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Regulatory Matters | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
Public Utilities, General Disclosures [Line Items] |
Regulatory Matters | Regulatory Matters Regulatory matters are critical to Consumers. The Michigan Attorney General, ABATE, the MPSC Staff, residential customer advocacy groups, environmental organizations, and certain other parties typically participate in MPSC proceedings concerning Consumers, such as Consumers’ rate cases and PSCR and GCR processes. Intervenors also participate in certain FERC matters, including FERC’s regulation of certain wholesale rates that affect Consumers’ power supply costs. 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 and FERC orders or other actions, could negatively affect 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 recovery from customers, the MPSC’s authority to approve voluntary revenue refunds, and other matters. Consumers is unable to predict the outcome of these appeals. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities Consumers is subject to the actions of the MPSC and FERC and therefore prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with the provisions of regulatory accounting. A utility must apply regulatory accounting when its rates are designed to recover specific costs of providing regulated services. Under regulatory accounting, Consumers records regulatory assets or liabilities for certain transactions that would have been treated as expense or revenue by non‑regulated businesses. Presented in the following table are the regulatory assets and liabilities on Consumers’ consolidated balance sheets:
In Millions
December 31 | 2023 | 2022
Regulatory assets |  |  |  |
Current |  |  |  |
2022 PSCR underrecovery 1 |  | $ | 126 |  |  | $ | — |
Energy waste reduction plan incentive 2 |  | 54 |  |  | 47 |
Retention incentive program 3 |  | 12 |  |  | 2 |
Other |  | 11 |  |  | 8 |
Total current regulatory assets |  | $ | 203 |  |  | $ | 57 |
Non-current |  |  |  |
Costs of coal-fueled electric generating units to be retired 1 |  | $ | 1,265 |  |  | $ | 1,258 |
Securitized costs 1 |  | 778 |  |  | 843 |
Postretirement benefits 4 |  | 741 |  |  | 856 |
ARO 3 |  | 328 |  |  | 281 |
2022 PSCR underrecovery 1 |  | 126 |  |  | — |
MGP sites 1 |  | 99 |  |  | 108 |
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt 1 |  | 96 |  |  | 100 |
Decommissioning costs 3 |  | 83 |  |  | 24 |
Energy waste reduction plan incentive 2 |  | 58 |  |  | 55 |
Retention incentive program 3 |  | 27 |  |  | 31 |
Postretirement benefits expense deferral mechanism 3 |  | 24 |  |  | — |
Energy waste reduction plan 3 |  | 19 |  |  | 10 |
Ludington overhaul contract dispute 3 |  | 13 |  |  | — |
Other |  | 26 |  |  | 29 |
Total non-current regulatory assets |  | $ | 3,683 |  |  | $ | 3,595 |
Total regulatory assets |  | $ | 3,886 |  |  | $ | 3,652 |
Regulatory liabilities |  |  |  |
Current |  |  |  |
Income taxes, net |  | $ | 49 |  |  | $ | 48 |
Reserve for customer refunds |  | 2 |  |  | 47 |
Other |  | 5 |  |  | 9 |
Total current regulatory liabilities |  | $ | 56 |  |  | $ | 104 |
Non-current |  |  |  |
Cost of removal |  | $ | 2,545 |  |  | $ | 2,426 |
Income taxes, net |  | 1,220 |  |  | 1,267 |
Renewable energy grant |  | 43 |  |  | 45 |
Renewable energy plan |  | 29 |  |  | 32 |
Energy waste reduction plan |  | 25 |  |  | 6 |
Postretirement benefits expense deferral mechanism |  | 12 |  |  | — |
Other |  | 20 |  |  | 20 |
Total non-current regulatory liabilities |  | $ | 3,894 |  |  | $ | 3,796 |
Total regulatory liabilities |  | $ | 3,950 |  |  | $ | 3,900 |
1 The MPSC has provided a specific return on these regulatory assets. 2 These regulatory assets have arisen from an alternative revenue program and are not associated with incurred costs or capital investments. Therefore, the MPSC has provided for recovery without a return. 3 These regulatory assets represent incurred costs for which the MPSC has provided recovery without a return on investment. 4 This regulatory asset is included in rate base, thereby providing a return. Regulatory Assets 2022 PSCR Underrecovery: As a result of rising fuel prices during 2022, Consumers’ power supply costs for 2022 were significantly higher than those projected in its 2022 PSCR plan. At the end of 2022, Consumers had recorded $401 million of under-recovered power supply costs. In February 2023, the MPSC authorized Consumers to recover the 2022 underrecovery amount over three years, providing immediate relief to electric customers. Energy Waste Reduction Plan Incentive: The energy waste reduction incentive mechanism provides a financial incentive if the energy savings of Consumers’ customers exceed annual targets established by the MPSC. Consumers accounts for this program as an alternative-revenue program that meets the criteria for recognizing revenue related to the incentive as soon as energy savings exceed the annual targets established by the MPSC. In November 2023, the