DTE Energy Co: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2018

The following combined discussion is separately filed by DTE Energy and DTE Electric. However, DTE Electric does not make any representations as to information related solely to DTE Energy or the subsidiaries of DTE Energy other than itself.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

DTE Energy is a diversified energy company and is the parent company of DTE Electric and DTE Gas, regulated electric and natural gas utilities engaged primarily in the business of providing electricity and natural gas sales, distribution, and storage services throughout Michigan. DTE Energy operates three energy-related non-utility segments with operations throughout the United States.

The following table summarizes DTE Energy's financial results:

(In millions, except per share amounts)

The decrease in Net Income in the three months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily due to lower earnings in the Energy Trading and Corporate and Other segments, partially offset by higher earnings in the Electric, Gas Storage and Pipelines, and Power and Industrial Projects segments. The decrease in the first quarter of 2018 was also due to true-up adjustments for the remeasurement of deferred taxes of $21 million. The impact of the true-up adjustments was an increase in Income Tax Expense, of which $16 million was attributable to the regulated utilities and offset to Regulatory liabilities. Total Income Tax Expense decreased from the prior year due to the reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, which became effective in 2018.

Please see detailed explanations of segment performance in the following "Results of Operations" section.

DTE Energy's strategy is to achieve long-term earnings growth, a strong balance sheet, and an attractive dividend yield.

DTE Energy's utilities are investing capital to improve customer reliability through investments in base infrastructure and new generation, and to comply with environmental requirements. DTE Energy expects that planned significant capital investments will result in earnings growth. DTE Energy is focused on executing plans to achieve operational excellence and customer satisfaction with a focus on customer affordability. DTE Energy operates in a constructive regulatory environment and has solid relationships with its regulators.

In May 2017, DTE Energy announced its plan to reduce carbon emissions. This goal will be attained by cutting carbon emissions 30% by the early 2020s, 45% by 2030, 75% by 2040, and more than 80% by 2050. To achieve this reduction, DTE Energy will transition away from coal-powered sources and incorporate more renewable energy, energy efficiency, demand response, and highly-efficient natural gas fueled power plants. DTE Energy has already begun the transition in the way it produces power through the continued retirement of its aging coal-fired plants. Refer to the "Capital Investments" section below for further discussion.

DTE Energy has significant investments in non-utility businesses. DTE Energy employs disciplined investment criteria when assessing growth opportunities that leverage its assets, skills, and expertise, and provides diversity in earnings and geography. Specifically, DTE Energy invests in targeted energy markets with attractive competitive dynamics where meaningful scale is in alignment with its risk profile. DTE Energy expects growth opportunities in the Gas Storage and Pipelines and Power and Industrial Projects segments.

A key priority for DTE Energy is to maintain a strong balance sheet which facilitates access to capital markets and reasonably priced short-term and long-term financing. Near-term growth will be funded through internally generated cash flows and the issuance of debt and equity. DTE Energy has an enterprise risk management program that, among other things, is designed to monitor and manage exposure to earnings and cash flow volatility related to commodity price changes, interest rates, and counterparty credit risk.

CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

DTE Energy's utility businesses require significant capital investments to maintain and improve the electric generation and electric and natural gas distribution infrastructure and to comply with environmental regulations and renewable energy requirements.

DTE Electric's capital investments over the 2018-2022 period are estimated at $10.4 billion comprised of $4.1 billion for capital replacements and other projects, $4.3 billion for distribution infrastructure, and $2.0 billion for new generation. DTE Electric has retired four coal-fired generation units at the Trenton Channel, River Rouge, and St. Clair facilities and has announced plans to retire its remaining thirteen coal-fired generating units. Seven of these coal-fired generating units will be retired through 2023 at the Trenton Channel, River Rouge, and St. Clair facilities. The remaining coal-fired generating units at the Belle River and Monroe facilities are expected to be retired by 2040. The retired facilities will be replaced with renewables, energy efficiency, demand response, and natural gas fueled generation. DTE Electric constructed and placed in service 50 megawatts of solar generation in 2017. DTE Electric plans to build a natural gas fueled combined cycle generation facility to provide approximately 1,100 megawatts of energy beginning in 2022. In the third quarter of 2017, DTE Electric filed a CON with the MPSC seeking approval for the planned build of this natural gas plant. In March 2018, DTE Electric filed its 2018 Renewable Energy Plan with the MPSC proposing approximately 1,000 additional megawatts of energy from new wind and solar projects to be completed by 2022. The MPSC had previously approved 300 of the 1,000 additional megawatts for wind projects in an MPSC order received in September 2016. In January 2018, DTE Electric filed with the MPSC its five-year distribution operations investment and maintenance plan to improve system reliability. DTE Electric plans to seek regulatory approval for capital expenditures consistent with prior ratemaking treatment.

