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CMS ENERGY CORP 8-K Report, Acquisition Completed (Dec 21, 2007)

Filed December 21, 2007For Securities:CMSCMS-PCCMSACMSCCMSD

Summary

CMS Energy Corporation, through its subsidiary Consumers Energy Company, announced the completion of its acquisition of Zeeland Power Company, L.L.C. on December 21, 2007. This acquisition includes the 946-megawatt gas-fired Zeeland Generating Plant in Michigan, purchased for a base price of $517 million from an affiliate of LS Power Group. The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has deemed the acquisition of the Zeeland Generating Plant reasonable and prudent, allowing Consumers Energy to recover associated costs through future retail rate increases. The MPSC approved an annual retail rate increase of $69.5 million to cover these costs. However, the commission denied the company's request for interim rate relief and deferred final rate decisions to a later date.

Key Highlights

  • 1Consumers Energy Company acquired 100% of Zeeland Power Company, L.L.C. for a base purchase price of $517 million.
  • 2The acquired asset is the 946-megawatt gas-fired Zeeland Generating Plant located in Zeeland, Michigan.
  • 3The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) found the acquisition to be reasonable and prudent.
  • 4Consumers Energy is permitted to recover costs associated with the Zeeland Generating Plant through future retail rates.
  • 5An annual retail rate increase of $69.5 million has been approved by the MPSC to recover plant-related costs.
  • 6The MPSC denied Consumers Energy's request for interim rate relief.
  • 7Several issues, including final rate relief, have been deferred by the MPSC to a later phase of the case.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main event is the completion of Consumers Energy Company's acquisition of Zeeland Power Company, L.L.C., which owns a 946-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Michigan.

The base purchase price for the Zeeland Generating Plant was $517 million.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved the acquisition as reasonable and prudent and authorized Consumers Energy to recover associated costs through retail rates. An annual rate increase of $69.5 million was permitted, but interim relief was denied and final decisions on some matters are pending.

While the MPSC has approved an annual rate increase of $69.5 million to recover costs, they denied the request for interim rate relief. Therefore, immediate rate increases may not take effect, and final rate decisions are still to be determined.