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Contingencies and Commitments (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022
Site Contingency [Line Items]  
Expected Remediation Costs By Year CMS Energy expects to pay the following amounts for long-term leachate disposal and operating and maintenance costs during the remainder of 2022 and in each of the next five years:
In Millions
202220232024202520262027
CMS Energy
Long-term leachate disposal and operating and maintenance costs$$$$$$
Guarantees
Presented in the following table are CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ guarantees at September 30, 2022:
In Millions
Guarantee DescriptionIssue DateExpiration DateMaximum ObligationCarrying Amount
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Indemnity obligations from sale of membership interests in VIEs1
variousindefinite$336 $— 
Indemnity obligations from stock and asset sale agreements2
variousindefinite226 
Guarantee3
2011indefinite30 — 
Consumers
Guarantee3
2011indefinite$30 $— 
1These obligations arose from the sale of membership interests in NWO Holdco and Aviator Wind to tax equity investors. NorthStar Clean Energy provided certain indemnity obligations that protect the tax equity investors against losses incurred as a result of breaches of representations and warranties under the associated limited liability company agreements. These obligations are generally capped at an amount equal to the tax equity investor’s capital contributions plus a specified return, less any distributions and tax benefits it receives, in connection with its membership interest. For any indemnity obligations related to Aviator Wind, NorthStar Clean Energy would recover 49 percent of any amounts paid to the tax equity investor from the other owner of Aviator Wind Equity Holdings. Additionally, Aviator Wind holds insurance coverage that would partially protect against losses incurred as a result of certain failures to qualify for production tax credits. For further details on NorthStar Clean Energy’s ownership interest in NWO Holdco and Aviator Wind, see Note 13, Variable Interest Entities.
2These obligations arose from stock and asset sale agreements under which CMS Energy or a subsidiary of CMS Energy indemnified the purchaser for losses resulting from various matters, including claims related to taxes and breaches of representations and warranties. The maximum obligation amount is mostly related to an Equatorial Guinea tax claim and an indemnity provided in connection with the sale of EnerBank to Regions Bank. For further details on the sale, see Note 14, Exit Activities and Discontinued Operations.
3This obligation comprises a guarantee provided by Consumers to the U.S. Department of Energy in connection with a settlement agreement regarding damages resulting from the department’s failure to accept spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants formerly owned by Consumers.
Consumers Energy Company  
Site Contingency [Line Items]  
Expected Remediation Costs By Year Consumers expects to pay the following amounts for remediation and other response activity costs during the remainder of 2022 and in each of the next five years:
In Millions
202220232024202520262027
Consumers
Remediation and other response activity costs$$$11 $31 $$
Guarantees
Presented in the following table are CMS Energy’s and Consumers’ guarantees at September 30, 2022:
In Millions
Guarantee DescriptionIssue DateExpiration DateMaximum ObligationCarrying Amount
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Indemnity obligations from sale of membership interests in VIEs1
variousindefinite$336 $— 
Indemnity obligations from stock and asset sale agreements2
variousindefinite226 
Guarantee3
2011indefinite30 — 
Consumers
Guarantee3
2011indefinite$30 $— 
1These obligations arose from the sale of membership interests in NWO Holdco and Aviator Wind to tax equity investors. NorthStar Clean Energy provided certain indemnity obligations that protect the tax equity investors against losses incurred as a result of breaches of representations and warranties under the associated limited liability company agreements. These obligations are generally capped at an amount equal to the tax equity investor’s capital contributions plus a specified return, less any distributions and tax benefits it receives, in connection with its membership interest. For any indemnity obligations related to Aviator Wind, NorthStar Clean Energy would recover 49 percent of any amounts paid to the tax equity investor from the other owner of Aviator Wind Equity Holdings. Additionally, Aviator Wind holds insurance coverage that would partially protect against losses incurred as a result of certain failures to qualify for production tax credits. For further details on NorthStar Clean Energy’s ownership interest in NWO Holdco and Aviator Wind, see Note 13, Variable Interest Entities.
2These obligations arose from stock and asset sale agreements under which CMS Energy or a subsidiary of CMS Energy indemnified the purchaser for losses resulting from various matters, including claims related to taxes and breaches of representations and warranties. The maximum obligation amount is mostly related to an Equatorial Guinea tax claim and an indemnity provided in connection with the sale of EnerBank to Regions Bank. For further details on the sale, see Note 14, Exit Activities and Discontinued Operations.
3This obligation comprises a guarantee provided by Consumers to the U.S. Department of Energy in connection with a settlement agreement regarding damages resulting from the department’s failure to accept spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants formerly owned by Consumers.