DTE Gas' capital investments over the 2018-2022 period are estimated at $2.1 billion comprised of $950 million for base infrastructure, $1.1 billion for gas main renewal, meter move out, and pipeline integrity programs, and $10 million for expenditures related to the NEXUS Pipeline. DTE Gas plans to seek regulatory approval in general rate case filings for base infrastructure capital expenditures consistent with prior ratemaking treatment.

DTE Energy's non-utility businesses' capital investments are primarily for expansion, growth, and ongoing maintenance. Gas Storage and Pipelines' capital investments over the 2018-2022 period are estimated at $2.8 billion to $3.4 billion for gathering and pipeline investments and expansions, including the NEXUS Pipeline. Power and Industrial Projects' capital investments over the 2018-2022 period are estimated at $800 million to $1.2 billion for investments in cogeneration and on-site energy projects.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The Registrants are subject to extensive environmental regulation. Additional costs may result as the effects of various substances on the environment are studied and governmental regulations are developed and implemented. Actual costs to comply could vary substantially. The Registrants expect to continue recovering environmental costs related to utility operations through rates charged to customers, as authorized by the MPSC.

DTE Electric is subject to the EPA ozone and fine particulate transport and acid rain regulations that limit power plant emissions of SO2 and NOX. The EPA and the State of Michigan have also issued emission reduction regulations relating to ozone, fine particulate, regional haze, mercury, and other air pollution. These rules have led to controls on fossil-fueled power plants to reduce SO2, NOX, mercury, and other emissions. Additional rulemakings may occur over the next few years which could require additional controls for SO2, NOX, and other hazardous air pollutants. To comply with existing requirements, DTE Electric spent approximately $2.4 billion through 2017. DTE Electric does not anticipate additional capital expenditures through 2024.

The EPA has implemented regulatory actions under the Clean Air Act to address emissions of GHGs from the utility sector and other sectors of the economy. Among these actions, in 2015 the EPA finalized performance standards for emissions of carbon dioxide from new and existing EGUs. In February 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court granted petitioners' requests for a stay of the carbon rules for existing EGUs (also known as the EPA Clean Power Plan) pending final review by the courts. The Clean Power Plan has no legal effect while the stay is in place. On March 28, 2017, a presidential executive order was issued on "Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth." The order instructs the EPA to review, and if appropriate, suspend, revise or rescind the Clean Power Plan rule. Following the issuance of this order, the federal government requested the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to hold all legal challenges in abeyance until the review of these regulations is completed. On October 10, 2017, the EPA proposed to rescind the Clean Power Plan and announced its intent to issue an ANPR seeking input as to whether it should replace the rule and, if so, what form it should take. It is not possible to determine the potential impact of the EPA's repeal and possible replacement of the Clean Power Plan on existing sources at this time.

Pending or future legislation or other regulatory actions could have a material impact on DTE Electric's operations and financial position and the rates charged to its customers. Impacts include expenditures for environmental equipment beyond what is currently planned, financing costs related to additional capital expenditures, the purchase of emission credits from market sources, higher costs of purchased power, and the retirement of facilities where control equipment is not economical. DTE Electric would seek to recover these incremental costs through increased rates charged to its utility customers, as authorized by the MPSC.

Increased costs for energy produced from traditional coal-based sources due to recent, pending, and future regulatory initiatives, could also increase the economic viability of energy produced from renewable, natural gas fueled generation, and/or nuclear sources, energy efficiency initiatives, and the potential development of market-based trading of carbon instruments which could provide new business opportunities for DTE Energy's utility and non-utility segments. At the present time, it is not possible to quantify the financial impacts of these climate related regulatory initiatives on the Registrants or their customers.

For further discussion of environmental matters, see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Commitments and Contingencies."

OUTLOOK

The next few years will be a period of rapid change for DTE Energy and for the energy industry. DTE Energy's strong utility base, combined with its integrated non-utility operations, position it well for long-term growth.

Looking forward, DTE Energy will focus on several areas that are expected to improve future performance:

• electric and gas customer satisfaction;
• electric distribution system reliability;
• new electric generation;
• gas distribution system renewal;
• rate competitiveness and affordability;
• regulatory stability and investment recovery for the electric and gas utilities;
• employee safety and engagement;
• cost structure optimization across all business segments;
• cash, capital, and liquidity to maintain or improve financial strength; and
• investments that integrate assets and leverage skills and expertise.

DTE Energy will continue to pursue opportunities to grow its businesses in a disciplined manner if it can secure opportunities that meet its strategic, financial, and risk criteria.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as the non-GAAP financial measures, Utility Margin and Non-utility Margin, discussed below, which DTE Energy uses as measures of its operational performance. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

DTE Energy uses Utility Margin and Non-utility Margin, non-GAAP financial measures, to assess its performance by reportable segment.

