CMS ENERGY CORP

Previous wording

Michigan law allows electric customers in Consumers’ service territory to buy electric generation service from alternative electric suppliers in an aggregate amount capped at ten percent of Consumers’ sales, with certain exceptions. The proportion of Consumers’ electric deliveries under the ROA program and on the ROA waiting list is over ten percent. Consumers’ rates are regulated by the MPSC, while alternative electric suppliers charge market-based rates, putting competitive pressure on Consumers’ electric supply. Groups are advocating for an ROA-like community solar system that allows third parties to sell directly to customers and offer them a regulated bill credit. If the ROA limit were increased, this new ROA-like community solar system were allowed, or electric generation service in Michigan were deregulated, it could have a material adverse effect on CMS Energy and Consumers.

Current wording

Michigan law allows electric customers in Consumers’ service territory to buy electric generation service from alternative electric suppliers in an aggregate amount capped at 10 percent of Consumers’ sales, with certain exceptions. The proportion of Consumers’ electric deliveries under the ROA program and on the ROA waiting list is over 10 percent. Consumers’ rates are regulated by the MPSC, while alternative electric suppliers charge market-based rates, putting competitive pressure on Consumers’ electric supply. Groups are advocating for an ROA-like community solar program that allows third parties to sell directly to customers and offer them a regulated bill credit. If the amount of ROA sales increased, this new ROA‑like community solar program were allowed, or electric generation service in Michigan were further deregulated, it could have a material adverse effect on CMS Energy and Consumers.

Previous wording

Michigan law allows customers to use distributed energy resources for their electric energy needs. These distributed energy resources are connected to Consumers’ electric grid. The 2023 Energy Law increases the cap on distributed generation to ten percent of utilities’ peak loads. It also specifies an inflow and outflow rate method that must be implemented by the MPSC and provides federal funding for low-income distributed generation. FERC policy allows many customer-owned behind-the-meter and grid-connected distributed energy resources to participate in and receive revenue from wholesale electricity markets, as governed by evolving wholesale market rules subject to FERC oversight. Increased customer use of distributed energy resources could result in a reduction of Consumers’ electric sales. Third parties’ operations of distributed energy resources could also potentially have a negative impact on the stability of the grid. An increase in customers’ use of distributed energy resources, and the rate structure for distributed energy resources customers’ use of Consumers’ system and Consumers’ purchases of their excess generation, could have a material adverse effect on CMS Energy and Consumers.

Current wording

Michigan law allows customers to use distributed energy resources for their electric energy needs. These distributed energy resources are connected to Consumers’ electric grid. The 2023 Energy Law increases the cap on Consumers’ distributed generation program to 10 percent of utilities’ peak loads. It also specifies an inflow and outflow rate method that must be implemented by the MPSC. FERC policy allows many customer-owned behind-the-meter and grid-connected distributed energy resources to participate in and receive revenue from wholesale electricity markets, as governed by evolving wholesale market rules subject to FERC oversight. Increased customer use of distributed energy resources could result in a reduction of Consumers’ electric sales. Third parties’ operations of distributed energy resources could also potentially have a negative impact on the stability of the grid. An increase in customers’ use of distributed energy resources, and the rate structure for distributed energy resources customers’ use of Consumers’ system and Consumers’ purchases of their excess generation, could have a material adverse effect on CMS Energy and Consumers.

Previous wording

Orders of the MPSC could limit recovery of costs of providing service. These orders could also result in adverse regulatory treatment of other matters. For example, MPSC orders could prevent or curtail Consumers from shutting off non‑paying customers, could prevent or limit the implementation of an electric or gas revenue mechanism, or could penalize Consumers for not meeting service and reliability standards. Regulators could face competitive or political pressures to avoid or limit rate increases for a number of reasons, including economic downturn in the state, reliability and economic justice concerns, or decreased customer base, among others.

Current wording

Orders of the MPSC could limit recovery of costs of providing service. These orders could also result in adverse regulatory treatment of other matters. For example, MPSC orders could prevent or curtail Consumers from shutting off non‑paying customers, could prevent or limit the implementation of an electric or gas revenue mechanism, or could penalize Consumers for not meeting service and reliability standards. Regulators could face competitive or political pressures to avoid or limit rate increases for a number of reasons, including affordability concerns, economic downturn, reliability and economic justice concerns, or decreased customer base, among others.