MPSC approved a settlement agreement authorizing Consumers to collect $55 million during 2024 as an incentive for exceeding its statutory savings targets in 2022. Consumers recognized incentive revenue under this program of $55 million in 2022. Consumers also exceeded its statutory savings targets in 2023, achieved certain other goals, and will request the MPSC’s approval to collect $58 million, the maximum performance incentive, in the energy waste reduction reconciliation to be filed in May 2024. Consumers recognized incentive revenue under this program of $58 million in 2023. Retention Incentive Program: To ensure necessary staffing at the D.E. Karn and J.H. Campbell coal-fueled generating units through their retirement, Consumers established retention incentive programs. The MPSC has approved deferred accounting treatment for the retention and severance costs incurred under these programs and has allowed for recovery over three years. For additional details regarding the retention incentive program, see Note 19, Exit Activities and Discontinued Operations. Costs of Coal-fueled Electric Generating Units to be Retired: In June 2022, the MPSC approved Consumers’ Clean Energy Plan, under which Consumers plans to retire the J.H. Campbell coal-fueled generating units in 2025. Upon the units’ retirement, Consumers will receive regulatory asset treatment to recover their remaining book value, as well as a 9.0‑percent return on equity, through 2040, the units’ original retirement date. Until retirement, the book value of the generating units will remain in rate base and receive full regulatory returns in general rate cases. In June 2022, Consumers removed from total plant, property, and equipment an amount of $1.3 billion, representing the projected remaining book value of the electric generating units upon their retirement, and recorded it as a non‑current regulatory asset on its consolidated balance sheets. Securitized Costs: The MPSC has issued securitization financing orders authorizing Consumers to issue securitization bonds in order to finance the recovery of the remaining book value of three smaller natural gas-fueled electric generating units that Consumers retired in 2015, seven smaller coal-fueled electric generating units that Consumers retired in 2016, and the D.E. Karn coal-fueled electric generating units that Consumers retired in June 2023. Consumers has removed from plant, property, and equipment and recorded as a regulatory asset the book value of these units. Consumers is amortizing the regulatory asset over the life of the related securitization bonds, which it issued through subsidiaries in 2014 and 2023. For additional details regarding the securitization bonds, see Note 4, Financings and Capitalization—Securitization Bonds. Postretirement Benefits: As part of the ratemaking process, the MPSC allows Consumers to recover the costs of postretirement benefits. Accordingly, Consumers defers the net impact of actuarial losses and gains, prior service costs and credits, and settlements associated with postretirement benefits as a regulatory asset or liability. The asset or liability will decrease as the deferred items are amortized and recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost. For details about settlements and the amortization periods, see Note 10, Retirement Benefits. ARO: The recovery of the underlying asset investments and related removal and monitoring costs of recorded AROs is approved by the MPSC in depreciation rate cases. Consumers records a regulatory asset and a regulatory liability for timing differences between the recognition of AROs for financial reporting purposes and the recovery of these costs from customers. The recovery period approximates the useful life of the assets to be removed. MGP Sites: Consumers is incurring environmental remediation and other response activity costs at 23 former MGP facilities. The MPSC allows Consumers to recover from its natural gas customers over a ten‑year period the costs incurred to remediate the MGP sites. For additional information, see Note 3, Contingencies and Commitments—Consumers Gas Utility Contingencies—Gas Environmental Matters. Unamortized Loss on Reacquired Debt: Under regulatory accounting, any unamortized discount, premium, or expense related to debt redeemed with the proceeds of new debt is capitalized and amortized over the life of the new debt. Decommissioning Costs: In Consumers’ electric depreciation and general rate cases, the MPSC has authorized Consumers to remove from depreciation rates the costs of decommissioning the D.E. Karn coal-fueled electric generating units, and instead defer those costs as a regulatory asset to be recovered through 2031. Additionally, ash disposal costs related to Consumers’ retired coal-fueled generating units may be deferred as a regulatory asset and collected over a ten-year period. In its 2022 order approving Consumers’ Clean Energy Plan, the MPSC authorized similar treatment for the decommissioning