Question: What is Coca-Cola’s approach to managing liquidity and debt in the quarter ended June 28, 2024?

Coca-Cola manages its liquidity and debt through various strategies. The company maintains significant cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, totaling $19 billion as of June 28, 2024. It also utilizes a commercial paper program and issues long-term debt to finance its operations and maintain financial flexibility. Additionally, Coca-Cola has $4.6 billion in unused backup lines of credit expiring through 2028, providing further liquidity for general corporate purposes. These measures collectively ensure the company can meet its financial obligations and fund its operations effectively.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

COCA COLA CO 10-Q form for quarterly period ended 2024-06-28, page 45: The Company's effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 28, 2024 and June 30, 2023 vary from the statutory U.S. federal tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to the tax impact of significant operating and nonoperating items, as described in Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, along with the tax benefits of having significant earnings generated outside of the United States and significant earnings generated in investments accounted for under the equity method, both of which are generally taxed at rates lower than the statutory U.S. federal tax rate.
The Company's effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 28, 2024 included $119 million and $60 million, respectively, of net tax expense related to various discrete tax items, including the resolution of certain foreign tax matters.
The Company's effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 included $120 million and $125 million, respectively, of net tax benefits related to various discrete tax items, including a change in tax law in a certain foreign jurisdiction.

On November 18, 2020, the U.S. Tax Court ("Tax Court") issued an opinion ("Opinion") regarding the Company's 2015 litigation with the United States Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") involving transfer pricing tax adjustments in which it predominantly sided with the IRS. On November 8, 2023, the Tax Court issued a supplemental opinion (together with the original Tax Court opinion, "Opinions"), siding with the IRS in concluding both that the blocked-income regulations apply to the Company's operations and that the Tax Court opinion in 3M Co. & Subs. v. Commissioner (February 9, 2023) controlled as to the validity of those regulations. The Company strongly disagrees with the Opinions and intends to vigorously defend its position. Refer to Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the tax litigation.

At the end of each quarter, we make our best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. This estimate reflects, among other items, our best estimate of operating results and foreign currency exchange rates. Based on enacted tax laws, as well as our current interpretation of recently issued regulations, the Company's effective tax rate in 2024 is expected to be 19.0% before considering the potential impact of any significant operating and nonoperating items that may affect our effective tax rate. This rate does not include the impact of the ongoing tax litigation with the IRS, if the Company were not to prevail.
Many jurisdictions have enacted legislation and adopted policies resulting from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's ("OECD") Anti-Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project. The OECD is currently coordinating a two-pillared project on behalf of the G20 and other participating countries which would grant additional taxing rights over profits earned by multinational enterprises to the countries in which their products are sold and services rendered. Pillar One would allow countries to reallocate a portion of profits earned by multinational businesses with an annual global revenue exceeding €20 billion and a profit margin of over 10% to applicable market jurisdictions. While the OECD issued draft language for the international implementation of Pillar One in October 2023, both the substantive rules and implementation process remain under discussion at the OECD so the timetable for any implementation remains uncertain.
In December 2021, the OECD issued Pillar Two model rules which would establish a global per-country minimum tax of 15%, and the European Union has approved a directive requiring member states to incorporate similar provisions into their respective domestic laws. The directive requires the rules to initially become effective for fiscal years starting on or after December 31, 2023. While it is uncertain whether the United States will enact legislation to adopt Pillar Two, numerous countries have enacted legislation, or have indicated their intent to adopt legislation, to implement certain aspects of Pillar Two effective January 1, 2024, with general implementation of the remaining global minimum tax rules by January 1, 2025. The OECD and implementing countries are expected to continue to make further revisions to their legislation and release additional guidance. The Company will continue to monitor developments to determine any potential impact in the countries in which we operate.

LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL POSITION

We believe our ability to generate cash flows from operating activities is one of the fundamental strengths of our business. Refer to the heading "Cash Flows from Operating Activities" below. The Company does not typically raise capital through the issuance of stock. Instead, we use debt financing to lower our overall cost of capital and increase our return on shareowners' equity. Refer to the heading "Cash Flows from Financing Activities" below. We have a history of borrowing funds both domestically and internationally at reasonable interest rates, and we expect to be able to continue to borrow funds at reasonable rates over the long term. Our debt financing also includes the use of a commercial paper program. We currently have the ability to borrow funds in this market at levels that are consistent with our debt financing strategy, and we expect to continue to be able to do so in the future. The Company regularly reviews its optimal mix of short-term and long-term debt.
The Company's cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and marketable securities totaled $19.0 billion as of June 28, 2024. In addition to these funds, our commercial paper program, and our ability to issue long-term debt, we had $4.6 billion in unused backup lines of credit for general corporate purposes as of June 28, 2024. These backup lines of credit expire at various times through 2028.
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, COCA COLA CO 10-Q form for quarterly period ended 2024-06-28, page 46: Our current payment terms with the majority of our suppliers are 120 days. Two global financial institutions offer a voluntary supply chain finance program which enables our suppliers, at their sole discretion, to sell their receivables from the Company to these financial institutions on a non-recourse basis at a rate that leverages our credit rating and thus may be more beneficial to them. We do not believe there is a risk that our payment terms will be shortened in the near future. Refer to Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The Company has a trade accounts receivable factoring program in certain countries. Under this program, we can elect to sell trade accounts receivables to unaffiliated financial institutions at a discount. In these factoring arrangements, for ease of administration, the Company collects customer payments related to the factored receivables and remits those payments to the financial institutions. The Company sold $10,021 million and $7,197 million of trade accounts receivables under this program during the six months ended June 28, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively. The costs of factoring such receivables were $51 million and $31 million for the six months ended June 28, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively. The cash received from the financial institutions is reflected within the operating activities section of our consolidated statement of cash flows.
Our current capital allocation priorities are as follows: investing wisely to support our business operations, continuing to grow our dividend payment, enhancing our beverage portfolio and capabilities through consumer-centric acquisitions, and using excess cash to repurchase shares over time. We currently expect 2024 capital expenditures to be approximately $2.2 billion. During 2024, we expect to repurchase shares to offset dilution resulting from employee stock-based compensation. During 2025, we expect to pay the remaining milestone payment related to the acquisition of fairlife. Refer to Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the milestone payment for fairlife.
We are currently in litigation with the IRS for tax years 2007 through 2009. On November 18, 2020, the Tax Court issued the Opinion in which it predominantly sided with the IRS. On November 8, 2023, the Tax Court issued a supplemental opinion, siding with the IRS in concluding both that certain U.S. tax regulations (known as the blocked-income regulations) that address the effect of certain Brazilian legal restrictions on royalty payments by the Company's licensee in Brazil apply to the Company's operations and that the Tax Court opinion in 3M Co. & Subs. v. Commissioner (February 9, 2023) controlled as to the validity of those regulations. The Company strongly disagrees with the IRS' positions and the portions of the Opinions affirming such positions and intends to vigorously defend our positions utilizing every available avenue of appeal. While the Company believes that it is more likely than not that we will ultimately prevail in this litigation upon appeal, it is possible that all, or some portion of, the adjustments proposed by the IRS and sustained by the Tax Court could ultimately be upheld. In the event that all of the adjustments proposed by the IRS were to be ultimately upheld for tax years 2007 through 2009 and the IRS, with the consent of the federal courts, were to decide to apply the underlying methodology ("Tax Court Methodology") to the subsequent years up to and including 2023, the Company currently estimates that the potential aggregate incremental tax and interest liability could be approximately $16 billion as of December 31, 2023. Additional income tax and interest would continue to accrue until the time any such potential liability, or portion thereof, were to be paid. The Company estimates the impact of the continued application of the Tax Court Methodology for the three and six months ended June 28, 2024 would increase the potential aggregate incremental tax and interest liability by approximately $500 million and $1.0 billion, respectively. The Company and the IRS are now in the process of agreeing on the tax impacts of the Opinions. Subsequent to the completion of this process, the Tax Court will render a decision in the case. The Company will have 90 days thereafter to file a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. The IRS will then seek to collect any additional tax related to the 2007 through 2009 tax years reflected in the Tax Court decision (and interest thereon). The Company expects to pay such amounts at some point between the issuance of the Tax Court decision and the date the amounts are due pursuant to the notice of collection from the IRS and expects this to occur by the end of 2024. The Company currently estimates that the payment to be made at that time related to the 2007 through 2009 tax years, which is included in the above estimate of the potential aggregate incremental tax and interest liability, would be approximately $6.0 billion (including interest accrued through June 28, 2024), plus any additional interest accrued through the time of payment. Some or all of this amount, plus accrued interest, would be refunded if the Company were to prevail on appeal. Refer to Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the tax litigation.
While we believe it is more likely than not that we will prevail in the tax litigation discussed above, we are confident that, between our ability to generate cash flows from operating activities and our ability to borrow funds at reasonable interest rates, we can manage the range of possible outcomes in the final resolution of the matter.
Based on all of the aforementioned factors, the Company believes its current liquidity position is strong and will continue to be sufficient to fund our operating activities and cash commitments for investing and financing activities for the foreseeable future.
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The Company's effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 28, 2024 and June 30, 2023 vary from the statutory U.S. federal tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to the tax impact of significant operating and nonoperating items, as described in Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, along with the tax benefits of having significant earnings generated outside of the United States and significant earnings generated in investments accounted for under the equity method, both of which are generally taxed at rates lower than the statutory U.S. federal tax rate.
The Company's effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 28, 2024 included $119 million and $60 million, respectively, of net tax expense related to various discrete tax items, including the resolution of certain foreign tax matters.
The Company's effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 included $120 million and $125 million, respectively, of net tax benefits related to various discrete tax items, including a change in tax law in a certain foreign jurisdiction.

