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Regulatory Matters | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015
Regulatory Matters | 2:REGULATORY MATTERS Regulatory matters are critical to Consumers. The Michigan Attorney General, ABATE, the MPSC Staff, and certain other parties typically participate in MPSC proceedings concerning Consumers, such as Consumers’ rate cases and PSCR and GCR processes. These parties often challenge various aspects of those proceedings, including the prudence of Consumers’ policies and practices, and seek cost disallowances and other relief. The parties also have appealed significant MPSC orders. Depending upon the specific issues, the outcomes of rate cases and proceedings, including judicial proceedings challenging MPSC orders or other actions, could negatively a ff ect CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations. Consumers cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings. There are multiple appeals pending that involve various issues concerning cost allocation among customers, the allocation of refunds among customer groups, the adequacy of the record evidence supporting the recovery of Smart Energy investments, and other matters. Consumers is unable to predict the outcome of these appeals. Gas Rate Case: In July 2014, Consumers filed an application with the MPSC seeking an annual rate increase of $88 million. The filing requested authority to recover new investments that will allow Consumers to improve system reliability, comply with regulations, and enhance technology. In January 2015, the MPSC approved a settlement agreement authorizing a $45 million annual rate increase, based on a 10.3 percent authorized return on equity. This was Consumers’ first gas base rate increase since 2012. Energy Optimization Plan Incentive: Consumers exceeded its savings targets under both electric and gas optimization plans during 2014, and will therefore request the MPSC’s approval to collect $17 million, the maximum incentive, in the energy optimization reconciliation scheduled to be filed in May 2015.
Consumers Energy Company [Member] |
Regulatory Matters | 2:REGULATORY MATTERS Regulatory matters are critical to Consumers. The Michigan Attorney General, ABATE, the MPSC Staff, and certain other parties typically participate in MPSC proceedings concerning Consumers, such as Consumers’ rate cases and PSCR and GCR processes. These parties often challenge various aspects of those proceedings, including the prudence of Consumers’ policies and practices, and seek cost disallowances and other relief. The parties also have appealed significant MPSC orders. Depending upon the specific issues, the outcomes of rate cases and proceedings, including judicial proceedings challenging MPSC orders or other actions, could negatively a ff ect CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations. Consumers cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings. There are multiple appeals pending that involve various issues concerning cost allocation among customers, the allocation of refunds among customer groups, the adequacy of the record evidence supporting the recovery of Smart Energy investments, and other matters. Consumers is unable to predict the outcome of these appeals. Gas Rate Case: In July 2014, Consumers filed an application with the MPSC seeking an annual rate increase of $88 million. The filing requested authority to recover new investments that will allow Consumers to improve system reliability, comply with regulations, and enhance technology. In January 2015, the MPSC approved a settlement agreement authorizing a $45 million annual rate increase, based on a 10.3 percent authorized return on equity. This was Consumers’ first gas base rate increase since 2012. Energy Optimization Plan Incentive: Consumers exceeded its savings targets under both electric and gas optimization plans during 2014, and will therefore request the MPSC’s approval to collect $17 million, the maximum incentive, in the energy optimization reconciliation scheduled to be filed in May 2015.

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