock
 
60

 
81

Deferred property taxes
 
187

 
257

Regulatory assets
 
14

 
20

Prepayments and other current assets
 
93

 
83

Total current assets
 
2,286

 
2,475

 
 
 
 
 
Plant, Property, and Equipment
 
 

 
 

Plant, property, and equipment, gross
 
23,258

 
22,506

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
6,808

 
6,510

Plant, property, and equipment, net
 
16,450

 
15,996

Construction work in progress
 
787

 
765

Total plant, property, and equipment
 
17,237

 
16,761

 
 
 
 
 
Other Non-current Assets