CMS ENERGY CORP
S-3, 1995-02-15
ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED
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<PAGE>   1





       As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 1995
                                                            Registration No. 33-
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                              ___________________
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                              ___________________
<TABLE>
 <S>                                        <C>
 CMS ENERGY CORPORATION                     CMS ENERGY MICHIGAN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 (Exact name of registrant as                   (Exact name of co-registrant as
 specified in its charter)                          specified in its charter)

          Michigan                                        Michigan
 (State or other jurisdiction                   (State or other jurisdiction of
 incorporation or organization)                  incorporation or organization)

           38-2726431                                       38-3220537
 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)          (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
</TABLE>
                        Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
                             330 Town Center Drive
                           Dearborn, Michigan  48126
                                 (313) 436-9261
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                              ___________________
                                 Alan M. Wright
               Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                        Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 900
                             330 Town Center Drive
                           Dearborn, Michigan  48126
                                  313-436-9560
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                              ___________________
          It is respectfully requested that the Commission send copies
                of all notices, orders and communications to:
<TABLE>
 <S>                                         <C>
 David J. Boyd, Esq.                         Steven R. Loeshelle, Esq.
 Sidley & Austin                             Reid & Priest LLP
 One First National Plaza                    40 West 57th Street
 Chicago, Illinois  60603                    New York, New York  10019                    
                              ___________________
</TABLE>

 Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to
time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by
market and other conditions.  
                              ___________________

 If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box:   [ ]

 If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:   [x]

<PAGE>   2

                                                 CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title of each class                                   Amount           Proposed                     Proposed             Amount of
of securities to be                                   to be            maximum offering          maximum aggregate     registration
  registered                                       registered (1)    price per share (1)(2)     offering price(1)(2)      fee(1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>                <C>                        <C>                    <C>
CMS Energy Corporation
  Senior Debt Securities
  Subordinated Debt Securities
  CMS Energy Common Stock,
     par value $.01 per share
  Class G Common Stock, no par value
  Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share
  Guarantee with respect to
    CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership
    Preferred Securities
CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership
  Preferred Securities

  Total                                           $200,000,000       100%                       $200,000,000           $68,966
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>   

(1) There are being registered hereunder such presently indeterminate principal
    amount or number of Debt Securities (which may be senior or subordinated),
    shares of Preferred Stock, shares of Class G Common Stock and shares of
    Common Stock of CMS Energy Corporation and Preferred Securities of CMS
    Energy Michigan Limited Partnership with an aggregate initial offering
    price not to exceed $200,000,000, plus (i) an indeterminate number of
    shares of CMS Energy Common Stock as may be issued upon conversion of Debt
    Securities or Preferred Stock of CMS Energy Corporation or Preferred
    Securities of CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership, (ii) an
    indeterminate amount of Subordinated Debt Securities of CMS Energy
    Corporation with an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200,000,000
    as may be distributed upon a dissolution of CMS Energy Michigan Limited
    Partnership and (iii) a Payment and Guarantee Agreement of CMS Energy to be
    delivered in connection with CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership
    Preferred Securities for which, in each case, no separate consideration
    will be received.  Pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933
    which permits the registration fee to be calculated on the basis of the
    maximum offering price of all the securities listed, the table does not
    specify by each class information as to the amount to be registered,
    proposed maximum offering price per unit or proposed maximum aggregate
    offering price.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

 The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
<PAGE>   3

                                EXPLANATORY NOTE


     This Registration Statement contains the following prospectuses:  (i)
"base" prospectus (the "Base Prospectus") to be used in connection with the
offer and sale of debt securities, common stock and/or preferred stock of CMS
Energy Corporation ("CMS Energy") and preferred securities of CMS Energy
Michigan Limited Partnership ("CMS Energy Michigan"), a limited partnership in
which CMS Energy is the general partner; and (ii) a prospectus to be used in
connection with any offer and sale of a class of common stock of CMS Energy
which will be designated as Class G Common Stock (the "Class G Prospectus").

