CMS Energy Corporation - CMS STOCK NEWS

CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) has announced it will present its 2024 year-end results along with business and financial outlook on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. EST. The presentation will be accessible via webcast on the company's website, with an audio replay available approximately three hours after the event and archived for 30 days in the Investor Relations section.

CMS Energy is a Michigan-based energy company whose primary business is Consumers Energy, and it also operates independent power generation businesses.

Consumers Energy reported significant improvements in power reliability for its nearly 2 million customers in 2024. The company achieved a 21-minute reduction in average customer power outage duration compared to 2023, with over 93% of customers seeing power restored within 24 hours, up from 87% in 2023.

The average customer experienced 155 minutes without power in normal weather conditions in 2024, down from 176 minutes in 2023, marking a 12% improvement - the largest in the past decade. The company implemented over 1,350 major upgrades and cleared trees along 7,000 miles of electric lines as part of its Reliability Roadmap initiative.

The company's long-term goals include limiting major storm outages to no more than 100,000 customers and restoring all power within 24 hours. Improvements included new technology deployment, infrared cameras, durable iron poles, and robotic assistance.

Ashcor USA Inc., a subsidiary of Ashcor Technologies , and Consumers Energy have announced a project to extract and repurpose millions of tons of coal ash from the J.H. Campbell Generating Complex in Michigan, which is set to retire in May 2025.

This project, a first for Michigan, will transform stored coal ash into a high-grade cement substitute using Ashcor's patented Reclaimed Ash Management (RAM™) technology. The project aims to reduce global CO2 emissions by repurposing coal ash, which can replace up to 30% of traditional Portland cement.

The J.H. Campbell complex, capable of generating 1,500 megawatts of electricity, has been operational since the 1960s. The ash removal and processing operations are expected to begin by January 1, 2027, and will continue for about two decades.

This venture marks Ashcor's first coal ash harvesting project in the U.S., highlighting the company's expansion strategy and commitment to sustainable solutions. The RAM™ facility will be tailored to meet the market demands of the Great Lakes area, enhancing Ashcor's presence in the U.S. market.

Consumers Energy and Boyne Resorts have announced a significant partnership to power Boyne Mountain Resort and Bay Harbor Golf Club with clean energy through their Renewable Energy Program. Starting in 2028, the facilities will source renewable energy from new Michigan-based wind and solar projects, supporting Boyne Resorts' 'ForeverProject' commitment to achieve 100% clean electricity and Net Zero by 2030.

The partnership complements Boyne Mountain's existing clean electricity initiatives, including a solar farm and hydroelectric facility. Through this program, Boyne joins nearly 50 other businesses that have collectively committed to almost 700 megawatts of emission-free renewable energy, equivalent to powering 85,000 homes annually and reducing emissions comparable to removing 141,000 cars from the road.

Consumers Energy's Clean Energy Plan aims to eliminate coal by 2025, achieve net-zero carbon emissions, and meet 90% of customers' energy needs through clean sources.

Consumers Energy is completing 1,350 major projects in 2024 as part of its Reliability Roadmap initiative, investing $63.5 million within a broader $1 billion grid strengthening program. Key achievements include inspecting 25,800 miles of overhead power lines, clearing vegetation from 7,000 miles of lines, and preventing outages for 177,000 customers through helicopter inspections. The company installed 100 new automatic transfer reclosers and buried 10 miles of overhead lines, with plans to extend underground lines by 35 miles in 2025.

The initiative aims to enhance grid reliability for nearly 2 million homes and businesses, with a goal of restoring power in all situations within 24 hours. The company serves 6.8 million residents across Michigan's Lower Peninsula counties with electricity and natural gas services.

Consumers Energy has announced plans to modernize its natural gas system serving over 1.8 million Michigan homes and businesses. The company will replace up to 10,000 vintage service lines and install remote control valves on major pipelines. The upgrade plan includes modernizing gas delivery hubs and pressure regulation facilities within the next decade.

The company has filed a $248 million natural gas rate request with the Michigan Public Service Commission, with potential impact on customer bills starting late 2025. The recently completed Mid-Michigan Pipeline has upgraded hundreds of miles of transmission pipeline system. The modernization project aims to enhance safety, reliability, and environmental sustainability while maintaining costs at less than $3 per day for typical households.

Consumers Energy has announced energy-saving strategies to help Michigan customers manage winter heating costs. The company highlights that home heating accounts for approximately 30% of customers' energy bills, with water heaters contributing nearly 15%. Installing a programmable smart thermostat can save up to 20% on heating costs, with customers typically saving 1-3% for each degree reduction.

Key recommendations include regular heating system maintenance, sealing drafts, utilizing ceiling fans effectively, and optimizing water heater settings to 120 degrees. The company also reminds customers that assistance is available through their 2-1-1 service for those needing help with energy bills. Consumers Energy serves 6.8 million residents across Michigan's Lower Peninsula counties.

Consumers Energy has successfully prevented over 72,000 power outages in 2024 through the implementation of smart technology called automatic transfer reclosers (ATRs). These devices, functioning like traffic lights, automatically detect and limit power outages, saving customers more than 350,000 hours of potential outage time. The company has deployed nearly 550 ATRs across Michigan and plans to install over 100 more this year as part of its Reliability Roadmap. The initiative aims to limit storm-related outages to 100,000 customers and restore power within 24 hours.

Consumers Energy is urging Michigan residents to be vigilant against utility scams, particularly during the holiday season and Utility Scam Awareness Day. The company's VP of IT and security, Jim Beechey, emphasized the importance of protecting customers from fraud across various channels. The warning comes after an incident where criminals posing as utility workers committed a homicide in Rochester Hills. Consumers Energy, serving 6.8 million Michigan residents, provided several safety tips including: verifying employee identification badges, calling their security command center to confirm worker identity, and being aware that legitimate employees don't demand immediate payment or threaten immediate shut-offs.