On November 18, 2020, the U.S. Tax Court ("Tax Court") issued an opinion ("Opinion") regarding the Company's 2015 litigation with the United States Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") involving transfer pricing tax adjustments in which it predominantly sided with the IRS. On November 8, 2023, the Tax Court issued a supplemental opinion (together with the original Tax Court opinion, "Opinions"), siding with the IRS in concluding both that the blocked-income regulations apply to the Company's operations and that the Tax Court opinion in 3M Co. & Subs. v. Commissioner (February 9, 2023) controlled as to the validity of those regulations. The Company strongly disagrees with the Opinions and intends to vigorously defend its position. Refer to Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the tax litigation.

At the end of each quarter, we make our best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. This estimate reflects, among other items, our best estimate of operating results and foreign currency exchange rates. Based on enacted tax laws, as well as our current interpretation of recently issued regulations, the Company's effective tax rate in 2024 is expected to be 19.0% before considering the potential impact of any significant operating and nonoperating items that may affect our effective tax rate. This rate does not include the impact of the ongoing tax litigation with the IRS, if the Company were not to prevail.
Many jurisdictions have enacted legislation and adopted policies resulting from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's ("OECD") Anti-Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project. The OECD is currently coordinating a two-pillared project on behalf of the G20 and other participating countries which would grant additional taxing rights over profits earned by multinational enterprises to the countries in which their products are sold and services rendered. Pillar One would allow countries to reallocate a portion of profits earned by multinational businesses with an annual global revenue exceeding €20 billion and a profit margin of over 10% to applicable market jurisdictions. While the OECD issued draft language for the international implementation of Pillar One in October 2023, both the substantive rules and implementation process remain under discussion at the OECD so the timetable for any implementation remains uncertain.
In December 2021, the OECD issued Pillar Two model rules which would establish a global per-country minimum tax of 15%, and the European Union has approved a directive requiring member states to incorporate similar provisions into their respective domestic laws. The directive requires the rules to initially become effective for fiscal years starting on or after December 31, 2023. While it is uncertain whether the United States will enact legislation to adopt Pillar Two, numerous countries have enacted legislation, or have indicated their intent to adopt legislation, to implement certain aspects of Pillar Two effective January 1, 2024, with general implementation of the remaining global minimum tax rules by January 1, 2025. The OECD and implementing countries are expected to continue to make further revisions to their legislation and release additional guidance. The Company will continue to monitor developments to determine any potential impact in the countries in which we operate.

LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL POSITION

We believe our ability to generate cash flows from operating activities is one of the fundamental strengths of our business. Refer to the heading "Cash Flows from Operating Activities" below. The Company does not typically raise capital through the issuance of stock. Instead, we use debt financing to lower our overall cost of capital and increase our return on shareowners' equity. Refer to the heading "Cash Flows from Financing Activities" below. We have a history of borrowing funds both domestically and internationally at reasonable interest rates, and we expect to be able to continue to borrow funds at reasonable rates over the long term. Our debt financing also includes the use of a commercial paper program. We currently have the ability to borrow funds in this market at levels that are consistent with our debt financing strategy, and we expect to continue to be able to do so in the future. The Company regularly reviews its optimal mix of short-term and long-term debt.
The Company's cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and marketable securities totaled $19.0 billion as of June 28, 2024. In addition to these funds, our commercial paper program, and our ability to issue long-term debt, we had $4.6 billion in unused backup lines of credit for general corporate purposes as of June 28, 2024. These backup lines of credit expire at various times through 2028.
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, Our current payment terms with the majority of our suppliers are 120 days. Two global financial institutions offer a voluntary supply chain finance program which enables our suppliers, at their sole discretion, to sell their receivables from the Company to these financial institutions on a non-recourse basis at a rate that leverages our credit rating and thus may be more beneficial to them. We do not believe there is a risk that our payment terms will be shortened in the near future. Refer to Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The Company has a trade accounts receivable factoring program in certain countries. Under this program, we can elect to sell trade accounts receivables to unaffiliated financial institutions at a discount. In these factoring arrangements, for ease of administration, the Company collects customer payments related to the factored receivables and remits those payments to the financial institutions. The Company sold $10,021 million and $7,197 million of trade accounts receivables under this program during the six months ended June 28, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively. The costs of factoring such receivables were $51 million and $31 million for the six months ended June 28, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively. The cash received from the financial institutions is reflected within the operating activities section of our consolidated statement of cash flows.
Our current capital allocation priorities are as follows: investing wisely to support our business operations, continuing to grow our dividend payment, enhancing our beverage portfolio and capabilities through consumer-centric acquisitions, and using excess cash to repurchase shares over time. We currently expect 2024 capital expenditures to be approximately $2.2 billion. During 2024, we expect to repurchase shares to offset dilution resulting from employee stock-based compensation. During 2025, we expect to pay the remaining milestone payment related to the acquisition of fairlife. Refer to Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the milestone payment for fairlife.
We are currently in litigation with the IRS for tax years 2007 through 2009. On November 18, 2020, the Tax Court issued the Opinion in which it predominantly sided with the IRS. On November 8, 2023, the Tax Court issued a supplemental opinion, siding with the IRS in concluding both that certain U.S. tax regulations (known as the blocked-income regulations) that address the effect of certain Brazilian legal restrictions on royalty payments by the Company's licensee in Brazil apply to the Company's operations and that the Tax Court opinion in 3M Co. & Subs. v. Commissioner (February 9, 2023) controlled as to the validity of those regulations. The Company strongly disagrees with the IRS' positions and the portions of the Opinions affirming such positions and intends to vigorously defend our positions utilizing every available avenue of appeal. While the Company believes that it is more likely than not that we will ultimately prevail in this litigation upon appeal, it is possible that all, or some portion of, the adjustments proposed by the IRS and sustained by the Tax Court could ultimately be upheld. In the event that all of the adjustments proposed by the IRS were to be ultimately upheld for tax years 2007 through 2009 and the IRS, with the consent of the federal courts, were to decide to apply the underlying methodology ("Tax Court Methodology") to the subsequent years up to and including 2023, the Company currently estimates that the potential aggregate incremental tax and interest liability could be approximately $16 billion as of December 31, 2023. Additional income tax and interest would continue to accrue until the time any such potential liability, or portion thereof, were to be paid. The Company estimates the impact of the continued application of the Tax Court Methodology for the three and six months ended June 28, 2024 would increase the potential aggregate incremental tax and interest liability by approximately $500 million and $1.0 billion, respectively. The Company and the IRS are now in the process of agreeing on the tax impacts of the Opinions. Subsequent to the completion of this process, the Tax Court will render a decision in the case. The Company will have 90 days thereafter to file a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. The IRS will then seek to collect any additional tax related to the 2007 through 2009 tax years reflected in the Tax Court decision (and interest thereon). The Company expects to pay such amounts at some point between the issuance of the Tax Court decision and the date the amounts are due pursuant to the notice of collection from the IRS and expects this to occur by the end of 2024. The Company currently estimates that the payment to be made at that time related to the 2007 through 2009 tax years, which is included in the above estimate of the potential aggregate incremental tax and interest liability, would be approximately $6.0 billion (including interest accrued through June 28, 2024), plus any additional interest accrued through the time of payment. Some or all of this amount, plus accrued interest, would be refunded if the Company were to prevail on appeal. Refer to Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the tax litigation.
While we believe it is more likely than not that we will prevail in the tax litigation discussed above, we are confident that, between our ability to generate cash flows from operating activities and our ability to borrow funds at reasonable interest rates, we can manage the range of possible outcomes in the final resolution of the matter.
Based on all of the aforementioned factors, the Company believes its current liquidity position is strong and will continue to be sufficient to fund our operating activities and cash commitments for investing and financing activities for the foreseeable future.
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Question: How does CMS Energy Corp plan to achieve its long-term clean energy goals for the quarter ended March 31, 2024?

Consumers Energy’s Clean Energy Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to achieve its long-term sustainability and clean energy objectives. The plan includes a significant transition away from coal, aiming to cease coal-fueled generation by 2025, which is 15 years earlier than initially planned. To meet customer demands and support environmental goals, the company intends to expand its renewable energy portfolio, targeting the addition of nearly 8,000 MW of solar energy by 2040. This would bring renewable capacity to 30% by 2025, 43% by 2030, and 61% by 2040. Additionally, Consumers plans to deploy substantial battery storage, starting with 75 MW by 2027 and increasing to 475 MW by 2040. To ensure reliable energy delivery, Consumers has purchased the Covert Generating Station, a 1,200 MW natural gas-fueled facility, and will also secure up to 700 MW of capacity through competitively bid Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) beginning in 2025.