Utility Margin includes electric and gas Operating Revenues net of Fuel, purchased power, and gas expenses. The utilities’ fuel, purchased power, and natural gas supply are passed through to customers, and therefore, result in changes to the utilities’ revenues that are comparable to changes in such expenses. As such, DTE Energy believes Utility Margin provides a meaningful basis for evaluating the utilities’ operations across periods, as it excludes the revenue effect of fluctuations in these expenses.

The Non-utility Margin relates to the Power and Industrial Projects and Energy Trading segments. For the Power and Industrial Projects segment, Non-utility Margin primarily includes Operating Revenues net of Fuel, purchased power, and gas expenses. Operating Revenues include sales of refined coal to third parties and the affiliated Electric utility, metallurgical coke and related by-products, petroleum coke, renewable natural gas, and electricity, as well as rental income and revenues from utility-type consulting, management, and operational services. For the Energy Trading segment, Non-utility Margin includes revenue and realized and unrealized gains and losses from physical and financial power and gas marketing, optimization, and trading activities, net of Purchased power and gas related to these activities. DTE Energy evaluates its operating performance of these non-utility businesses using the measure of Operating Revenues net of Fuel, purchased power, and gas expenses.

Utility Margin and Non-utility Margin are not measures calculated in accordance with GAAP and should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for the results of operations presented in accordance with GAAP. Utility Margin and Non-utility Margin do not intend to represent operating income, the most comparable GAAP measure, as an indicator of operating performance and are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The following sections provide a detailed discussion of the operating performance and future outlook of DTE Energy's segments. Segment information, described below, includes intercompany revenues and expenses, and other income and deductions that are eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(In millions)

52

ELECTRIC

The Results of Operations discussion for DTE Electric is presented in a reduced disclosure format in accordance with General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q.

The Electric segment consists principally of DTE Electric. Electric results are discussed below:

(In millions)

See DTE Electric's Consolidated Statements of Operations for a complete view of its results.

Utility Margin increased $5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. Revenues associated with certain mechanisms and surcharges are offset by related expenses elsewhere in the Registrants' Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table details changes in various Utility Margin components relative to the comparable prior period:

(In millions)

(In thousands of MWh)

(a) Represents power that is not distributed by DTE Electric.

(b) Represents deliveries for self-generators that have purchased power from alternative energy suppliers to supplement their power requirements.

Operation and maintenance expense decreased $59 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to decreased power plant generation expenses of $24 million, lower storm restoration expenses of $30 million, and a one-time benefits expense reimbursement of $9 million. The decrease in power plant generation expenses includes a decrease of $9 million of costs related to the 2016 fire at a generation facility incurred in 2017 and $7 million in related insurance proceeds received in 2018.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $31 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to $14 million increased expense due to an increased depreciable base and an increase of $18 million associated with the TRM.

Other (Income) and Deductions increased $8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to higher interest expense of $2 million and lower investment earnings of $10 million, partially offset by decreased non-operating retirement benefits, net of $4 million.

Outlook — DTE Electric will continue to move forward in its efforts to achieve operational excellence, sustain strong cash flows, and earn its authorized return on equity. DTE Electric expects that planned significant capital investments will result in earnings growth. DTE Electric expects to continue its efforts to improve productivity and decrease costs while improving customer satisfaction with consideration of customer rate affordability. Looking forward, additional factors may impact earnings, such as weather, the outcome of regulatory proceedings, benefit plan design changes, investment returns and changes in discount rate assumptions in benefit plans and health care costs, impact of 2016 Michigan energy legislation, uncertainty of legislative or regulatory actions regarding climate change, and effects of energy waste reduction programs.

DTE Electric filed a rate case with the MPSC on April 19, 2017 requesting an increase in base rates of $231 million based on a projected twelve-month period ending October 31, 2018. The requested increase in base rates is primarily due to an increase in net plant resulting from infrastructure investments, environmental compliance, and reliability improvement projects. The rate filing also includes projected changes in sales, operation and maintenance expenses, and working capital. The rate filing also requests an increase in return on equity from 10.1% to 10.5%. On November 1, 2017, DTE Electric self-implemented a base rate increase of $125 million. On April 18, 2018, the MPSC issued an order approving an annual revenue increase of $65.2 million for service rendered on or after May 1, 2018. The MPSC authorized a return on equity of 10.0%. DTE Electric has recorded a refund liability of $25 million, representing the total estimated refund due to customers, inclusive of interest, at March 31, 2018.