and ash disposal costs associated with the J.H. Campbell coal-fueled generating units that will be retired in 2025. Postretirement Benefits Expense Deferral Mechanism: In Consumers’ general rate cases, the MPSC approved a mechanism allowing Consumers to defer the future recovery or refund of pension and OPEB expenses above or below the amounts used to set existing rates, respectively, beginning in January 2023 for the electric utility and October 2023 for the gas utility. Energy Waste Reduction Plan: The MPSC allows Consumers to collect surcharges from customers to fund its energy waste reduction plan. The amount of spending incurred in excess of surcharges collected is recorded as a regulatory asset and amortized as surcharges are collected from customers over the plan period. The amount of surcharges collected in excess of spending incurred is recorded as a regulatory liability and amortized as costs are incurred. Ludington Overhaul Contract Dispute: The MPSC has authorized Consumers to defer as a regulatory asset costs associated with repairing or replacing defective work performed by TAES during a major overhaul and upgrade of Ludington. Consumers will defer such costs while litigation with TAES and Toshiba moves forward; such costs will be offset by potential future litigation proceeds received from TAES or Toshiba. Consumers will have the opportunity to seek appropriate recovery and ratemaking treatment for amounts recorded as a regulatory asset following resolution of the litigation. For additional details on the contract dispute, see Note 3, Contingencies and Commitments—Consumers Electric Utility Contingencies. Regulatory Liabilities Income Taxes, Net: Consumers records regulatory assets and liabilities to reflect the difference between deferred income taxes recognized for financial reporting purposes and amounts previously reflected in Consumers’ rates. This net balance will decrease over the remaining life of the related temporary differences and flow through income tax expense. The majority of the net regulatory liability recorded related to income taxes is associated with plant assets that are subject to normalization, which is governed by the Internal Revenue Code, and will be returned to customers over the remaining book life of the related plant assets. For additional details on deferred income taxes, see Note 12, Income Taxes. Reserve for Customer Refunds: In December 2022, the MPSC issued an order authorizing Consumers to refund $22 million voluntarily to utility customers. During 2023, the MPSC approved Consumers’ requests that the refund take the form of contributions to programs that assist vulnerable electric and gas customers and incremental vegetation management. Additionally, in the settlement of its 2022 electric rate case, Consumers agreed to refund voluntarily $15 million of 2022 revenues to utility customers through a one‑time bill credit and to fund $10 million in contributions to programs that directly assist vulnerable customers with utility bills. Cost of Removal: The MPSC allows Consumers to collect amounts from customers to fund future asset removal activities. This regulatory liability is reduced as costs are incurred to remove the assets at the end of their useful lives. Renewable Energy Grant: In 2013, Consumers received a $69 million renewable energy grant for Lake Winds® Energy Park, which began operations in 2012. This grant reduces Consumers’ cost of complying with Michigan’s renewable portfolio standard and, accordingly, reduces the overall renewable energy surcharge to be collected from customers. The regulatory liability recorded for the grant will be amortized over the life of Lake Winds® Energy Park. Consumers presents the amortization as a reduction to maintenance and other operating expenses on its consolidated statements of income. Renewable Energy Plan: Consumers has collected surcharges to fund its renewable energy plan. Amounts not yet spent under the plan are recorded as a regulatory liability, which is amortized as incremental costs are incurred to operate and depreciate Consumers’ renewable generation facilities and to purchase RECs under renewable energy purchase agreements. Incremental costs represent costs incurred in excess of amounts recovered through the PSCR process. Consumers Electric and Gas Utility Meter Investigation: In July 2023, the MPSC issued an order initiating an investigation into Consumers’ handling of malfunctioning meters and meters requiring transition from 3G to 4G technology, estimated billing, and new service installations. The order directed Consumers to provide information on such meters and their replacement, meter-reading performance, communications with customers and the MPSC regarding these issues, and other information; Consumers provided this information in August 2023. As directed in the order, the MPSC Staff analyzed this information and made recommendations, including continued monitoring of Consumers’ performance in these areas and penalties