Previous wording

Utility regulation, state or federal legislation, and compliance could have a material adverse effect on CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ businesses.

Current wording

Utility regulation, state or federal legislation, regulation, and compliance could have a material adverse effect on CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ businesses.

Previous wording

CMS Energy and certain of its subsidiaries, including Consumers, are subject to, or affected by, extensive utility regulation and state and federal legislation, including through application of policies and rules of numerous state and federal agencies and governmental entities. If it were determined that CMS Energy or Consumers failed to comply with applicable laws and regulations or with applicable tariff provisions, they could become subject to fines, penalties, refund or disgorgement orders, or disallowed costs, or be required to implement additional compliance, cleanup, or remediation programs, the cost of which could be material. CMS Energy and Consumers cannot predict the impact of new laws, rules, regulations, tariffs, principles, or practices by federal or state agencies or wholesale electricity market operators, or challenges or changes to present laws, rules, regulations, tariffs, principles, or practices and the interpretation of any adoption or change. Furthermore, any state or federal legislation concerning CMS Energy’s or Consumers’ operations could also have a material adverse effect.

Current wording

CMS Energy and certain of its subsidiaries, including Consumers, are subject to, or affected by, extensive utility regulation and state and federal legislation and regulation, including through application of policies and rules of numerous state and federal agencies and governmental entities. If it were determined that CMS Energy or Consumers failed to comply with applicable laws and regulations or with applicable tariff provisions, they could become subject to fines, penalties, refund or disgorgement orders, or disallowed costs, or be required to implement additional compliance, cleanup, or remediation programs, the cost of which could be material. CMS Energy and Consumers cannot predict the impact of new laws, rules, regulations, tariffs, principles, orders, or practices by federal or state agencies or wholesale electricity market operators, or challenges or changes to present laws, rules, regulations, tariffs, principles, orders, or practices and the interpretation of any adoption or change. Furthermore, any state or federal legislation, regulation, order, or other action concerning CMS Energy’s or Consumers’ operations could also have a material adverse effect.

Previous wording

FERC, through NERC and its delegated regional entities, oversees reliability of certain portions of the electric grid. CMS Energy and Consumers cannot predict the impact of FERC orders or actions of NERC and its regional entities on electric system reliability. Additionally, natural gas pipeline infrastructure has recently been under scrutiny following disruptions related to extreme weather and cyber incidents. Additional regulation in this area could adversely affect Consumers’ gas operations.

Current wording

FERC, through NERC and its delegated regional entities, oversees reliability of certain portions of the electric grid. CMS Energy and Consumers cannot predict the impact of the DOE or FERC orders or actions of NERC and its regional entities on electric system reliability. Additionally, natural gas pipeline infrastructure has recently been under scrutiny following disruptions related to extreme weather and cyber incidents. Additional regulation in this area could adversely affect Consumers’ gas operations.

Previous wording

Consumers has announced a long-term strategy for delivering clean, reliable, resilient, and affordable energy, including a plan to end the use of coal in owned generation in 2025, and other subsidiaries of CMS Energy have plans to develop and operate clean energy assets. The MPSC, FERC, other regulatory authorities, or other third parties may prohibit, delay, or impair some or all of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ planned acquisitions or development of owned or purchased electric generation and storage capacity. Consumers’ planned electric generation capacity, including renewable generation or storage projects, may be adversely impacted by interconnection delays at MISO or in the footprints of other regional transmission organizations, and/or by interconnection costs. CMS Energy and Consumers and its contractors may be unable to acquire, site, construct timely, and/or permit generation and storage capacity, including some or all of the generation and storage capacity proposed in Consumers’ plan. CMS Energy and Consumers’ ability to implement their plans may be affected by environmental regulations, global supply chain disruptions, import tariffs, and changes in the cost, availability, and supply of generation and storage capacity. While CMS Energy and Consumers continue to advocate for advances in commercially available technologies required to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gases on a cost-effective basis at scale, such advances are largely outside of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ control. Advancements in technology related to items such as battery storage, carbon capture/storage, and electric vehicles may not become commercially available or economically feasible as projected. Customer programs such as energy efficiency and demand response may not realize the projected levels of customer participation.