On January 19, 2018, DTE Electric filed information with the MPSC regarding the potential change in revenue requirements due to the TCJA effective January 1, 2018, and outlined its recommended method to flow the current and deferred tax benefits of those impacts to ratepayers.

On February 22, 2018, the MPSC issued an order in this case requiring utilities, including DTE Electric, to follow a 3-step approach of credits and calculations. The first step is to establish Credit A, through contested cases. Credit A is a going-forward tax credit to reflect the reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The proposed new rates are expected to be effective July 1, 2018. DTE Electric is required to file its Credit A application by May 18, 2018. The second step is to establish Credit B, through contested cases. Credit B is a backward-looking tax credit to reflect the reduction of the corporate rate of 35% to 21%, for the period January 1, 2018 through the date Credit A is established. The Credit B filing is required within sixty days after Credit A is implemented. DTE Electric has been deferring the impact of the reduction to the corporate tax rate since January 1, 2018. The third step is to perform Calculation C, through contested cases. Calculation C will address all remaining issues relative to the new tax law, which is primarily the remeasurement of deferred taxes and how the amounts deferred as Regulatory liabilities will flow to ratepayers. DTE Electric is required to file Calculation C no later than October 1, 2018, unless it files a new general rate case prior to October 1, 2018, and address Calculation C within that filing.

GAS

The Gas segment consists principally of DTE Gas. Gas results are discussed below:

(In millions)

Utility Margin decreased $6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. Revenues associated with certain surcharges are offset by related expenses elsewhere in DTE Energy's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table details changes in various Utility Margin components relative to the comparable prior period:

(In millions)

Operation and maintenance expense increased $4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to increased uncollectible and gas operations expenses partially offset by a one-time benefits expense reimbursement.

Outlook — DTE Gas will continue to move forward in its efforts to achieve operational excellence, sustain strong cash flows, and earn its authorized return on equity. DTE Gas expects that planned significant infrastructure capital investments will result in earnings growth. Looking forward, additional factors may impact earnings such as weather, the outcome of regulatory proceedings, benefit plan design changes, and investment returns and changes in discount rate assumptions in benefit plans and health care costs. DTE Gas expects to continue its efforts to improve productivity and decrease costs while improving customer satisfaction with consideration of customer rate affordability.

DTE Gas filed a rate case with the MPSC on November 22, 2017 requesting an increase in base rates of $85.1 million based on a projected twelve-month period ending September 30, 2019. The requested increase in base rates is primarily due to an increase in net plant. The rate filing also includes projected changes in sales, operations, maintenance expenses, and working capital. The rate filing also requests an increase in return on equity from 10.1% to 10.5%. A final MPSC order in this case is expected by September 2018.

On January 19, 2018, DTE Gas filed information with the MPSC regarding the potential change in revenue requirements due to the TCJA effective January 1, 2018, and outlined its recommended method to flow the current and deferred tax benefits of those impacts to ratepayers.

On February 22, 2018, the MPSC issued an order in this case requiring utilities, including DTE Gas, to follow a 3-step approach of credits and calculations. The first step is to establish Credit A, through contested cases. Credit A is a going-forward tax credit to reflect the reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. DTE Gas submitted its Credit A filing on March 28, 2018, reflecting a reduction in revenues of $38.2 million. The second step is to establish Credit B, through contested cases. Credit B is a backward-looking tax credit to reflect the reduction of the corporate rate of 35% to 21%, for the period January 1, 2018 through the date Credit A is established. The Credit B filing is required within sixty days after Credit A is implemented. DTE Gas has been deferring the impact of the reduction to the corporate tax rate since January 1, 2018. The third step is to perform Calculation C, through contested cases. Calculation C will address all remaining issues relative to the new tax law, which is primarily the remeasurement of deferred taxes and how the amounts deferred as Regulatory liabilities will flow to ratepayers. DTE Gas is required to file Calculation C no later than October 1, 2018, unless it files a new general rate case prior to October 1, 2018, and address Calculation C within that filing.

GAS STORAGE AND PIPELINES

The Gas Storage and Pipelines segment consists of the non-utility gas pipelines and storage businesses. Gas Storage and Pipelines results are discussed below:

(In millions)

Operating Revenues — Non-utility operations increased $14 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to increased pipeline and gathering volumes.

Cost of gas — Non-utility decreased $2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily driven by less physical gas purchases from AGS customers for resale to optimize available transportation capacity.

Operation and maintenance expense increased $4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to additional compression activity on the Bluestone Pipeline and Susquehanna gathering systems.

Outlook — The Bluestone Pipeline and Susquehanna gathering system are being expanded with additional compression facilities and gathering lines as needed to accommodate shipper demand. DTE Energy believes its long-term agreement with Southwestern Energy Production Company and the quality of the natural gas reserves in the Marcellus region soundly positions Bluestone Pipeline and Susquehanna gathering system for future growth.