CMS ENERGY CORP 10-Q form for quarterly period ended 2024-03-31, page 17: Since 2005, Consumers has reduced its sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions by more than 95 percent and its NOx emissions by nearly 88 percent. Consumers began tracking mercury emissions in 2007; since that time, it has reduced such emissions by nearly 93 percent.
In November 2023, Michigan enacted the 2023 Energy Law, which among other things:
•raises the renewable energy standard from the present 15-percent requirement to 50 percent by 2030 and 60 percent by 2035; renewable energy generated anywhere within MISO may be applied to meeting this standard, with certain limitations
•sets a clean energy standard of 80 percent by 2035 and 100 percent by 2040; low- or zero-carbon emitting resources, such as nuclear generation and natural gas generation coupled with carbon capture, are considered clean energy sources under this standard
•enhances existing incentives for energy efficiency programs and returns earned on competitively bid PPAs
•creates a new energy storage standard that requires electric utilities to file plans by 2029 to obtain new energy storage that will contribute to a Michigan target of 2,500 MW based on their pro rata share
•expands the statutory cap on distributed generation resources to ten percent
Consumers is required to file updates to its amended renewable energy plan before or in November 2024 and its Clean Energy Plan before or in 2027. Together, these updated plans will outline a path to meeting the requirements of the 2023 Energy Law by focusing on increasing the generation of renewable energy, deploying energy storage, helping customers use less energy, and offering demand response programs to reduce demand during critical peak times.
Consumers' Clean Energy Plan details its strategy to meet customers' long-term energy needs and was most recently revised and approved by the MPSC in 2022 under Michigan's integrated resource planning process. The Clean Energy Plan outlines Consumers' long-term strategy for delivering clean, reliable, resilient, and affordable energy to its customers, including plans to:
•end the use of coal-fueled generation in 2025, 15 years sooner than initially planned
•purchase the Covert Generating Station, a natural gas-fueled generating facility with 1,200 MW of nameplate capacity, allowing Consumers to continue to provide controllable sources of electricity to customers; this purchase was completed in May 2023
•solicit up to 700 MW of capacity through PPAs from sources able to deliver to Michigan's Lower Peninsula beginning in 2025
•expand its investment in renewable energy, adding nearly 8,000 MW of solar generation by 2040
Under the Clean Energy Plan, and as enhanced by the 2023 Energy Law, Consumers earns a return equal to its pre-tax weighted-average cost of capital on permanent capital structure on payments made under new competitively bid PPAs with non‑affiliated entities approved by the MPSC.
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, CMS ENERGY CORP 10-Q form for quarterly period ended 2024-03-31, page 18: Presented in the following illustration is Consumers' 2021 capacity portfolio and its future capacity portfolio under its Clean Energy Plan, which does not yet incorporate the requirements of the 2023 Energy Law. This illustration includes the effects of purchased capacity and customer programs and uses the nameplate capacity for all energy sources:
1    Does not include RECs.
2    Includes energy waste reduction, demand response, and conservation voltage reduction programs.
3    These amounts and fuel sources will vary and are dependent on a one‑time competitive solicitation to acquire up to 700 MW of capacity through PPAs from sources able to deliver to Michigan's Lower Peninsula beginning in 2025.
In addition to Consumers' plan to eliminate its use of coal-fueled generation in 2025, CMS Energy and Consumers have set the net‑zero emissions goals discussed below.
Net-zero methane emissions from natural gas delivery system by 2030: Under its Methane Reduction Plan, Consumers plans to reduce methane emissions from its system by about 80 percent, from 2012 baseline levels, by accelerating the replacement of aging pipe, rehabilitating or retiring outdated infrastructure, and adopting new technologies and practices. The remaining emissions will likely be offset by purchasing and/or producing renewable natural gas. To date, Consumers has reduced methane emissions by more than 25 percent.
Net-zero carbon emissions from electric business by 2040: This goal includes not only emissions from owned generation, but also emissions from the generation of power purchased through long-term PPAs and from the MISO energy market. Consumers expects to meet 90 percent of its customers' needs with clean energy sources by 2040 through execution of its Clean Energy Plan. New technologies and carbon offset measures may be used to close the gap to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
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Since 2005, Consumers has reduced its sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions by more than 95 percent and its NOx emissions by nearly 88 percent. Consumers began tracking mercury emissions in 2007; since that time, it has reduced such emissions by nearly 93 percent.
In November 2023, Michigan enacted the 2023 Energy Law, which among other things:
•raises the renewable energy standard from the present 15-percent requirement to 50 percent by 2030 and 60 percent by 2035; renewable energy generated anywhere within MISO may be applied to meeting this standard, with certain limitations
•sets a clean energy standard of 80 percent by 2035 and 100 percent by 2040; low- or zero-carbon emitting resources, such as nuclear generation and natural gas generation coupled with carbon capture, are considered clean energy sources under this standard
•enhances existing incentives for energy efficiency programs and returns earned on competitively bid PPAs
•creates a new energy storage standard that requires electric utilities to file plans by 2029 to obtain new energy storage that will contribute to a Michigan target of 2,500 MW based on their pro rata share
•expands the statutory cap on distributed generation resources to ten percent
Consumers is required to file updates to its amended renewable energy plan before or in November 2024 and its Clean Energy Plan before or in 2027. Together, these updated plans will outline a path to meeting the requirements of the 2023 Energy Law by focusing on increasing the generation of renewable energy, deploying energy storage, helping customers use less energy, and offering demand response programs to reduce demand during critical peak times.
Consumers' Clean Energy Plan details its strategy to meet customers' long-term energy needs and was most recently revised and approved by the MPSC in 2022 under Michigan's integrated resource planning process. The Clean Energy Plan outlines Consumers' long-term strategy for delivering clean, reliable, resilient, and affordable energy to its customers, including plans to:
•end the use of coal-fueled generation in 2025, 15 years sooner than initially planned
•purchase the Covert Generating Station, a natural gas-fueled generating facility with 1,200 MW of nameplate capacity, allowing Consumers to continue to provide controllable sources of electricity to customers; this purchase was completed in May 2023
•solicit up to 700 MW of capacity through PPAs from sources able to deliver to Michigan's Lower Peninsula beginning in 2025
•expand its investment in renewable energy, adding nearly 8,000 MW of solar generation by 2040
Under the Clean Energy Plan, and as enhanced by the 2023 Energy Law, Consumers earns a return equal to its pre-tax weighted-average cost of capital on permanent capital structure on payments made under new competitively bid PPAs with non‑affiliated entities approved by the MPSC.
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, Presented in the following illustration is Consumers' 2021 capacity portfolio and its future capacity portfolio under its Clean Energy Plan, which does not yet incorporate the requirements of the 2023 Energy Law. This illustration includes the effects of purchased capacity and customer programs and uses the nameplate capacity for all energy sources:
1    Does not include RECs.
2    Includes energy waste reduction, demand response, and conservation voltage reduction programs.
3    These amounts and fuel sources will vary and are dependent on a one‑time competitive solicitation to acquire up to 700 MW of capacity through PPAs from sources able to deliver to Michigan's Lower Peninsula beginning in 2025.
In addition to Consumers' plan to eliminate its use of coal-fueled generation in 2025, CMS Energy and Consumers have set the net‑zero emissions goals discussed below.
Net-zero methane emissions from natural gas delivery system by 2030: Under its Methane Reduction Plan, Consumers plans to reduce methane emissions from its system by about 80 percent, from 2012 baseline levels, by accelerating the replacement of aging pipe, rehabilitating or retiring outdated infrastructure, and adopting new technologies and practices. The remaining emissions will likely be offset by purchasing and/or producing renewable natural gas. To date, Consumers has reduced methane emissions by more than 25 percent.
Net-zero carbon emissions from electric business by 2040: This goal includes not only emissions from owned generation, but also emissions from the generation of power purchased through long-term PPAs and from the MISO energy market. Consumers expects to meet 90 percent of its customers' needs with clean energy sources by 2040 through execution of its Clean Energy Plan. New technologies and carbon offset measures may be used to close the gap to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
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Question: How does CMS Energy Corp address regulatory changes impacting clean energy initiatives in the quarter ended March 31, 2024?

Consumers Energy addresses regulatory changes impacting its clean energy initiatives through continuous evaluation of evolving regulations and proactive planning. Notable regulatory frameworks include the EPA’s Good Neighbor Plan under CSAPR, the NAAQS for ozone and particulate matter, and Michigan’s Healthy Climate Plan. The company reviews these regulations in conjunction with other rulemakings by EPA, EGLE, and other bodies, ensuring alignment with environmental compliance and operational objectives. This ongoing assessment includes potential adjustments in fuel mix, operational strategies, and investments in emission control equipment or alternative energy sources.