Current wording

Consumers has announced a long-term strategy for delivering clean, reliable, resilient, and affordable energy, and other subsidiaries of CMS Energy have plans to develop and operate clean energy assets. The MPSC, FERC, other regulatory authorities, or other third parties may prohibit, delay, or impair some or all of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ planned acquisitions or development of owned or purchased electric generation and storage capacity. Consumers’ planned electric generation capacity, including renewable generation or storage projects, may be adversely impacted by interconnection delays at MISO or in the footprints of other regional transmission organizations, and/or by interconnection costs. CMS Energy and Consumers and its contractors may be unable to acquire, site, construct timely, and/or permit generation and storage capacity, including some or all of the generation and storage capacity proposed in Consumers’ plan. CMS Energy and Consumers’ ability to implement their plans may be affected by environmental regulations, global supply chain disruptions, import tariffs, and changes in the cost, availability, and supply of generation and storage capacity. While CMS Energy and Consumers continue to advocate for advances in commercially available technologies required to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gases on a cost-effective basis at scale, such advances are largely outside of CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ control. Advancements in technology related to items such as battery storage, carbon capture/storage, and electric vehicles may not become commercially available or economically feasible as projected. Customer programs such as energy efficiency and demand response may not realize the projected levels of customer participation.

Previous wording

Consumers has also announced its Reliability Roadmap. The Reliability Roadmap includes larger investments in grid hardening, distribution capacity, and automation to deliver better than median reliability to customers given increasingly severe weather and customer adoption of new technologies. The MPSC or other third parties may prohibit, delay, or impair the Reliability Roadmap and some or all of the associated capital investments. Consumers’ ability to implement its plan may be affected by global supply chain disruptions and/or workforce availability.

Current wording

Consumers has also announced its electric Reliability Roadmap. The Reliability Roadmap includes larger investments in grid hardening, distribution capacity, and automation to deliver better than median reliability to customers given increasingly severe weather and customer adoption of new technologies. The MPSC or other third parties may prohibit, delay, or impair the Reliability Roadmap and some or all of the associated capital investments. Consumers’ ability to implement its plan may be affected by global supply chain disruptions and/or workforce availability.

Previous wording

CMS Energy and Consumers are required to make judgments regarding the potential tax effects of various financial transactions and results of operations in order to estimate their obligations to taxing authorities. The tax obligations include income taxes, real estate taxes, sales and use taxes, employment-related taxes, and ongoing issues related to these tax matters. The judgments include determining reserves for potential adverse outcomes regarding tax positions that have been taken and may be subject to challenge by the IRS and/or other taxing authorities. Unfavorable settlements of any of the issues related to these reserves or other tax matters at CMS Energy or Consumers could have a material adverse effect. Additionally, changes in federal, state, or local tax rates or other changes in tax laws could have adverse impacts. The change in administration and the expiring tax cuts in the TCJA could result in changes to the renewable energy tax credits enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. These changes could impact CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ clean energy efforts.

Current wording

CMS Energy and Consumers are required to make judgments regarding the potential tax effects of various financial transactions and results of operations in order to estimate their obligations to taxing authorities. The tax obligations include income taxes, real estate taxes, sales and use taxes, employment-related taxes, and ongoing issues related to these tax matters. The judgments include determining reserves for potential adverse outcomes regarding tax positions that have been taken and may be subject to challenge by the IRS and/or other taxing authorities. Unfavorable settlements of any of the issues related to these reserves or other tax matters at CMS Energy or Consumers could have a material adverse effect. Additionally, changes in federal, state, or local tax rates or other changes in tax laws could have adverse impacts. In July 2025, President Trump signed the OBBBA into law. CMS Energy and Consumers evaluated the provisions of the OBBBA and concluded that the legislation is not expected to have a material impact on their respective financial statements. This conclusion is subject to change as additional guidance or interpretations become available.