Progress continues on development activities on the NEXUS Pipeline, a transportation path to transport Appalachian Basin shale gas, including Utica and Marcellus shale gas, directly to consuming markets in northern Ohio, southeastern Michigan, and Dawn Ontario. DTE Energy owns a 50% partnership interest in the NEXUS Pipeline, with an investment balance of $704 million at March 31, 2018. The FERC application was approved on August 25, 2017 and construction commenced in October 2017. DTE Energy anticipates a third quarter 2018 in-service date for the NEXUS Pipeline.

AGS and SGG provide a platform for midstream growth and access to further investment opportunities in the Appalachian basin, an additional connection to the NEXUS Pipeline which should drive incremental volumes on the NEXUS Pipeline, and a new set of producer relationships that may lead to more partnering opportunities.

In March 2018, the FERC application was approved for the Birdsboro Pipeline, a 14-mile lateral to serve a new power plant in Pennsylvania. DTE Energy is targeting a 2018 in-service date.

Gas Storage and Pipelines expects to maintain its steady growth by developing an asset portfolio with multiple growth platforms through investment in new projects and expansions. Gas Storage and Pipelines will continue to look for additional investment opportunities and other storage and pipeline projects at favorable prices.

POWER AND INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS

The Power and Industrial Projects segment is comprised primarily of projects that deliver energy and utility-type products and services to industrial, commercial, and institutional customers, produce reduced emissions fuel, and sell electricity and pipeline-quality gas from renewable energy projects. Power and Industrial Projects results are discussed below:

(In millions)

Operating Revenues — Non-utility operations increased $19 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was due to the following:

(In millions)

57

Non-utility Margin increased $7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was due to the following:

(In millions)

Income Taxes — Production Tax Credits increased $5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to the higher production in the REF business.

Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests increased $5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to higher production in the REF business.

Outlook — Power and Industrial Projects has constructed and placed in service REF facilities at eleven sites including facilities located at eight third-party owned coal-fired power plants. DTE Energy has sold membership interests in four of the facilities and entered into lease arrangements in three of the facilities. One of the third-party owned lease facilities ceased operations and the lease arrangement terminated effective April 2018. After the termination date, the REF business has ten remaining sites at seven third-party owned coal-fired power plants. DTE Energy will continue to optimize the remaining facilities by seeking investors or entering into lease arrangements for facilities operating at DTE Electric and other utility sites.

Power and Industrial Projects will continue to leverage its extensive energy-related operating experience and project management capability to develop additional energy projects to serve energy intensive industrial customers.

ENERGY TRADING

Energy Trading focuses on physical and financial power and natural gas marketing and trading, structured transactions, enhancement of returns from its asset portfolio, and optimization of contracted natural gas pipeline transportation and storage positions. Energy Trading also provides natural gas, power, and related services, which may include the management of associated storage and transportation contracts on the customers' behalf, and the supply or purchase of renewable energy credits to various customers. Energy Trading results are discussed below:

(In millions)

Operating Revenues — Non-utility operations increased $446 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to higher volumes and higher gas prices in the gas structured strategy.

Non-utility Margin decreased $117 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was due to the unrealized and realized margins presented in the following table:

(In millions)

(a) Natural gas structured transactions typically involve a physical purchase or sale of natural gas in the future and/or natural gas basis financial instruments which are derivatives and a related non-derivative pipeline transportation contract. These gas structured transactions can result in significant earnings volatility as the derivative components are marked-to-market without revaluing the related non-derivative contracts.

(b) Amount includes $103 million of timing related losses related to gas strategies which will reverse in future periods as the underlying contracts settle.

(c) Amount includes $17 million of timing related losses related to gas strategies recognized in previous periods that reversed as the underlying contracts settled.

Outlook — In the near-term, Energy Trading expects market conditions to remain challenging, and the profitability of this segment may be impacted by the volatility in commodity prices and the uncertainty of impacts associated with financial reform, regulatory changes, and changes in operating rules of Regional Transmission Organizations. Significant portions of the Energy Trading portfolio are economically hedged. Most financial instruments and physical power and natural gas contracts are deemed derivatives, whereas natural gas inventory, pipeline transportation, renewable energy credits, and storage assets are not derivatives. As a result, Energy Trading will experience earnings volatility as derivatives are marked-to-market without revaluing the underlying non-derivative contracts and assets. Energy Trading's strategy is to economically manage the price risk of these underlying non-derivative contracts and assets with futures, forwards, swaps, and options. This results in gains and losses that are recognized in different interim and annual accounting periods.

See also the "Fair Value" section herein and Notes 7 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Fair Value" and "Financial and Other Derivative Instruments," respectively.