CMS ENERGY CORP 10-Q form for quarterly period ended 2024-03-31, page 34: MPSC Distribution System Audit: In 2022, the MPSC ordered the state's two largest electric utilities, including Consumers, to report on their compliance with regulations and past MPSC orders governing the utilities' response to outages and downed lines. Consumers responded to the MPSC's order as directed.
Additionally, as directed by the MPSC, the MPSC Staff has engaged a third‑party auditor to review all equipment and operations of the two utilities' distribution systems; this audit began in August 2023. The MPSC Staff released a report prepared by the third-party auditor to summarize the audit's progress in December 2023, and a final report is expected in late summer 2024. Consumers is committed to working with the third‑party auditor and the MPSC to continue improving electric reliability and safety in Michigan.
Retention Incentive Program: Under its Clean Energy Plan, Consumers will retire the J.H. Campbell coal-fueled generating units in 2025. In order to ensure necessary staffing at J.H. Campbell through retirement, Consumers has implemented a retention incentive program. The aggregate cost of the J.H. Campbell program through 2025 is estimated to be $50 million; Consumers expects to recognize $10 million of retention benefit costs in 2024. The MPSC has approved deferred accounting treatment for these costs; these expenses are deferred as a regulatory asset. For additional details on this program, see Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements-Note 12, Exit Activities.
Electric Environmental Outlook: Consumers' electric operations are subject to various federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. Consumers estimates that it will incur capital expenditures of $240 million from 2024 through 2028 to continue to comply with RCRA, the Clean Air Act, and numerous other environmental regulations. Consumers expects to recover these costs in customer rates, but cannot guarantee this result. Multiple environmental laws and regulations are subject to litigation. Consumers' primary environmental compliance focus includes, but is not limited to, the following matters.
Air Quality: Multiple air quality regulations apply, or may apply, to Consumers' electric utility.
MATS, emission standards for electric generating units published by the EPA based on Section 112 of the Clean Air Act, continue to apply to Consumers. The company has complied, and continues to comply, with the MATS regulation and does not expect MATS to materially impact its environmental strategy.
CSAPR requires Michigan and many other states to improve air quality by reducing power plant emissions that, according to EPA modeling, contribute to ground-level ozone in other downwind states. Since its 2015 effective date, CSAPR has been revised several times. In June 2023, the EPA published the Good Neighbor Plan, a revision to CSAPR. This regulation tightens allowance budgets for electric generating units in Michigan between 2023 and 2029 and changes the mechanism for allocating such allowances on a year-over-year basis beginning in 2026. Consumers' initial evaluation of this regulation indicates that it will have minimal financial and operational impact in the near term. Additionally, Consumers does not expect any major financial and operational impact in the long term. However, due to the dynamic nature of this regulation, it is difficult to forecast the long-term impact.
In 2015, the EPA lowered the NAAQS for ozone and made it more difficult to construct or modify power plants and other emission sources in areas of the country that do not meet the ozone standard. As of May 2023, three counties in western Michigan have been designated as not meeting the ozone standard. None of Consumers' fossil-fuel-fired generating units are located in these areas.
Additionally, in March 2024, the EPA published a lower fine particulate matter NAAQS, which will likely result in newly designated nonattainment areas in Michigan starting in 2026. Consumers does not expect this rule to have significant impacts on its fossil-fuel-fired generating assets or its clean energy
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, CMS ENERGY CORP 10-Q form for quarterly period ended 2024-03-31, page 35: strategy. Consumers will continue to monitor NAAQS rulemakings and evaluate potential impacts to its generating assets.
Consumers continues to evaluate these rules in conjunction with other EPA and EGLE rulemakings, litigation, executive orders, treaties, and congressional actions. 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 operated, including the installation of additional emission control equipment
•the retirement, mothballing, or repowering with an alternative fuel of some of Consumers' generating units
•changes in Consumers' environmental compliance costs
•the purchase or sale of allowances
Greenhouse Gases: There have been numerous legislative and regulatory initiatives at the state, regional, national, and international levels that involve the potential regulation and reporting of greenhouse gases. Consumers continues to monitor and comment on these initiatives, as appropriate.
In May 2023, the EPA released its proposed rule to address greenhouse gas emissions from existing fossil-fuel-fired electric generating units. Under its Clean Energy Plan, Consumers will eliminate the use of coal-fueled generation in 2025. Therefore, this proposed rule will not materially impact Consumers over the remaining operating lives of these coal-fueled facilities. The proposed rule had requirements for existing natural gas-fueled facilities that could have had a material impact on Consumers' natural gas-fueled facilities. However, the EPA announced in March 2024 that the final rule, expected in April or May 2024, will not cover existing natural gas-fueled facilities. Instead, the EPA expects to cover those facilities in a future rulemaking. Consumers will continue to follow the finalization of this rule and any subsequent rules to control greenhouse gases and will continue to evaluate potential impacts to its Clean Energy Plan.
Under the Paris Agreement, an international agreement addressing greenhouse gas emissions, the U.S. has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 52 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. Under its Clean Energy Plan, Consumers plans to reduce carbon emissions from its electric business by 60 percent from 2005 levels in 2025. At this time, Consumers does not expect any adverse changes to its environmental strategy as a result of this event, as its plans exceed the nationally committed reduction. The commitment made by the U.S. is not binding without new Congressional legislation.
In 2020, Michigan's Governor signed an executive order creating the Michigan Healthy Climate Plan, which outlines goals for Michigan to achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and to be carbon neutral by 2050. The executive order aims for a 28‑percent reduction below 2005 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. Consumers has already surpassed the 28‑percent reduction milestone for its owned electric generation and previously announced a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions from its electric business by 2040. The 2023 Energy Law codifies much of the Governor's goals. For additional details on the 2023 Energy Law, see the Planet section of the Executive Overview.
Increased frequency or intensity of severe or extreme weather events, including those due to climate change, could materially impact Consumers' facilities, energy sales, and results of operations. Consumers is unable to predict these events; however, Consumers evaluates the potential physical impacts of climate change on its operations, including increased frequency or intensity of storm activity; increased precipitation; increased temperature; and changes in lake and river levels. Consumers released a report addressing the physical risks of climate change on its infrastructure in 2022. Consumers is taking steps to mitigate these risks as appropriate.