for failure to comply with MPSC service rules. In October 2023, the MPSC issued a show-cause order directing Consumers to provide further information on consecutive estimated billings, the provision of actual meter readings, and new service installation issues. Consumers cannot predict the outcome of this matter, but it could be subject to regulatory penalties that are not expected to have a material effect on Consumers’ results of operations and Consumers could be subject to increased regulatory scrutiny. Consumers Electric Utility 2022 Electric Rate Case: In January 2023, the MPSC approved a settlement agreement authorizing an annual rate increase of $155 million, based on a 9.9‑percent authorized return on equity. The MPSC also approved a surcharge for the recovery of $6 million of depreciation, property tax, and interest expense related to distribution investments made in 2021 that exceeded what was authorized in rates in accordance with the December 2020 electric rate order. The new rates became effective January 20, 2023. Consumers Gas Utility 2022 Gas Rate Case: In December 2022, Consumers filed an application with the MPSC seeking an annual rate increase of $212 million, based on a 10.25‑percent authorized return on equity for the projected 12‑month period ending September 30, 2024. In August 2023, the MPSC approved a settlement agreement authorizing an annual rate increase of $95 million, based on a 9.9‑percent authorized return on equity, effective October 1, 2023. The MPSC also authorized the use of a cost deferral mechanism that will allow Consumers to defer for future recovery or refund pension and OPEB expense above or below the amounts used to set existing rates. Power Supply Cost Recovery and Gas Cost Recovery The PSCR and GCR ratemaking processes are designed to allow Consumers to recover all of its power supply and purchased natural gas costs if incurred under reasonable and prudent policies and practices. The MPSC reviews these costs, policies, and practices in annual plan and reconciliation proceedings. Consumers adjusts its PSCR and GCR billing charges monthly, subject to ceiling factor limitations, in order to minimize the underrecovery or overrecovery amount in the annual reconciliations. Underrecoveries represent power supply and purchased natural gas costs that will be recovered from customers; overrecoveries represent previously collected revenues that will be refunded to customers. Presented in the following table are the assets and liabilities for PSCR and GCR underrecoveries and overrecoveries reflected on Consumers’ consolidated balance sheets:
In Millions
December 31 | 2023 | 2022
Assets |  |  |  |
PSCR underrecoveries |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 401 |
GCR underrecoveries |  | — |  |  | 8 |
Accounts receivable and accrued revenue |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 409 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
PSCR overrecoveries |  | $ | 10 |  |  | $ | — |
GCR overrecoveries |  | 44 |  |  | — |
Accrued rate refunds |  | $ | 54 |  |  | $ | — |
PSCR Plans and Reconciliations: In September 2023, the MPSC issued an order in Consumers’ 2021 PSCR reconciliation, authorizing recovery of $2.1 billion of power costs and authorizing Consumers to reflect in its 2022 PSCR reconciliation the overrecovery of $7 million. In March 2023, Consumers filed its 2022 PSCR reconciliation, requesting full recovery of $2.5 billion of power costs and authorization to reflect in its 2023 PSCR reconciliation the underrecovery of $404 million. In November 2023, Consumers revised its reconciliation, requesting authorization to reflect in its 2023 PSCR reconciliation the underrecovery of $401 million. Consumers submitted its 2023 PSCR plan to the MPSC in September 2022 and self-implemented a 2023 PSCR charge in accordance with that plan in January 2023. As a result of significantly higher-than-projected power costs during 2022, Consumers subsequently filed a motion for a temporary order in its 2023 PSCR plan, requesting that the MPSC approve only a third of the 2022 underrecovery amount for recovery in 2023, with the remaining amount to be recovered equally during 2024 and 2025. The MPSC approved Consumers’ motion in February 2023, providing immediate relief to electric customers. The MPSC approved Consumers’ 2023 PSCR plan in August 2023. GCR Plans and Reconciliations: In March 2023, the MPSC approved a settlement agreement in Consumers’ 2021-2022 GCR reconciliation, authorizing recovery of $0.7 billion of gas costs and authorizing Consumers to reflect in its 2022-2023 GCR reconciliation the underrecovery of $9 million. In June 2023, Consumers filed its 2022-2023 GCR reconciliation, requesting full recovery of $1.1 billion of gas costs and authorization to reflect in its 2023-2024 GCR reconciliation the underrecovery of $15 million. Consumers submitted its 2023-2024 GCR plan to the MPSC in December 2022 and self-implemented its proposed 2023-2024 GCR charge in April 2023.