     The Base Prospectus will be used for the offer and sale of all securities,
other than the Class G Common Stock, registered pursuant to this Registration
Statement, in addition to a prospectus supplement relating to the specific
security or securities to be offered and sold.  Only the Class G Prospectus
will be used with respect to the offer and sale of the Class G Common Stock.
CMS Energy plans to consummate, from time to time, transactions involving the
sale of securities registered pursuant to this Registration Statement, provided
that the proceeds therefrom will not exceed an aggregate of $200,000,000.  No
decisions have been made as to which securities will be issued or the timing or
size of any offering of such securities.  Such determinations will be made from
time to time in the light of market and other conditions.

<PAGE>   4
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.  THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL
PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH
JURISDICTION.

PROSPECTUS (SUBJECT TO COMPLETION)
ISSUED FEBRUARY __, 1995
                                  $200,000,000

                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                                  COMMON STOCK
                                PREFERRED STOCK
                                      AND
                              CMS ENERGY MICHIGAN
                              PREFERRED SECURITIES



     CMS Energy Corporation, a Michigan corporation ("CMS Energy"), may offer,
from time to time, its (i) unsecured senior debt securities (the "Senior Debt
Securities") consisting of debentures, notes or other unsecured evidence of
indebtedness, (ii) unsecured subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated
Debt Securities," and together with Senior Debt Securities, the "Debt
Securities") consisting of debentures, notes and other unsecured evidence of
indebtedness, (iii) shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "CMS
Energy Common Stock"), (iv) Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share ("CMS
Energy Preferred Stock"), or any combination of the foregoing, in each case in
amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of
sale.  See "Description of Securities."

     CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership ("CMS Energy Michigan"), a
Michigan special purpose limited partnership in which CMS Energy is the general
partner, may also offer, from time to time, its preferred securities ("CMS
Energy Michigan Preferred Securities"), representing limited partner interests
in one or more series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at
or prior to the time of sale.  CMS Energy Michigan will lend the proceeds of
the sale of the Preferred Securities to CMS Energy in return for Subordinated
Debt Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
liquidation preference of such Preferred Securities, bearing interest at an
annual rate equal to the annual dividend rate of such Preferred Securities and
having certain redemption terms which correspond to the redemption terms for
the Preferred Securities.  The Subordinated Debt Securities will rank
subordinate in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein)
of CMS Energy.  The payment of periodic cash distributions ("dividends") and
payments on liquidation or redemption with respect to the Preferred Securities,
to the extent of funds held by CMS Energy Michigan and legally available
therefor, are guaranteed under a Payment and Guarantee Agreement (the
"Guarantee") of CMS Energy.  CMS Energy's obligations under the Guarantee are
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of CMS
Energy and pari passu with the most senior preferred stock issued by CMS
Energy.  The Subordinated Debt Securities subsequently may be distributed pro
rata to holders of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities in connection with
the dissolution of CMS Energy Michigan upon the occurrence of certain events as
may be described in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement (a "Prospectus
Supplement").

     Specific terms of the particular Debt Securities, Common Stock, CMS Energy
Preferred Stock and CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is being delivered (the "Offered Securities") will be set
forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement or Supplements, together with
the terms of the offering of the Offered Securities, the initial price thereof
and the net proceeds from the sale thereof.  The Prospectus Supplement will set
forth with regard to the particular Offered Securities, without limitation, the
following: (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the designation, aggregate
principal amount, denomination, maturity, any exchange, conversion, redemption
or sinking fund provisions, provisions for redemption at the option of the
holder, interest rate (which may be fixed or variable), the time and method of
calculating interest payments, the right of CMS Energy, if any, to defer
payment of interest on the Debt Securities and the maximum length of such
deferral period, any listing on a securities exchange and other specific terms
of the offering; (ii) in the case of CMS Energy Common Stock, the number of
shares, public offering price and other specific terms of the offering; and
(iii) in the case of CMS Energy Preferred Stock and CMS Energy Michigan
Preferred Securities, the designation, number of shares, liquidation preference
per security, initial public offering price, any listing on a securities
exchange, dividend rate (or method of calculation thereof), dates on which
dividends shall be payable and dates from which dividends shall accrue, any
voting rights, any redemption, exchange, conversion or sinking fund provisions
and any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions
relating to the CMS Energy Preferred
<PAGE>   5

Stock or the CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities, as the case may be, of a
specific series and, in the case of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities,
the terms upon which the proceeds of the sale of the CMS Energy Michigan
Preferred Securities will be loaned to CMS Energy. The offering price to the
public of the Offered Securities will be limited to $200,000,000 in the
aggregate.