CORPORATE AND OTHER

Corporate and Other includes various holding company activities, holds certain non-utility debt, and holds energy-related investments. The net loss of $21 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018, represents a decrease of $37 million from the net income of $16 million in the comparable 2017 period. The decrease was primarily due to effective income tax rate adjustments, higher interest expense, a reduction in the corporate tax rate from the TCJA in December 2017, and lower excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation.

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Cash Requirements

DTE Energy uses cash to maintain and invest in the electric and natural gas utilities, to grow the non-utility businesses, to retire, and pay interest on long-term debt, and to pay dividends. DTE Energy believes it will have sufficient internal and external capital resources to fund anticipated capital and operating requirements. DTE Energy expects that cash from operations in 2018 will be approximately $2.0 billion. DTE Energy anticipates base level utility capital investments, including environmental, renewable, and energy waste reduction expenditures; expenditures for non-utility businesses; and contributions to equity method investees in 2018 of approximately $3.6 billion. DTE Energy plans to seek regulatory approval to include utility capital expenditures in regulatory rate base consistent with prior treatment. Capital spending for growth of existing or new non-utility businesses will depend on the existence of opportunities that meet strict risk-return and value creation criteria.

(In millions)

Cash from Operating Activities

A majority of DTE Energy's operating cash flows are provided by the electric and natural gas utilities, which are significantly influenced by factors such as weather, electric retail access, regulatory deferrals, regulatory outcomes, economic conditions, changes in working capital, and operating costs.

Cash from operations increased by $51 million in 2018 due primarily to an increase in Depreciation and amortization, and working capital adjustments, partially offset by a decrease to Net Income, and Deferred income taxes.

The change in working capital items in 2018 was primarily related to increases of cash from Inventories, and Other current and noncurrent assets and liabilities, and a decrease in cash used for Derivative assets and liabilities, partially offset by increases in cash used for Accounts payable, Accrued pension obligation, and Accrued postretirement obligation, and a decrease in cash from Accounts receivable, net.

Cash used for Investing Activities

Cash inflows associated with investing activities are primarily generated from the sale of assets, while cash outflows are the result of plant and equipment expenditures. In any given year, DTE Energy looks to realize cash from under-performing or non-strategic assets or matured, fully valued assets.

Capital spending within the utility businesses is primarily to maintain and improve electric generation and the electric and natural gas distribution infrastructure, and to comply with environmental regulations and renewable energy requirements.

Capital spending within the non-utility businesses is primarily for ongoing maintenance, expansion, and growth. DTE Energy looks to make growth investments that meet strict criteria in terms of strategy, management skills, risks, and returns. All new investments are analyzed for their rates of return and cash payback on a risk adjusted basis. DTE Energy has been disciplined in how it deploys capital and will not make investments unless they meet the criteria. For new business lines, DTE Energy initially invests based on research and analysis. DTE Energy starts with a limited investment, evaluates the results, and either expands or exits the business based on those results. In any given year, the amount of growth capital will be determined by the underlying cash flows of DTE Energy, with a clear understanding of any potential impact on its credit ratings.

Net cash used for investing activities decreased by $56 million in 2018 primarily due to a decrease in Plant and equipment expenditures — utility, and Contributions to equity method investees, primarily to the NEXUS pipeline, partially offset by an increase in Plant and equipment expenditures — non-utility.

Net Cash used for Financing Activities

DTE Energy relies on both short-term borrowing and long-term financing as a source of funding for capital requirements not satisfied by its operations.

DTE Energy's strategy is to have a targeted debt portfolio blend of fixed and variable interest rates and maturity. DTE Energy continually evaluates its leverage target, which is currently 50% to 54%, to ensure it is consistent with the objective of a strong investment grade debt rating.

Net cash used for financing activities decreased by $1 million in 2018 primarily due to a decrease in cash used for Short-term borrowings, net, and Repurchases of common stock, partially offset by a decrease to Issuances of long-term debt.

Outlook

DTE Energy expects cash flows from operations to increase over the long-term, primarily as a result of growth from the utility and non-utility businesses. Growth in the utilities is expected to be driven primarily by capital spending to maintain and improve the electric generation and electric and natural gas distribution infrastructure and to comply with new and existing state and federal regulations that will result in additional environmental and renewable energy investments which will increase the base from which rates are determined. Non-utility growth is expected from additional investments, primarily in the Gas Storage and Pipelines and Power and Industrial Projects segments.

DTE Energy may be impacted by the timing of collection or refund of various recovery and tracking mechanisms, as a result of timing of MPSC orders. Energy prices are likely to be a source of volatility with regard to working capital requirements for the foreseeable future. DTE Energy continues its efforts to identify opportunities to improve cash flows through working capital initiatives and maintaining flexibility in the timing and extent of long-term capital projects.