Consumers Energy Company |
Public Utilities, General Disclosures [Line Items] |
Regulatory Matters | Regulatory Matters Regulatory matters are critical to Consumers. The Michigan Attorney General, ABATE, the MPSC Staff, residential customer advocacy groups, environmental organizations, and certain other parties typically participate in MPSC proceedings concerning Consumers, such as Consumers’ rate cases and PSCR and GCR processes. Intervenors also participate in certain FERC matters, including FERC’s regulation of certain wholesale rates that affect Consumers’ power supply costs. 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 and FERC orders or other actions, could negatively affect 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 recovery from customers, the MPSC’s authority to approve voluntary revenue refunds, and other matters. Consumers is unable to predict the outcome of these appeals. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities Consumers is subject to the actions of the MPSC and FERC and therefore prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with the provisions of regulatory accounting. A utility must apply regulatory accounting when its rates are designed to recover specific costs of providing regulated services. Under regulatory accounting, Consumers records regulatory assets or liabilities for certain transactions that would have been treated as expense or revenue by non‑regulated businesses. Presented in the following table are the regulatory assets and liabilities on Consumers’ consolidated balance sheets:
In Millions
December 31 | 2023 | 2022
Regulatory assets |  |  |  |
Current |  |  |  |
2022 PSCR underrecovery 1 |  | $ | 126 |  |  | $ | — |
Energy waste reduction plan incentive 2 |  | 54 |  |  | 47 |
Retention incentive program 3 |  | 12 |  |  | 2 |
Other |  | 11 |  |  | 8 |
Total current regulatory assets |  | $ | 203 |  |  | $ | 57 |
Non-current |  |  |  |
Costs of coal-fueled electric generating units to be retired 1 |  | $ | 1,265 |  |  | $ | 1,258 |
Securitized costs 1 |  | 778 |  |  | 843 |
Postretirement benefits 4 |  | 741 |  |  | 856 |
ARO 3 |  | 328 |  |  | 281 |
2022 PSCR underrecovery 1 |  | 126 |  |  | — |
MGP sites 1 |  | 99 |  |  | 108 |
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt 1 |  | 96 |  |  | 100 |
Decommissioning costs 3 |  | 83 |  |  | 24 |
Energy waste reduction plan incentive 2 |  | 58 |  |  | 55 |
Retention incentive program 3 |  | 27 |  |  | 31 |
Postretirement benefits expense deferral mechanism 3 |  | 24 |  |  | — |
Energy waste reduction plan 3 |  | 19 |  |  | 10 |
Ludington overhaul contract dispute 3 |  | 13 |  |  | — |
Other |  | 26 |  |  | 29 |
Total non-current regulatory assets |  | $ | 3,683 |  |  | $ | 3,595 |
Total regulatory assets |  | $ | 3,886 |  |  | $ | 3,652 |
Regulatory liabilities |  |  |  |
Current |  |  |  |
Income taxes, net |  | $ | 49 |  |  | $ | 48 |
Reserve for customer refunds |  | 2 |  |  | 47 |
Other |  | 5 |  |  | 9 |
Total current regulatory liabilities |  | $ | 56 |  |  | $ | 104 |
Non-current |  |  |  |
Cost of removal |  | $ | 2,545 |  |  | $ | 2,426 |
Income taxes, net |  | 1,220 |  |  | 1,267 |
Renewable energy grant |  | 43 |  |  | 45 |
Renewable energy plan |  | 29 |  |  | 32 |
Energy waste reduction plan |  | 25 |  |  | 6 |
Postretirement benefits expense deferral mechanism |  | 12 |  |  | — |
Other |  | 20 |  |  | 20 |
Total non-current regulatory liabilities |  | $ | 3,894 |  |  | $ | 3,796 |
Total regulatory liabilities |  | $ | 3,950 |  |  | $ | 3,900 |
1 The MPSC has provided a specific return on these regulatory assets. 2 These regulatory assets have arisen from an alternative revenue program and are not associated with incurred costs or capital investments. Therefore, the MPSC has provided for recovery without a return. 3 These regulatory assets represent incurred costs for which the MPSC has provided recovery without a return on investment. 4 This regulatory asset is included in rate base, thereby providing a return. Regulatory Assets 2022 PSCR Underrecovery: As a result of rising fuel prices during 2022, Consumers’ power supply costs for 2022 were significantly higher than those projected in its 2022 PSCR plan. At the end of 2022, Consumers had recorded $401 million of under-recovered power supply costs. In February 2023, the MPSC authorized Consumers to recover the 2022 underrecovery amount over three years, providing immediate relief to electric customers. Energy Waste Reduction Plan Incentive: The energy waste reduction incentive mechanism provides a financial incentive if the energy savings of Consumers’ customers exceed annual targets established by the MPSC. Consumers accounts for this program as an alternative-revenue program that meets the criteria for recognizing revenue related to the incentive as soon as energy savings exceed the annual targets established by the MPSC. In November 2023, the MPSC approved a settlement agreement authorizing Consumers to collect $55 million