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MPSC Distribution System Audit: In 2022, the MPSC ordered the state's two largest electric utilities, including Consumers, to report on their compliance with regulations and past MPSC orders governing the utilities' response to outages and downed lines. Consumers responded to the MPSC's order as directed.
Additionally, as directed by the MPSC, the MPSC Staff has engaged a third‑party auditor to review all equipment and operations of the two utilities' distribution systems; this audit began in August 2023. The MPSC Staff released a report prepared by the third-party auditor to summarize the audit's progress in December 2023, and a final report is expected in late summer 2024. Consumers is committed to working with the third‑party auditor and the MPSC to continue improving electric reliability and safety in Michigan.
Retention Incentive Program: Under its Clean Energy Plan, Consumers will retire the J.H. Campbell coal-fueled generating units in 2025. In order to ensure necessary staffing at J.H. Campbell through retirement, Consumers has implemented a retention incentive program. The aggregate cost of the J.H. Campbell program through 2025 is estimated to be $50 million; Consumers expects to recognize $10 million of retention benefit costs in 2024. The MPSC has approved deferred accounting treatment for these costs; these expenses are deferred as a regulatory asset. For additional details on this program, see Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements-Note 12, Exit Activities.
Electric Environmental Outlook: Consumers' electric operations are subject to various federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. Consumers estimates that it will incur capital expenditures of $240 million from 2024 through 2028 to continue to comply with RCRA, the Clean Air Act, and numerous other environmental regulations. Consumers expects to recover these costs in customer rates, but cannot guarantee this result. Multiple environmental laws and regulations are subject to litigation. Consumers' primary environmental compliance focus includes, but is not limited to, the following matters.
Air Quality: Multiple air quality regulations apply, or may apply, to Consumers' electric utility.
MATS, emission standards for electric generating units published by the EPA based on Section 112 of the Clean Air Act, continue to apply to Consumers. The company has complied, and continues to comply, with the MATS regulation and does not expect MATS to materially impact its environmental strategy.
CSAPR requires Michigan and many other states to improve air quality by reducing power plant emissions that, according to EPA modeling, contribute to ground-level ozone in other downwind states. Since its 2015 effective date, CSAPR has been revised several times. In June 2023, the EPA published the Good Neighbor Plan, a revision to CSAPR. This regulation tightens allowance budgets for electric generating units in Michigan between 2023 and 2029 and changes the mechanism for allocating such allowances on a year-over-year basis beginning in 2026. Consumers' initial evaluation of this regulation indicates that it will have minimal financial and operational impact in the near term. Additionally, Consumers does not expect any major financial and operational impact in the long term. However, due to the dynamic nature of this regulation, it is difficult to forecast the long-term impact.
In 2015, the EPA lowered the NAAQS for ozone and made it more difficult to construct or modify power plants and other emission sources in areas of the country that do not meet the ozone standard. As of May 2023, three counties in western Michigan have been designated as not meeting the ozone standard. None of Consumers' fossil-fuel-fired generating units are located in these areas.
Additionally, in March 2024, the EPA published a lower fine particulate matter NAAQS, which will likely result in newly designated nonattainment areas in Michigan starting in 2026. Consumers does not expect this rule to have significant impacts on its fossil-fuel-fired generating assets or its clean energy
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, strategy. Consumers will continue to monitor NAAQS rulemakings and evaluate potential impacts to its generating assets.
Consumers continues to evaluate these rules in conjunction with other EPA and EGLE rulemakings, litigation, executive orders, treaties, and congressional actions. 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 operated, including the installation of additional emission control equipment
•the retirement, mothballing, or repowering with an alternative fuel of some of Consumers' generating units
•changes in Consumers' environmental compliance costs
•the purchase or sale of allowances
Greenhouse Gases: There have been numerous legislative and regulatory initiatives at the state, regional, national, and international levels that involve the potential regulation and reporting of greenhouse gases. Consumers continues to monitor and comment on these initiatives, as appropriate.
In May 2023, the EPA released its proposed rule to address greenhouse gas emissions from existing fossil-fuel-fired electric generating units. Under its Clean Energy Plan, Consumers will eliminate the use of coal-fueled generation in 2025. Therefore, this proposed rule will not materially impact Consumers over the remaining operating lives of these coal-fueled facilities. The proposed rule had requirements for existing natural gas-fueled facilities that could have had a material impact on Consumers' natural gas-fueled facilities. However, the EPA announced in March 2024 that the final rule, expected in April or May 2024, will not cover existing natural gas-fueled facilities. Instead, the EPA expects to cover those facilities in a future rulemaking. Consumers will continue to follow the finalization of this rule and any subsequent rules to control greenhouse gases and will continue to evaluate potential impacts to its Clean Energy Plan.
Under the Paris Agreement, an international agreement addressing greenhouse gas emissions, the U.S. has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 52 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. Under its Clean Energy Plan, Consumers plans to reduce carbon emissions from its electric business by 60 percent from 2005 levels in 2025. At this time, Consumers does not expect any adverse changes to its environmental strategy as a result of this event, as its plans exceed the nationally committed reduction. The commitment made by the U.S. is not binding without new Congressional legislation.
In 2020, Michigan's Governor signed an executive order creating the Michigan Healthy Climate Plan, which outlines goals for Michigan to achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and to be carbon neutral by 2050. The executive order aims for a 28‑percent reduction below 2005 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. Consumers has already surpassed the 28‑percent reduction milestone for its owned electric generation and previously announced a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions from its electric business by 2040. The 2023 Energy Law codifies much of the Governor's goals. For additional details on the 2023 Energy Law, see the Planet section of the Executive Overview.
Increased frequency or intensity of severe or extreme weather events, including those due to climate change, could materially impact Consumers' facilities, energy sales, and results of operations. Consumers is unable to predict these events; however, Consumers evaluates the potential physical impacts of climate change on its operations, including increased frequency or intensity of storm activity; increased precipitation; increased temperature; and changes in lake and river levels. Consumers released a report addressing the physical risks of climate change on its infrastructure in 2022. Consumers is taking steps to mitigate these risks as appropriate.
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Question: What customer-focused programs support CMS Energy Corp's clean energy goals for the quarter ended March 31, 2024?