DTE Energy has approximately $110 million in long-term debt, including capital leases, maturing in the next twelve months. The repayment of the debt is expected to be paid through internally generated funds or the issuance of long-term debt.

DTE Energy has approximately $1.4 billion of available liquidity at March 31, 2018, consisting of cash and amounts available under unsecured revolving credit agreements.

DTE Energy expects to issue equity up to $300 million in 2018 through the dividend reinvestment plan and pension and other employee benefit plans.

At the discretion of management, and depending upon financial market conditions, DTE Energy may make additional contributions up to $25 million to its pension plans in 2018. DTE Energy does not anticipate making any contributions to the other postretirement benefit plans in 2018.

Various subsidiaries and equity investees of DTE Energy have entered into contracts which contain ratings triggers and are guaranteed by DTE Energy. These contracts contain provisions which allow the counterparties to require that DTE Energy post cash or letters of credit as collateral in the event that DTE Energy's credit rating is downgraded below investment grade. Certain of these provisions (known as "hard triggers") state specific circumstances under which DTE Energy can be required to post collateral upon the occurrence of a credit downgrade, while other provisions (known as "soft triggers") are not as specific. For contracts with soft triggers, it is difficult to estimate the amount of collateral which may be requested by counterparties and/or which DTE Energy may ultimately be required to post. The amount of such collateral which could be requested fluctuates based on commodity prices (primarily natural gas, power, and coal) and the provisions and maturities of the underlying transactions. As of March 31, 2018, DTE Energy's contractual obligation to post collateral in the form of cash or letters of credit in the event of a downgrade to below investment grade, under both hard trigger and soft trigger provisions, was $513 million.

DTE Energy believes it will have sufficient operating flexibility, cash resources, and funding sources to maintain adequate amounts of liquidity and to meet future operating cash and capital expenditure needs. However, virtually all of DTE Energy's businesses are capital intensive, or require access to capital, and the inability to access adequate capital could adversely impact earnings and cash flows.

See Notes 5, 9, 10, and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Regulatory Matters," "Short-Term Credit Arrangements and Borrowings," "Commitments and Contingencies," and "Retirement Benefits and Trusteed Assets," respectively.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "New Accounting Pronouncements."

FAIR VALUE

Derivatives are generally recorded at fair value and shown as Derivative assets or liabilities. Contracts DTE Energy typically classifies as derivative instruments include power, natural gas, oil, and certain coal forwards, futures, options and swaps, and foreign currency exchange contracts. Items DTE Energy does not generally account for as derivatives include natural gas inventory, pipeline transportation contracts, renewable energy credits, and storage assets. See Notes 7 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Fair Value" and "Financial and Other Derivative Instruments," respectively.

The tables below do not include the expected earnings impact of non-derivative natural gas storage, transportation, certain power contracts, and renewable energy credits which are subject to accrual accounting. Consequently, gains and losses from these positions may not match with the related physical and financial hedging instruments in some reporting periods, resulting in volatility in the Registrants' reported period-by-period earnings; however, the financial impact of the timing differences will reverse at the time of physical delivery and/or settlement.

The Registrants manage their MTM risk on a portfolio basis based upon the delivery period of their contracts and the individual components of the risks within each contract. Accordingly, the Registrants record and manage the energy purchase and sale obligations under their contracts in separate components based on the commodity (e.g. electricity or natural gas), the product (e.g. electricity for delivery during peak or off-peak hours), the delivery location (e.g. by region), the risk profile (e.g. forward or option), and the delivery period (e.g. by month and year).

The Registrants have established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value in three broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). For further discussion of the fair value hierarchy, see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Fair Value."

The following table provides details on changes in DTE Energy's MTM net asset (or liability) position:

(In millions)

The table below shows the maturity of DTE Energy's MTM positions. The positions from 2021 and beyond principally represent longer tenor gas structured transactions:

(In millions)

63

Market Price Risk

The Electric and Gas businesses have commodity price risk, primarily related to the purchases of coal, natural gas, uranium, and electricity. However, the Registrants do not bear significant exposure to earnings risk, as such changes are included in the PSCR and GCR regulatory rate-recovery mechanisms. In addition, changes in the price of natural gas can impact the valuation of lost and stolen gas, storage sales, and transportation services revenue at the Gas segment. The Gas segment manages its market price risk related to storage sales revenue primarily through the sale of long-term storage contracts. The Registrants are exposed to short-term cash flow or liquidity risk as a result of the time differential between actual cash settlements and regulatory rate recovery.

DTE Energy's Gas Storage and Pipelines segment has exposure to natural gas price fluctuations which impact the pricing for natural gas storage, gathering, and transportation. DTE Energy manages its exposure through the use of short, medium, and long-term storage, gathering, and transportation contracts.

