XML 77 R56.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Regulatory Matters (Schedule Of The Components Of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory assets, current $ 89us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent $ 40us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
Regulatory assets, noncurrent 1,956us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent 1,530us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
Regulatory liabilities 67us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent 67us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent
Regulatory liabilities, noncurrent 2,095us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent 2,215us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory assets, current 89us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
[1] 40us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
[1]
Regulatory assets, noncurrent 1,956us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
1,530us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
Total regulatory asset 2,045us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
1,570us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
Regulatory liabilities 67us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
67us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
Regulatory liabilities, noncurrent 2,095us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
2,215us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
Total regulatory liabilities 2,162us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
2,282us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
Cost Of Removal [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory liabilities, noncurrent 1,673us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_RemovalCostsMember
1,599us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_RemovalCostsMember
Renewable Energy Plan [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Noncurrent Regulatory Liability, Recovery End Date 2028  
Regulatory liabilities, noncurrent 131us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_RenewableEnergyProgramMember
159us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_RenewableEnergyProgramMember
Income Taxes, Net [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Current Regulatory Liability Recovery End Date 2015  
Regulatory liabilities 64us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember
64us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember
Regulatory liabilities, noncurrent 103us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember
157us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember
ARO [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory liabilities, noncurrent 83us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember
93us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember
Renewable Energy Grant [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Current Regulatory Liability Recovery End Date 2015  
Noncurrent Regulatory Liability, Recovery End Date 2043  
Regulatory liabilities 2us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= cms_RenewableEnergyGrantMember
2us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= cms_RenewableEnergyGrantMember
Regulatory liabilities, noncurrent 63us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= cms_RenewableEnergyGrantMember
65us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= cms_RenewableEnergyGrantMember
Energy Optimization Plan [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory liabilities, noncurrent 32us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= cms_EnergyOptimizationPlanMember
31us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= cms_EnergyOptimizationPlanMember
Postretirement Benefits [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory liabilities, noncurrent   98us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_PostretirementBenefitCostsMember
Other Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Current Regulatory Liability Recovery End Date 2015  
Regulatory liabilities 1us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember
1us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember
Regulatory liabilities, noncurrent 10us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember
13us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember
Postretirement Benefits [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory assets, noncurrent 1,195us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_PostretirementBenefitCostsMember
[1],[2] 634us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_PostretirementBenefitCostsMember
[1],[2]
Other Securitized Costs [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory Current Asset, End Date for Recovery 2015  
Noncurrent Regulatory Asset Recovery End Date 2015  
Regulatory assets, current 61us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_SecuritizedCostsMember
 
Regulatory assets, noncurrent   129us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_SecuritizedCostsMember
Costs Of Electric Generating Units To Be Retired And Securitized [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Noncurrent Regulatory Asset Recovery End Date 2029 [3],[4]  
Regulatory assets, noncurrent 370us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_CostsOfElectricGeneratingUnitsToBeRetiredAndSecuritizedMember
[3],[4] 362us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_CostsOfElectricGeneratingUnitsToBeRetiredAndSecuritizedMember
[3],[4]
Manufactured Gas Plant [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory assets, noncurrent 147us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_ManufacturedGasPlantMember
[2] 148us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_ManufacturedGasPlantMember
[2]
ARO [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory assets, noncurrent 139us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember
[2] 129us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember
[2]
Unamortized Debt Costs [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory assets, noncurrent 66us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_LossOnReacquiredDebtMember
[2] 74us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_LossOnReacquiredDebtMember
[2]
Gas Storage Inventory Adjustments [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory assets, noncurrent 21us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_GasStorageInventoryAdjustmentsMember
23us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_GasStorageInventoryAdjustmentsMember
Energy Optimization Plan Incentive [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory Current Asset, End Date for Recovery 2015  
Noncurrent Regulatory Asset Recovery End Date 2016 [4]  
Regulatory assets, current 17us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_EnergyOptimizationPlanIncentiveMember
17us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_EnergyOptimizationPlanIncentiveMember
Regulatory assets, noncurrent 17us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_EnergyOptimizationPlanIncentiveMember
[4] 18us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_EnergyOptimizationPlanIncentiveMember
[4]
Major Maintenance [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory Current Asset, End Date for Recovery 2015 [4]  
Noncurrent Regulatory Asset Recovery End Date 2015  
Regulatory assets, current 8us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_MajorMaintenanceMember
[4]  
Regulatory assets, noncurrent   10us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_MajorMaintenanceMember
Cancelled Coal-Fueled Plant Costs [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory Current Asset, End Date for Recovery 2015 [3],[4]  
Regulatory assets, current 2us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_CancelledCoalFueledPlantCostsMember
[3],[4] 5us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_CancelledCoalFueledPlantCostsMember
[3],[4]
Gas Revenue Decoupling Mechanism [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory Current Asset, End Date for Recovery 2014  
Regulatory assets, current   17us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= cms_GasRevenueDecouplingMechanismMember
Other Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Member] | Consumers Energy Company [Member]    
Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Regulatory Current Asset, End Date for Recovery 2015  
Regulatory assets, current 1us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember
1us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember
Regulatory assets, noncurrent $ 1us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember
[3] $ 3us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= cms_ConsumersEnergyCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember
[3]
[1] This regulatory asset is offset partially by liabilities. The net amount is included in rate base, thereby providing a return.
[2] These regulatory assets represent incurred costs for which the MPSC has provided, or Consumers expects, recovery without a return on investment.
[3] These regulatory assets either are included in rate base (or are expected to be included, for costs incurred subsequent to the most recently approved rate case), thereby providing a return on expenditures, or provide a specific return on investment authorized by the MPSC.
[4] These regulatory assets have arisen from alternative revenue programs and are not associated with incurred costs or capital investments. Therefore, the MPSC has provided for recovery without a return