     The outstanding CMS Energy Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE").  See "Description of Securities--Capital
Stock--Dividend and Price Range of CMS Energy Common Stock."  The CMS Energy
Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement accompanying this
Prospectus will also be listed for trading on the NYSE, subject to official
notice of issuance.

                              ____________________

  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
         EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
         THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
      COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
           ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                              ____________________

     CMS Energy intends to sell the Offered Securities through underwriters,
dealers, agents or directly to a limited number of purchasers.  The names of,
and the principal amounts to be purchased by or through underwriters, dealers
or agents, if any, the compensation of such persons and other special terms in
connection with the offering and sale of such Offered Securities will be set
forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.  See "Plan of Distribution" herein.

     This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Offered Securities
unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.

                              ____________________

             The date of this Prospectus is _______________, 1995.





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   6

     NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, AND
ANY INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED HEREIN MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CMS ENERGY OR ANY UNDERWRITER,
DEALER OR AGENT.  THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DO NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY
SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES TO WHICH THEY RELATE OR AN OFFER TO SELL
OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN
WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.  NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER OR
THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY
TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF SUCH INFORMATION.


                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     CMS Energy is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission").  Information, as of particular dates, concerning
CMS Energy's directors and officers, their remuneration, the principal holders
of CMS Energy's securities and any material interest of such persons in
transactions with CMS Energy is disclosed in proxy statements distributed to
shareholders of CMS Energy and filed with the Commission.  Such reports, proxy
statements and other information may be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices
located at 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and at Seven World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048.  Copies of such materials
can be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.  The
outstanding shares of Common Stock of CMS Energy are listed on the NYSE and
reports, proxy statements and other information concerning CMS Energy may also
be inspected and copied at the offices of such exchange at 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10005.

                              ____________________


                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following documents filed by CMS Energy with the Commission (File No.
1-9513) pursuant to the Exchange Act are hereby incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus and shall be deemed to be a part hereof:  (i) CMS Energy's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993;  (ii) CMS's
Energy's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March
31, June 30 and September 30, 1994; and (iii) CMS Energy's Current Reports on
Forms 8-K dated March 4, March 29, August 18, October 5 and November 21, 1994
and January 10 and February 2, 1995.

     All documents subsequently filed by CMS Energy pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and prior to the termination of the
offering made by this Prospectus (the "Offering") shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein and shall be deemed to be a part hereof from
the date of filing of such documents (such documents, and the documents
enumerated above, being hereinafter referred to as "Incorporated Documents").
Any statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed Incorporated
Document modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any such statement so modified
or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.

     CMS Energy undertakes to provide without charge to each person to whom a
copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or oral request of
any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which
have been or may be incorporated in this Prospectus by reference, other than
exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated
by reference into such documents).  Requests for such copies should be directed
to CMS Energy Corporation at its principal executive offices located at
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100, 330 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, Michigan
48126, Attention: Office of the Secretary, telephone: (313) 436-9261.





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   7

     Certain information contained in this Prospectus summarizes, is based
upon, or refers to information and financial statements contained in one or
more Incorporated Documents; accordingly, such information contained herein is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such documents and should be read in
conjunction therewith.                     ______________


                                   CMS ENERGY

     CMS Energy, incorporated in 1987, is the parent holding company of
Consumers Power Company ("Consumers") and CMS Enterprises Company
("Enterprises").  Consumers, a combination electric and gas utility company
serving most of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, is CMS Energy's largest subsidiary.
Consumers' customer base includes a mix of residential, commercial and
diversified industrial customers, the largest of which is the automotive
industry.  Enterprises is engaged in several non-utility energy-related
businesses including: (i) oil and gas exploration and production, (ii)
development and operation of independent power production facilities, (iii) gas
marketing services to end-users and (iv) transmission and storage of natural
gas.