Consumers Energy’s customer-focused programs play a crucial role in supporting its Clean Energy Plan and achieving long-term sustainability objectives. Among these programs are energy waste reduction initiatives, which aim to improve energy efficiency and decrease overall consumption, helping to lower carbon emissions. Additionally, the company offers demand response programs that encourage customers to reduce or shift their electricity usage during peak demand periods, which supports grid stability and reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Another key initiative is the Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) program, which optimizes voltage levels on the electric grid to minimize energy usage while maintaining service quality. These programs collectively enable Consumers to enhance grid efficiency, integrate renewable energy sources, and engage customers in the transition to clean energy.

CMS ENERGY CORP 10-Q form for quarterly period ended 2024-03-31, page 17: Since 2005, Consumers has reduced its sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions by more than 95 percent and its NOx emissions by nearly 88 percent. Consumers began tracking mercury emissions in 2007; since that time, it has reduced such emissions by nearly 93 percent.
In November 2023, Michigan enacted the 2023 Energy Law, which among other things:
•raises the renewable energy standard from the present 15-percent requirement to 50 percent by 2030 and 60 percent by 2035; renewable energy generated anywhere within MISO may be applied to meeting this standard, with certain limitations
•sets a clean energy standard of 80 percent by 2035 and 100 percent by 2040; low- or zero-carbon emitting resources, such as nuclear generation and natural gas generation coupled with carbon capture, are considered clean energy sources under this standard
•enhances existing incentives for energy efficiency programs and returns earned on competitively bid PPAs
•creates a new energy storage standard that requires electric utilities to file plans by 2029 to obtain new energy storage that will contribute to a Michigan target of 2,500 MW based on their pro rata share
•expands the statutory cap on distributed generation resources to ten percent
Consumers is required to file updates to its amended renewable energy plan before or in November 2024 and its Clean Energy Plan before or in 2027. Together, these updated plans will outline a path to meeting the requirements of the 2023 Energy Law by focusing on increasing the generation of renewable energy, deploying energy storage, helping customers use less energy, and offering demand response programs to reduce demand during critical peak times.
Consumers' Clean Energy Plan details its strategy to meet customers' long-term energy needs and was most recently revised and approved by the MPSC in 2022 under Michigan's integrated resource planning process. The Clean Energy Plan outlines Consumers' long-term strategy for delivering clean, reliable, resilient, and affordable energy to its customers, including plans to:
•end the use of coal-fueled generation in 2025, 15 years sooner than initially planned
•purchase the Covert Generating Station, a natural gas-fueled generating facility with 1,200 MW of nameplate capacity, allowing Consumers to continue to provide controllable sources of electricity to customers; this purchase was completed in May 2023
•solicit up to 700 MW of capacity through PPAs from sources able to deliver to Michigan's Lower Peninsula beginning in 2025
•expand its investment in renewable energy, adding nearly 8,000 MW of solar generation by 2040
Under the Clean Energy Plan, and as enhanced by the 2023 Energy Law, Consumers earns a return equal to its pre-tax weighted-average cost of capital on permanent capital structure on payments made under new competitively bid PPAs with non‑affiliated entities approved by the MPSC.
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, CMS ENERGY CORP 10-Q form for quarterly period ended 2024-03-31, page 18: Presented in the following illustration is Consumers' 2021 capacity portfolio and its future capacity portfolio under its Clean Energy Plan, which does not yet incorporate the requirements of the 2023 Energy Law. This illustration includes the effects of purchased capacity and customer programs and uses the nameplate capacity for all energy sources:
1    Does not include RECs.
2    Includes energy waste reduction, demand response, and conservation voltage reduction programs.
3    These amounts and fuel sources will vary and are dependent on a one‑time competitive solicitation to acquire up to 700 MW of capacity through PPAs from sources able to deliver to Michigan's Lower Peninsula beginning in 2025.
In addition to Consumers' plan to eliminate its use of coal-fueled generation in 2025, CMS Energy and Consumers have set the net‑zero emissions goals discussed below.
Net-zero methane emissions from natural gas delivery system by 2030: Under its Methane Reduction Plan, Consumers plans to reduce methane emissions from its system by about 80 percent, from 2012 baseline levels, by accelerating the replacement of aging pipe, rehabilitating or retiring outdated infrastructure, and adopting new technologies and practices. The remaining emissions will likely be offset by purchasing and/or producing renewable natural gas. To date, Consumers has reduced methane emissions by more than 25 percent.
Net-zero carbon emissions from electric business by 2040: This goal includes not only emissions from owned generation, but also emissions from the generation of power purchased through long-term PPAs and from the MISO energy market. Consumers expects to meet 90 percent of its customers' needs with clean energy sources by 2040 through execution of its Clean Energy Plan. New technologies and carbon offset measures may be used to close the gap to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
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Since 2005, Consumers has reduced its sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions by more than 95 percent and its NOx emissions by nearly 88 percent. Consumers began tracking mercury emissions in 2007; since that time, it has reduced such emissions by nearly 93 percent.
In November 2023, Michigan enacted the 2023 Energy Law, which among other things:
•raises the renewable energy standard from the present 15-percent requirement to 50 percent by 2030 and 60 percent by 2035; renewable energy generated anywhere within MISO may be applied to meeting this standard, with certain limitations
•sets a clean energy standard of 80 percent by 2035 and 100 percent by 2040; low- or zero-carbon emitting resources, such as nuclear generation and natural gas generation coupled with carbon capture, are considered clean energy sources under this standard
•enhances existing incentives for energy efficiency programs and returns earned on competitively bid PPAs
•creates a new energy storage standard that requires electric utilities to file plans by 2029 to obtain new energy storage that will contribute to a Michigan target of 2,500 MW based on their pro rata share
•expands the statutory cap on distributed generation resources to ten percent
Consumers is required to file updates to its amended renewable energy plan before or in November 2024 and its Clean Energy Plan before or in 2027. Together, these updated plans will outline a path to meeting the requirements of the 2023 Energy Law by focusing on increasing the generation of renewable energy, deploying energy storage, helping customers use less energy, and offering demand response programs to reduce demand during critical peak times.
Consumers' Clean Energy Plan details its strategy to meet customers' long-term energy needs and was most recently revised and approved by the MPSC in 2022 under Michigan's integrated resource planning process. The Clean Energy Plan outlines Consumers' long-term strategy for delivering clean, reliable, resilient, and affordable energy to its customers, including plans to:
•end the use of coal-fueled generation in 2025, 15 years sooner than initially planned
•purchase the Covert Generating Station, a natural gas-fueled generating facility with 1,200 MW of nameplate capacity, allowing Consumers to continue to provide controllable sources of electricity to customers; this purchase was completed in May 2023
•solicit up to 700 MW of capacity through PPAs from sources able to deliver to Michigan's Lower Peninsula beginning in 2025
•expand its investment in renewable energy, adding nearly 8,000 MW of solar generation by 2040
Under the Clean Energy Plan, and as enhanced by the 2023 Energy Law, Consumers earns a return equal to its pre-tax weighted-average cost of capital on permanent capital structure on payments made under new competitively bid PPAs with non‑affiliated entities approved by the MPSC.
17

, Presented in the following illustration is Consumers' 2021 capacity portfolio and its future capacity portfolio under its Clean Energy Plan, which does not yet incorporate the requirements of the 2023 Energy Law. This illustration includes the effects of purchased capacity and customer programs and uses the nameplate capacity for all energy sources:
1    Does not include RECs.
2    Includes energy waste reduction, demand response, and conservation voltage reduction programs.
3    These amounts and fuel sources will vary and are dependent on a one‑time competitive solicitation to acquire up to 700 MW of capacity through PPAs from sources able to deliver to Michigan's Lower Peninsula beginning in 2025.
In addition to Consumers' plan to eliminate its use of coal-fueled generation in 2025, CMS Energy and Consumers have set the net‑zero emissions goals discussed below.
Net-zero methane emissions from natural gas delivery system by 2030: Under its Methane Reduction Plan, Consumers plans to reduce methane emissions from its system by about 80 percent, from 2012 baseline levels, by accelerating the replacement of aging pipe, rehabilitating or retiring outdated infrastructure, and adopting new technologies and practices. The remaining emissions will likely be offset by purchasing and/or producing renewable natural gas. To date, Consumers has reduced methane emissions by more than 25 percent.
Net-zero carbon emissions from electric business by 2040: This goal includes not only emissions from owned generation, but also emissions from the generation of power purchased through long-term PPAs and from the MISO energy market. Consumers expects to meet 90 percent of its customers' needs with clean energy sources by 2040 through execution of its Clean Energy Plan. New technologies and carbon offset measures may be used to close the gap to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
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Question: What investments is CMS Energy Corp making to enhance grid reliability in the quarter ended March 31, 2024?

Consumers Energy is making substantial investments to enhance grid reliability, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, replacements, and clean generation over the next five years. The company has prioritized these investments based on criteria such as enhancing public safety, increasing reliability, maintaining affordability for customers, and advancing environmental stewardship. Of the $17 billion planned capital expenditures through 2028, Consumers expects to allocate $13.6 billion in the next five years. This includes $7.3 billion for electric distribution projects aimed at strengthening circuits and substations, replacing poles, and facilitating clean energy resource integration. Additionally, $6.3 billion is earmarked for gas infrastructure projects to enhance pipeline integrity and safety, sustain deliverability, and reduce methane emissions. Furthermore, $3.4 billion will be invested in clean generation, covering wind, solar, and hydroelectric resources.

CMS ENERGY CORP 10-Q form for quarterly period ended 2024-03-31, page 20:
Performance: Impacting the Triple Bottom Line

CMS Energy and Consumers remain committed to achieving world class performance while delivering hometown service and positively impacting the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. During 2023, CMS Energy met all requirements for inclusion in the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes; these indexes are designed to represent the performance of companies that have high environmental, social, and governance ratings relative to their sector peers. Additionally, Consumers:
•was selected to receive a $100 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund investments in its electric distribution system, improving the reliability of Michigan's electric grid
•participated in the state's economic development efforts that have resulted in commitments by large third-party manufacturers to construct facilities for electric vehicle batteries and battery components in Michigan
•announced plans for an 85-MW solar array to be constructed at the former D.E. Karn coal-generating facilities, which were retired earlier in 2023
•grew its voluntary large customer renewable energy program to approximately 365 MW
•opened a state-of-the-art natural gas training facility in Flint, Michigan that facilitates employee training that is critical to keeping workers, customers, and the public safe
•announced plans to install more than 120 automatic transfer reclosers to improve electric reliability and help prevent power outages
•completed the first phase of its Mid-Michigan Pipeline Project, part of Consumers' commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable natural gas to Michigan homes and businesses
•announced new efforts to install electric vehicle chargers at apartment buildings, condominiums, and overnight community locations across the state of Michigan