DTE Energy's Power and Industrial Projects business segment is subject to electricity, natural gas, and coal product price risk. DTE Energy manages its exposure to commodity price risk through the use of long-term contracts.

DTE Energy's Energy Trading business segment has exposure to electricity, natural gas, coal, crude oil, heating oil, and foreign currency exchange price fluctuations. These risks are managed by the energy marketing and trading operations through the use of forward energy, capacity, storage, options, and futures contracts, within pre-determined risk parameters.

Credit Risk

The Registrants regularly review contingent matters relating to customers and their contracts and record provisions for amounts considered at risk of probable loss in the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Registrants believe their accrued amounts are adequate for probable loss.

Trading Activities

DTE Energy is exposed to credit risk through trading activities. Credit risk is the potential loss that may result if the trading counterparties fail to meet their contractual obligations. DTE Energy utilizes both external and internal credit assessments when determining the credit quality of trading counterparties.

The following table displays the credit quality of DTE Energy's trading counterparties as of March 31, 2018:

(In millions)

(a) This category includes counterparties with minimum credit ratings of Baa3 assigned by Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) or BBB- assigned by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group, a division of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (Standard & Poor’s). The five largest counterparty exposures, combined, for this category represented 13% of the total gross credit exposure.

(b) This category includes counterparties with credit ratings that are below investment grade. The five largest counterparty exposures, combined, for this category represented 2% of the total gross credit exposure.

(c) This category includes counterparties that have not been rated by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s, but are considered investment grade based on DTE Energy’s evaluation of the counterparty’s creditworthiness. The five largest counterparty exposures, combined, for this category represented 14% of the total gross credit exposure.

(d) This category includes counterparties that have not been rated by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s, and are considered non-investment grade based on DTE Energy’s evaluation of the counterparty’s creditworthiness. The five largest counterparty exposures, combined, for this category represented 3% of the total gross credit exposure.

Other

The Registrants engage in business with customers that are non-investment grade. The Registrants closely monitor the credit ratings of these customers and, when deemed necessary and permitted under the tariffs, request collateral or guarantees from such customers to secure their obligations.

Interest Rate Risk

DTE Energy is subject to interest rate risk in connection with the issuance of debt. In order to manage interest costs, DTE Energy may use treasury locks and interest rate swap agreements. DTE Energy's exposure to interest rate risk arises primarily from changes in U.S. Treasury rates, commercial paper rates, and London Inter-Bank Offered Rates (LIBOR). As of March 31, 2018, DTE Energy had a floating rate debt-to-total debt ratio of 4.9%.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

DTE Energy has foreign currency exchange risk arising from market price fluctuations associated with fixed priced contracts. These contracts are denominated in Canadian dollars and are primarily for the purchase and sale of natural gas and power, as well as for long-term transportation capacity. To limit DTE Energy's exposure to foreign currency exchange fluctuations, DTE Energy has entered into a series of foreign currency exchange forward contracts through June 2022.

Summary of Sensitivity Analyses

Sensitivity analyses were performed on the fair values of commodity contracts for DTE Energy and long-term debt obligations for the Registrants. The commodity contracts listed below principally relate to energy marketing and trading activities. The sensitivity analyses involved increasing and decreasing forward prices and rates at March 31, 2018 and 2017 by a hypothetical 10% and calculating the resulting change in the fair values.

The results of the sensitivity analyses:

(In millions)

For further discussion of market risk, see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Financial and Other Derivative Instruments."

DTE Energy

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Management of DTE Energy carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of DTE Energy's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of DTE Energy's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of March 31, 2018, which is the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, DTE Energy's CEO and CFO have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by DTE Energy in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to DTE Energy's management, including its CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Due to the inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any disclosure controls and procedures, management cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of its disclosure controls and procedures will be attained.

(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There have been no changes in DTE Energy's internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, DTE Energy's internal control over financial reporting.

DTE Electric

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Management of DTE Electric carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of DTE Electric's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of DTE Electric's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of March 31, 2018, which is the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, DTE Electric's CEO and CFO have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by DTE Electric in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to DTE Electric's management, including its CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Due to the inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any disclosure controls and procedures, management cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of its disclosure controls and procedures will be attained.

(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There have been no changes in DTE Electric's internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, DTE Electric's internal control over financial reporting.

There are various risks associated with the operations of the Registrants' businesses. To provide a framework to understand the operating environment of the Registrants, a brief explanation of the more significant risks associated with the Registrants' businesses is provided in Part 1, Item 1A. Risk Factors in DTE Energy's and DTE Electric's combined 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Although the Registrants have tried to identify and discuss key risk factors, others could emerge in the future.