during 2024 as an incentive for exceeding its statutory savings targets in 2022. Consumers recognized incentive revenue under this program of $55 million in 2022. Consumers also exceeded its statutory savings targets in 2023, achieved certain other goals, and will request the MPSC’s approval to collect $58 million, the maximum performance incentive, in the energy waste reduction reconciliation to be filed in May 2024. Consumers recognized incentive revenue under this program of $58 million in 2023. Retention Incentive Program: To ensure necessary staffing at the D.E. Karn and J.H. Campbell coal-fueled generating units through their retirement, Consumers established retention incentive programs. The MPSC has approved deferred accounting treatment for the retention and severance costs incurred under these programs and has allowed for recovery over three years. For additional details regarding the retention incentive program, see Note 19, Exit Activities and Discontinued Operations. Costs of Coal-fueled Electric Generating Units to be Retired: In June 2022, the MPSC approved Consumers’ Clean Energy Plan, under which Consumers plans to retire the J.H. Campbell coal-fueled generating units in 2025. Upon the units’ retirement, Consumers will receive regulatory asset treatment to recover their remaining book value, as well as a 9.0‑percent return on equity, through 2040, the units’ original retirement date. Until retirement, the book value of the generating units will remain in rate base and receive full regulatory returns in general rate cases. In June 2022, Consumers removed from total plant, property, and equipment an amount of $1.3 billion, representing the projected remaining book value of the electric generating units upon their retirement, and recorded it as a non‑current regulatory asset on its consolidated balance sheets. Securitized Costs: The MPSC has issued securitization financing orders authorizing Consumers to issue securitization bonds in order to finance the recovery of the remaining book value of three smaller natural gas-fueled electric generating units that Consumers retired in 2015, seven smaller coal-fueled electric generating units that Consumers retired in 2016, and the D.E. Karn coal-fueled electric generating units that Consumers retired in June 2023. Consumers has removed from plant, property, and equipment and recorded as a regulatory asset the book value of these units. Consumers is amortizing the regulatory asset over the life of the related securitization bonds, which it issued through subsidiaries in 2014 and 2023. For additional details regarding the securitization bonds, see Note 4, Financings and Capitalization—Securitization Bonds. Postretirement Benefits: As part of the ratemaking process, the MPSC allows Consumers to recover the costs of postretirement benefits. Accordingly, Consumers defers the net impact of actuarial losses and gains, prior service costs and credits, and settlements associated with postretirement benefits as a regulatory asset or liability. The asset or liability will decrease as the deferred items are amortized and recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost. For details about settlements and the amortization periods, see Note 10, Retirement Benefits. ARO: The recovery of the underlying asset investments and related removal and monitoring costs of recorded AROs is approved by the MPSC in depreciation rate cases. Consumers records a regulatory asset and a regulatory liability for timing differences between the recognition of AROs for financial reporting purposes and the recovery of these costs from customers. The recovery period approximates the useful life of the assets to be removed. MGP Sites: Consumers is incurring environmental remediation and other response activity costs at 23 former MGP facilities. The MPSC allows Consumers to recover from its natural gas customers over a ten‑year period the costs incurred to remediate the MGP sites. For additional information, see Note 3, Contingencies and Commitments—Consumers Gas Utility Contingencies—Gas Environmental Matters. Unamortized Loss on Reacquired Debt: Under regulatory accounting, any unamortized discount, premium, or expense related to debt redeemed with the proceeds of new debt is capitalized and amortized over the life of the new debt. Decommissioning Costs: In Consumers’ electric depreciation and general rate cases, the MPSC has authorized Consumers to remove from depreciation rates the costs of decommissioning the D.E. Karn coal-fueled electric generating units, and instead defer those costs as a regulatory asset to be recovered through 2031. Additionally, ash disposal costs related to Consumers’ retired coal-fueled generating units may be deferred as a regulatory asset and collected over a ten-year period. In its 2022 order approving Consumers’ Clean Energy Plan, the MPSC authorized similar treatment for the decommissioning and ash disposal costs associated with the J.H. Campbell coal-fueled generating