Previous wording

CMS Energy and Consumers have interests in fossil-fuel-fired power plants, other types of power plants, and natural gas systems that emit greenhouse gases. Federal, state, and local environmental laws and rules, as well as international accords and treaties, could require CMS Energy and Consumers to install additional equipment for emission controls, undertake heat-rate improvement projects, purchase carbon emissions allowances, curtail operations, invest in generating capacity with fewer carbon dioxide emissions, or take other significant steps to manage or lower the emission of greenhouse gases. Similarly, Consumers could be restricted from constructing natural gas infrastructure due to potential environmental regulations, which could require more costly alternatives.

Current wording

CMS Energy and Consumers have interests in fossil-fuel-fired power plants, other types of power plants, and natural gas systems that emit greenhouse gases. Federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations and orders, as well as international accords and treaties, could require CMS Energy and Consumers to install additional equipment for emission controls, undertake heat-rate improvement projects, purchase carbon emissions allowances, curtail or extend operations, invest in generating capacity with fewer carbon dioxide emissions, or take other significant steps to manage or lower the emission of greenhouse gases. Similarly, Consumers could be restricted from constructing natural gas infrastructure due to potential environmental regulations, which could require more costly alternatives.

Previous wording

•impairment of CMS Energy’s or Consumers’ reputation due to their greenhouse gas or other emissions and public perception of their response to potential environmental regulations, rules, and legislation

Current wording

•impairment of CMS Energy’s or Consumers’ reputation due to their greenhouse gas or other emissions and public perception of their response to potential environmental regulations, rules, orders, and legislation

Previous wording

Consumers expects to collect fully from its customers, through the ratemaking process, expenditures incurred to comply with environmental regulations, but cannot guarantee this outcome. If Consumers were unable to recover these expenditures from customers in rates, CMS Energy or Consumers could be required to seek significant additional financing to fund these expenditures.

Current wording

Consumers expects to collect fully from its customers, through the ratemaking process, expenditures incurred to comply with environmental regulations, but cannot guarantee this outcome. There is not currently a FERC-approved MISO Tariff for recovery of compliance costs associated with the continued operation of J.H. Campbell, and continued operation of J.H. Campbell is not contemplated in Consumers’ current MPSC rates or rate filings at the MPSC. Consumers is pursuing cost recovery at FERC but cannot predict the outcome of those efforts or the impact of other executive actions. If Consumers were unable to recover these expenditures from customers in rates, CMS Energy or Consumers could be required to seek significant additional financing to fund these expenditures.

Previous wording

Consumers expects to incur additional substantial costs related to the remediation of its former MGP sites and other response activity costs at a number of other former sites, including, but not limited to, sites of retired coal-fueled electric generating units and sites containing coal ash and related materials, under

Current wording

Consumers expects to incur additional substantial costs related to the remediation of its former MGP sites and other response activity costs at a number of other former sites, including, but not limited to, sites of retired coal-fueled electric generating units and sites containing coal ash and related materials, under NREPA, RCRA, CERCLA and related state and federal regulations. Consumers believes these costs should be recoverable in rates but cannot guarantee that outcome.

Previous wording

Alternatively, this rapid expansion of data centers and resulting increase in demand for electric power in MISO and in Consumers’ service territory may not develop as planned.

Current wording

Alternatively, this rapid expansion of data centers and resulting increase in demand for electric power in MISO and in Consumers’ service territory may not develop as anticipated. Efforts to attract data center developers could be unsuccessful as other utilities and regions compete for these projects, which may limit future load growth. In addition, local zoning, permitting, land‑use constraints, and other external factors outside Consumers’ control could impede data center development. If these challenges arise and cannot be effectively mitigated, the anticipated benefits of data center load growth may not materialize. Further, even when data center customers enter into contracts to purchase utility service, there is a risk they may not fulfill their contractual or tariff obligations.

Previous wording

A variety of technological tools and systems, including both company-owned information technology and technological services provided by outside parties, support critical functions. The failure of these technologies, including backup systems, or the inability of CMS Energy and Consumers to have these technologies supported, updated, expanded, or integrated into other technologies, could hinder their business operations.

Current wording

A variety of technological tools and systems, including both company-owned IT and technological services provided by outside parties, support critical functions. The failure of these technologies, including backup systems, or the inability of CMS Energy and Consumers to have these technologies supported, updated, expanded, or integrated into other technologies, could hinder their business operations.