•was one of 15 recipients of the U.S. Department of Defense's 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, an honor to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees

CMS Energy and Consumers will continue to utilize the CE 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: Over the next five years, Consumers expects to make significant expenditures on infrastructure upgrades, replacements, and clean generation. 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, which is subject to approval through general rate case and other MPSC proceedings, is expected to result in annual rate-base growth of more than seven percent. This rate-base growth, together with cost-control measures, should allow Consumers to maintain affordable customer prices.
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, CMS ENERGY CORP 10-Q form for quarterly period ended 2024-03-31, page 21: Presented in the following illustration are Consumers' planned capital expenditures through 2028 of $17.0 billion:
Of this amount, Consumers plans to spend $13.6 billion over the next five years primarily to maintain and upgrade its electric distribution systems and gas infrastructure in order to enhance safety and reliability, improve customer satisfaction, reduce energy waste on those systems, and facilitate its clean energy transformation. Electric distribution and other projects comprise $7.3 billion primarily to strengthen circuits and substations, replace poles, and interconnect clean energy resources. The gas infrastructure projects comprise $6.3 billion to sustain deliverability, enhance pipeline integrity and safety, and reduce methane emissions. Consumers also expects to spend $3.4 billion on clean generation, which includes investments in wind, solar, and hydroelectric generation resources.
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.
2023 Electric Rate Case: In March 2024, the MPSC issued an order authorizing an annual rate increase of $92 million, which is inclusive of a $9 million surcharge for the recovery of select distribution investments made in 2022 that exceeded the rates authorized in accordance with the December 2021 electric rate order. The approved rate increase is based on a 9.9-percent authorized return on equity. The new rates became effective March 15, 2024.
2023 Gas Rate Case: In December 2023, Consumers filed an application with the MPSC seeking an annual rate increase of $136 million based on a 10.25‑percent authorized return on equity for the projected 12‑month period ending September 30, 2025. The filing requests authority to recover new infrastructure investment and related costs that are expected to allow Consumers to continue to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and increasingly cleaner natural gas service.
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Performance: Impacting the Triple Bottom Line

CMS Energy and Consumers remain committed to achieving world class performance while delivering hometown service and positively impacting the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. During 2023, CMS Energy met all requirements for inclusion in the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes; these indexes are designed to represent the performance of companies that have high environmental, social, and governance ratings relative to their sector peers. Additionally, Consumers:
•was selected to receive a $100 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund investments in its electric distribution system, improving the reliability of Michigan's electric grid
•participated in the state's economic development efforts that have resulted in commitments by large third-party manufacturers to construct facilities for electric vehicle batteries and battery components in Michigan
•announced plans for an 85-MW solar array to be constructed at the former D.E. Karn coal-generating facilities, which were retired earlier in 2023
•grew its voluntary large customer renewable energy program to approximately 365 MW
•opened a state-of-the-art natural gas training facility in Flint, Michigan that facilitates employee training that is critical to keeping workers, customers, and the public safe
•announced plans to install more than 120 automatic transfer reclosers to improve electric reliability and help prevent power outages
•completed the first phase of its Mid-Michigan Pipeline Project, part of Consumers' commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable natural gas to Michigan homes and businesses
•announced new efforts to install electric vehicle chargers at apartment buildings, condominiums, and overnight community locations across the state of Michigan

•was one of 15 recipients of the U.S. Department of Defense's 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, an honor to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees

CMS Energy and Consumers will continue to utilize the CE 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: Over the next five years, Consumers expects to make significant expenditures on infrastructure upgrades, replacements, and clean generation. 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, which is subject to approval through general rate case and other MPSC proceedings, is expected to result in annual rate-base growth of more than seven percent. This rate-base growth, together with cost-control measures, should allow Consumers to maintain affordable customer prices.
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, Presented in the following illustration are Consumers' planned capital expenditures through 2028 of $17.0 billion:
Of this amount, Consumers plans to spend $13.6 billion over the next five years primarily to maintain and upgrade its electric distribution systems and gas infrastructure in order to enhance safety and reliability, improve customer satisfaction, reduce energy waste on those systems, and facilitate its clean energy transformation. Electric distribution and other projects comprise $7.3 billion primarily to strengthen circuits and substations, replace poles, and interconnect clean energy resources. The gas infrastructure projects comprise $6.3 billion to sustain deliverability, enhance pipeline integrity and safety, and reduce methane emissions. Consumers also expects to spend $3.4 billion on clean generation, which includes investments in wind, solar, and hydroelectric generation resources.
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.
2023 Electric Rate Case: In March 2024, the MPSC issued an order authorizing an annual rate increase of $92 million, which is inclusive of a $9 million surcharge for the recovery of select distribution investments made in 2022 that exceeded the rates authorized in accordance with the December 2021 electric rate order. The approved rate increase is based on a 9.9-percent authorized return on equity. The new rates became effective March 15, 2024.
2023 Gas Rate Case: In December 2023, Consumers filed an application with the MPSC seeking an annual rate increase of $136 million based on a 10.25‑percent authorized return on equity for the projected 12‑month period ending September 30, 2025. The filing requests authority to recover new infrastructure investment and related costs that are expected to allow Consumers to continue to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and increasingly cleaner natural gas service.
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Question: What steps is CMS Energy Corp taking to improve safety in operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2024?

Consumers Energy emphasizes safety as a core component of its operations, reflecting its commitment to employees, customers, and the general public. The company integrates safety principles into its business practices, ensuring compliance with safety, health, and security regulations while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Over the past decade, Consumers has successfully reduced its OSHA recordable incident rate by 20%.

Furthermore, Consumers has implemented a Reliability Roadmap, a five-year strategy designed to enhance the electric distribution system and improve grid reliability. This plan includes $7 billion in capital expenditures and $1.7 billion in maintenance and operating costs, aimed at reducing the frequency and duration of power outages. These initiatives highlight Consumers' dedication to enhancing operational safety and delivering reliable services.

CMS ENERGY CORP 10-Q form for quarterly period ended 2024-03-31, page 15: the investment community, and other stakeholders, and it reflects the broader societal impacts of CMS Energy's and Consumers' activities.
CMS Energy's Sustainability Report, which is available to the public, describes CMS Energy's and Consumers' 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 they 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. Over the last ten years, Consumers' Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordable incident rate has decreased by 20 percent.
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.
In September 2023, Consumers filed its Reliability Roadmap, an update to its previous Electric Distribution Infrastructure Investment Plan filed in 2021, with the MPSC. The Reliability Roadmap outlines a five-year strategy to improve Consumers' electric distribution system and the reliability of the grid. The plan proposes the following spending for projects designed to reduce the number and duration of power outages to customers through investment in infrastructure upgrades, forestry management, and grid modernization:
•capital expenditures of $7 billion over the next five years; this amount is $3 billion higher than proposed in the previous plan
•maintenance and operating spending of $1.7 billion over the next five years, reflecting an increase of $300 million over the previous plan
Consumers will request rate recovery of these proposed expenditures in future electric rate cases.
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