units that will be retired in 2025. Postretirement Benefits Expense Deferral Mechanism: In Consumers’ general rate cases, the MPSC approved a mechanism allowing Consumers to defer the future recovery or refund of pension and OPEB expenses above or below the amounts used to set existing rates, respectively, beginning in January 2023 for the electric utility and October 2023 for the gas utility. Energy Waste Reduction Plan: The MPSC allows Consumers to collect surcharges from customers to fund its energy waste reduction plan. The amount of spending incurred in excess of surcharges collected is recorded as a regulatory asset and amortized as surcharges are collected from customers over the plan period. The amount of surcharges collected in excess of spending incurred is recorded as a regulatory liability and amortized as costs are incurred. Ludington Overhaul Contract Dispute: The MPSC has authorized Consumers to defer as a regulatory asset costs associated with repairing or replacing defective work performed by TAES during a major overhaul and upgrade of Ludington. Consumers will defer such costs while litigation with TAES and Toshiba moves forward; such costs will be offset by potential future litigation proceeds received from TAES or Toshiba. Consumers will have the opportunity to seek appropriate recovery and ratemaking treatment for amounts recorded as a regulatory asset following resolution of the litigation. For additional details on the contract dispute, see Note 3, Contingencies and Commitments—Consumers Electric Utility Contingencies. Regulatory Liabilities Income Taxes, Net: Consumers records regulatory assets and liabilities to reflect the difference between deferred income taxes recognized for financial reporting purposes and amounts previously reflected in Consumers’ rates. This net balance will decrease over the remaining life of the related temporary differences and flow through income tax expense. The majority of the net regulatory liability recorded related to income taxes is associated with plant assets that are subject to normalization, which is governed by the Internal Revenue Code, and will be returned to customers over the remaining book life of the related plant assets. For additional details on deferred income taxes, see Note 12, Income Taxes. Reserve for Customer Refunds: In December 2022, the MPSC issued an order authorizing Consumers to refund $22 million voluntarily to utility customers. During 2023, the MPSC approved Consumers’ requests that the refund take the form of contributions to programs that assist vulnerable electric and gas customers and incremental vegetation management. Additionally, in the settlement of its 2022 electric rate case, Consumers agreed to refund voluntarily $15 million of 2022 revenues to utility customers through a one‑time bill credit and to fund $10 million in contributions to programs that directly assist vulnerable customers with utility bills. Cost of Removal: The MPSC allows Consumers to collect amounts from customers to fund future asset removal activities. This regulatory liability is reduced as costs are incurred to remove the assets at the end of their useful lives. Renewable Energy Grant: In 2013, Consumers received a $69 million renewable energy grant for Lake Winds® Energy Park, which began operations in 2012. This grant reduces Consumers’ cost of complying with Michigan’s renewable portfolio standard and, accordingly, reduces the overall renewable energy surcharge to be collected from customers. The regulatory liability recorded for the grant will be amortized over the life of Lake Winds® Energy Park. Consumers presents the amortization as a reduction to maintenance and other operating expenses on its consolidated statements of income. Renewable Energy Plan: Consumers has collected surcharges to fund its renewable energy plan. Amounts not yet spent under the plan are recorded as a regulatory liability, which is amortized as incremental costs are incurred to operate and depreciate Consumers’ renewable generation facilities and to purchase RECs under renewable energy purchase agreements. Incremental costs represent costs incurred in excess of amounts recovered through the PSCR process. Consumers Electric and Gas Utility Meter Investigation: In July 2023, the MPSC issued an order initiating an investigation into Consumers’ handling of malfunctioning meters and meters requiring transition from 3G to 4G technology, estimated billing, and new service installations. The order directed Consumers to provide information on such meters and their replacement, meter-reading performance, communications with customers and the MPSC regarding these issues, and other information; Consumers provided this information in August 2023. As directed in the order, the MPSC Staff analyzed this information and made recommendations, including continued monitoring of Consumers’ performance in these areas and penalties for failure to comply with MPSC service rules. In October 2023, the