Previous wording

Natural disasters, severe weather, extreme temperatures, fires, smoke, flooding, wars, terrorist acts, civil unrest, vandalism, theft, cyber incidents, pandemics, and other catastrophic events could result in severe damage to CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ assets beyond what could be recovered through insurance policies (which are subject to deductibles, limitations, and self-insurance amounts that could be material), could require CMS Energy and Consumers to incur significant upfront costs, and could severely disrupt operations, resulting in loss of service to customers. There is also a risk that regulators could, after the fact, conclude that Consumers’ preparedness or response to such an event was inadequate and take adverse actions as a result.

Current wording

Natural disasters, severe weather, extreme temperatures, wildfires, fires, smoke, flooding, wars, terrorist acts, civil unrest, vandalism, theft, cyber incidents, government shutdowns, pandemics, and other catastrophic events could result in severe damage to CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ assets beyond what could be recovered through insurance policies (which are subject to deductibles, limitations, and self‑insurance amounts that could be material), could require CMS Energy and Consumers to incur significant upfront costs, and could severely disrupt operations, resulting in loss of service to customers. There is also a risk that regulators could, after the fact, conclude that Consumers’ preparedness or response to such an event was inadequate and take adverse actions as a result.

Previous wording

CMS Energy and Consumers are exposed to changes in market prices for commodities including, but not limited to, natural gas, coal, electric capacity, electric energy, emission allowances, gasoline, diesel fuel, and RECs. CMS Energy and Consumers manage commodity price risk using established policies and procedures, and they may use various contracts to manage this risk, including swaps, options, futures, and forward contracts. No assurance can be made that these strategies will be successful in managing

Current wording

CMS Energy and Consumers are exposed to changes in market prices for commodities including, but not limited to, natural gas, coal, electric capacity, electric energy, emission allowances, gasoline, diesel fuel, and RECs. CMS Energy and Consumers manage commodity price risk using established policies and procedures, and they may use various contracts to manage this risk, including swaps, options, futures, and forward contracts. No assurance can be made that these strategies will be successful in managing CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ risk or that they will not result in net liabilities to CMS Energy or Consumers as a result of future volatility.

Previous wording

Adverse economic conditions or financial difficulties experienced by counterparties with whom CMS Energy and Consumers do business could impair the ability of these counterparties to pay for CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ services and/or fulfill their contractual obligations, including performance and payment of damages. CMS Energy and Consumers depend on these counterparties to remit payments and perform contracted services in a timely and adequate fashion. In addition, any delay or default in payment or performance, including inadequate performance, of contractual obligations (such as contractual obligations by third parties to perform work, supply equipment, provide services, and meet related specifications or requirements), could have a material adverse effect on CMS Energy and Consumers.

Current wording

Adverse economic conditions or financial difficulties experienced by counterparties with whom CMS Energy and Consumers do business could impair the ability of these counterparties to pay for CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ services and/or fulfill their contractual obligations, including performance and payment of damages. CMS Energy and Consumers depend on these counterparties to remit payments and perform contracted services in a timely and adequate fashion. In addition, any delay or default in payment or performance, including inadequate performance, of contractual obligations (such as contractual obligations by third parties to purchase utility services, perform work, supply equipment, provide services, and meet related specifications or requirements), could have a material adverse effect on CMS Energy and Consumers.

Previous wording

A work interruption or other union actions could adversely affect Consumers.

Current wording

A work interruption or other union actions could adversely affect CMS Energy and Consumers.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2024, unions represent 46 percent of Consumers’ employees. Consumers’ union agreements expire in 2025. If these employees were to engage in a strike, work stoppage, or other slowdown, Consumers could experience a significant disruption in its operations and higher ongoing labor costs.

Current wording

At December 31, 2025, unions represent 45 percent of Consumers’ employees and 22 percent of NorthStar Clean Energy’s employees. Consumers’ union agreements expire in 2030 and the majority of NorthStar Clean Energy’s represented employees have an agreement that expires in 2029. If these employees were to engage in a strike, work stoppage, or other slowdown, CMS Energy or Consumers could experience a significant disruption in its operations and higher ongoing labor costs.