General Offices: LEGAL DEPARTMENT One Energy Plaza Tel: (517) 788-0550 SHAUN M. JOHNSON Robert W. Beach Jackson, MI 49201 Fax: (517) 768-3644 Senior Vice President Ian F. Burgess and General Counsel Don A. D’Amato *Washington Office: Teri L. Dennings 1730 Rhode Island Ave. N.W. Tel: (202) 778-3340 MELISSA M. GLEESPEN Gary A. Gensch, Jr. Suite 1007 Vice President, Corporate Matthew D. Hall Washington, DC 20036 Fax: (202) 778-3355 Secretary and Chief Georgine R. Hyden Compliance Officer Katie M. Knue Writer’s Direct Dial Number: (517) 788-2194 Robert F. Marvin Writer’s E-mail Address: [email protected] KELLY M. HALL Jason M. Milstone Vice President and Deputy Rhonda M. Morris June 30, 2021 General Counsel Deborah A. Moss* Maxwell K. Multer Emerson J. Hilton Chantez L. Pattman Adam C. Smith Michael C. Rampe Bret A. Totoraitis Scott J. Sinkwitts Assistant General Counsel Theresa A.G. Staley Janae M. Thayer Anne M. Uitvlugt Ms. Lisa Felice Aaron L. Vorce Executive Secretary Attorney Michigan Public Service Commission 7109 West Saginaw Highway Post Office Box 30221 Lansing, MI 48909 Re: MPSC Case No. U-20147 – In the matter, on the Commission’s own motion, to open a docket for certain regulated electric utilities to file their five-year distribution investment and maintenance plans and for other related, uncontested matters. Dear Ms. Felice: Enclosed for electronic filing in the above-captioned proceeding, please find Consumers Energy Company’s Final Electric Distribution Infrastructure Investment Plan (“EDIIP”) 2021-25. Consumers Energy files this Final EDIIP 2021-2025 in accordance with the Commission’s August 20, 2020 Order in this case, which required the Company to file its initial draft plan by August 1, 2021, and to file its final plan by September 30, 2021. Consumers Energy filed its initial draft EDIIP on April 30, 2021. The Company is filing this final EDIIP today to coincide with the filing of its Integrated Resources Plan in Case No. U-21090. In filing its Final EDIIP today, the Company maintains the same number of days between the initial and final filings as set forth in the Commission’s August 20 Order. This is a paperless filing and is therefore being filed only in PDF. Sincerely, Michael C. Rampe CONSUMERS ENERGY ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PLAN Electric Distribution Infrastructure Investment Plan (2021‐25) June 30, 2021 Page | 1 CONSUMERS ENERGY ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PLAN I. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... 4 Framing ................................................................................................................................................. 7 A. Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 7 B. Metrics .............................................................................................................................................. 9 C. Description of System ..................................................................................................................... 22 D. Recent System Performance ........................................................................................................... 32 III. Strategic Issues .................................................................................................................................... 47 A. Approaches to Prioritization ........................................................................................................... 47 B. Evolution of Metro System Strategy ............................................................................................... 58 C. Evolution of Streetlighting Strategy ................................................................................................ 61 IV. Grid Modernization and Longer‐Term View ................................................................................... 67 A. The Future Energy System and the Grid System Orchestrator ....................................................... 67 B. Recent Grid Modernization Achievements ..................................................................................... 73 C. Forward‐Looking Grid Modernization Roadmap and BCA .............................................................. 75 D. Grid Modernization Roadmap BCA ................................................................................................. 82 V. IRP Alignment and Integrated Planning .......................................................................................... 93 A. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 93 B. Load Forecasting ............................................................................................................................. 94 C. DER Planning ................................................................................................................................... 96 D. Battery Storage ............................................................................................................................... 98 E. Electric Vehicles .............................................................................................................................. 99 Emerging Topics ............................................................................................................................ 100 A. Non‐Wires Solutions ..................................................................................................................... 100 B. Hosting Capacity Analysis ............................................................................................................. 113 Five‐Year Distribution Spending Plan – Capital ............................................................................. 121 A. Intro to Capital Section ................................................................................................................. 121 B. New Business Program ................................................................................................................. 125 C. Demand Failures Program ............................................................................................................ 135 D. Asset Relocations Program ........................................................................................................... 155 E. Reliability Program ........................................................................................................................ 166 F. Capacity Program .......................................................................................................................... 232 G. Electric “Other” Program .............................................................................................................. 247 Page | 2 CONSUMERS ENERGY ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PLAN Five‐Year Distribution Spending Plan – O&M ............................................................................... 252 A. Intro to O&M ................................................................................................................................. 252 B. Forestry ......................................................................................................................................... 253 C. Service Restoration ....................................................................................................................... 263 D. Other O&M ................................................................................................................................... 271 Distribution Spending Plan – Implementation Considerations..................................................... 284 A. Workforce Adequacy .................................................................................................................... 284 B. Digital Plan .................................................................................................................................... 287 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 291 Appendices ................................................................................................................................................ 293 Page | 3 CONSUMERS ENERGY ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PLAN I. Executive Summary Consumers Energy Company (“Consumers Energy” or “the Company”) is driven by its purpose to achieve world‐class performance delivering hometown service, measured by a triple bottom line – people, the planet, and Michigan’s prosperity. The triple bottom line balances the interests of customers with other stakeholders and captures the broader societal impacts of the Company's activities. The triple bottom line allows the Company to balance the interests of all those who count on it – not at the expense of one another – and is essential to its success now and in the future. People – The Company is committed to its customers, employees, and every Michigan resident. Central to this commitment is providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric service. The Company’s commitment to people also means providing customers with a great customer experience – what employees at Consumers Energy refer to as providing