MPSC issued a show-cause order directing Consumers to provide further information on consecutive estimated billings, the provision of actual meter readings, and new service installation issues. Consumers cannot predict the outcome of this matter, but it could be subject to regulatory penalties that are not expected to have a material effect on Consumers’ results of operations and Consumers could be subject to increased regulatory scrutiny. Consumers Electric Utility 2022 Electric Rate Case: In January 2023, the MPSC approved a settlement agreement authorizing an annual rate increase of $155 million, based on a 9.9‑percent authorized return on equity. The MPSC also approved a surcharge for the recovery of $6 million of depreciation, property tax, and interest expense related to distribution investments made in 2021 that exceeded what was authorized in rates in accordance with the December 2020 electric rate order. The new rates became effective January 20, 2023. Consumers Gas Utility 2022 Gas Rate Case: In December 2022, Consumers filed an application with the MPSC seeking an annual rate increase of $212 million, based on a 10.25‑percent authorized return on equity for the projected 12‑month period ending September 30, 2024. In August 2023, the MPSC approved a settlement agreement authorizing an annual rate increase of $95 million, based on a 9.9‑percent authorized return on equity, effective October 1, 2023. The MPSC also authorized the use of a cost deferral mechanism that will allow Consumers to defer for future recovery or refund pension and OPEB expense above or below the amounts used to set existing rates. Power Supply Cost Recovery and Gas Cost Recovery The PSCR and GCR ratemaking processes are designed to allow Consumers to recover all of its power supply and purchased natural gas costs if incurred under reasonable and prudent policies and practices. The MPSC reviews these costs, policies, and practices in annual plan and reconciliation proceedings. Consumers adjusts its PSCR and GCR billing charges monthly, subject to ceiling factor limitations, in order to minimize the underrecovery or overrecovery amount in the annual reconciliations. Underrecoveries represent power supply and purchased natural gas costs that will be recovered from customers; overrecoveries represent previously collected revenues that will be refunded to customers. Presented in the following table are the assets and liabilities for PSCR and GCR underrecoveries and overrecoveries reflected on Consumers’ consolidated balance sheets:
In Millions
December 31 | 2023 | 2022
Assets |  |  |  |
PSCR underrecoveries |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 401 |
GCR underrecoveries |  | — |  |  | 8 |
Accounts receivable and accrued revenue |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 409 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
PSCR overrecoveries |  | $ | 10 |  |  | $ | — |
GCR overrecoveries |  | 44 |  |  | — |
Accrued rate refunds |  | $ | 54 |  |  | $ | — |
PSCR Plans and Reconciliations: In September 2023, the MPSC issued an order in Consumers’ 2021 PSCR reconciliation, authorizing recovery of $2.1 billion of power costs and authorizing Consumers to reflect in its 2022 PSCR reconciliation the overrecovery of $7 million. In March 2023, Consumers filed its 2022 PSCR reconciliation, requesting full recovery of $2.5 billion of power costs and authorization to reflect in its 2023 PSCR reconciliation the underrecovery of $404 million. In November 2023, Consumers revised its reconciliation, requesting authorization to reflect in its 2023 PSCR reconciliation the underrecovery of $401 million. Consumers submitted its 2023 PSCR plan to the MPSC in September 2022 and self-implemented a 2023 PSCR charge in accordance with that plan in January 2023. As a result of significantly higher-than-projected power costs during 2022, Consumers subsequently filed a motion for a temporary order in its 2023 PSCR plan, requesting that the MPSC approve only a third of the 2022 underrecovery amount for recovery in 2023, with the remaining amount to be recovered equally during 2024 and 2025. The MPSC approved Consumers’ motion in February 2023, providing immediate relief to electric customers. The MPSC approved Consumers’ 2023 PSCR plan in August 2023. GCR Plans and Reconciliations: In March 2023, the MPSC approved a settlement agreement in Consumers’ 2021-2022 GCR reconciliation, authorizing recovery of $0.7 billion of gas costs and authorizing Consumers to reflect in its 2022-2023 GCR reconciliation the underrecovery of $9 million. In June 2023, Consumers filed its 2022-2023 GCR reconciliation, requesting full recovery of $1.1 billion of gas costs and authorization to reflect in its 2023-2024 GCR reconciliation the underrecovery of $15 million. Consumers submitted its 2023-2024 GCR plan to the MPSC in December 2022 and self-implemented its proposed 2023-2024 GCR charge in April 2023.

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