     CMS Energy conducts its principal operations through the following five
business segments:  (i) electric utility operations; (ii) natural gas utility
operations; (iii) oil and gas exploration and production operations; (iv)
independent power production; and (v) gas transmission and marketing.
Consumers or Consumers' subsidiaries are engaged in two segments:  electric
operations and gas operations.  Consumers' electric and gas businesses are
principally regulated utility operations.

     CMS Energy's 1993 consolidated operating revenue was $3,482 million.  This
consolidated operating revenue was derived from Consumers' sales of electric
energy (approximately 60% or $2,077 million), Consumers' gas operations
(approximately 33% or $1,160 million), oil and gas exploration and production
activities (approximately 2% or $77 million), independent power production
activities (approximately 1% or $21 million) and gas transmission and marketing
(approximately 4% or $142 million).  Consumers' consolidated operations in the
electric and gas utility businesses account for the major share of CMS Energy's
total assets, revenue and income.  CMS Energy's share of 1993 unconsolidated
non-utility generation and gas transmission revenue was $337 million.

     Consumers is a public utility serving almost six million of Michigan's
nine million residents in all of the 68 counties in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
Industries in Consumers' service area include automotive, metal, chemical, food
and wood products and a diversified group of other industries.  Consumers' 1993
consolidated operating revenue of $3,243 million was derived approximately 64%
($2,077 million) from its electric utility business and approximately 36%
($1,160 million) from its gas utility business.  Consumers' rates and certain
other aspects of its business are subject to the jurisdiction of the Michigan
Public Service Commission (the "MPSC") and the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission.


                    CMS ENERGY MICHIGAN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

     CMS Energy Michigan is a limited partnership formed under the laws of the
State of Michigan. CMS Energy Michigan exists for the sole purpose of issuing
its limited partnership interests and investing the net proceeds thereof in the
Subordinated Debt Securities.  CMS Energy is the sole general partner in CMS
Energy Michigan (the "General Partner").  CMS Energy Finance Corporation, a
Michigan corporation and wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of CMS Energy ("CMS
Finance"), is, as of the date hereof, the sole limited partner in CMS Energy
Michigan.  Upon the issuance of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities, which
securities represent limited partner interests in CMS Energy Michigan, holders
of the CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities will be limited partners in CMS
Energy Michigan and CMS Finance will withdraw as a limited partner.  CMS Energy
will make capital contributions from time to time to the extent required so
that the total contributions made by the General Partner, as general partner,
shall at all times be at least equal to ____%.  CMS Energy Michigan is managed
by the General Partner and exists for the sole purpose of issuing its
partnership interests and lending the proceeds thereof to CMS Energy, such
loans to be evidenced by Subordinated Debt Securities of CMS Energy.  The
rights and obligations of CMS Energy, as General Partner, and the limited
partners of CMS Energy Michigan will be governed by the Michigan Revised
Uniform Limited Partnership Act and by an Amended and Restated Limited
Partnership Agreement of CMS Energy Michigan (the "Partnership Agreement")
substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus is a part.  CMS Energy Michigan has a term of
approximately 99 years, unless earlier dissolved. CMS Energy Michigan's
registered office in





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   8

the State of Michigan is Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100, 330 Town Center
Drive, Dearborn, Michigan 48126, telephone number: (313) 436-9200.  All of CMS
Energy Michigan's business and affairs will be conducted by CMS Energy, as the
sole general partner. The principal place of business of CMS Energy Michigan is
c/o CMS Energy Corporation, Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100, 330 Town Center
Drive, Dearborn, Michigan 48126, telephone number: (313) 436-9200.


                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     CMS Energy Michigan will loan to CMS Energy all proceeds received by CMS
Energy Michigan from the sale of its CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities.
As will be more specifically set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
CMS Energy will use such borrowed amounts and the net proceeds from the sale of
the Debt Securities, CMS Energy Common Stock and the CMS Energy Preferred Stock
offered hereby to invest in the businesses of CMS Energy and for its general
corporate purposes.  Initially such borrowed amounts and net proceeds will be
used to repay a portion of the debt of CMS Energy currently outstanding at
rates of interest ranging from __% to __% and maturing from ___ to ___.


                     RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND
        RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

     The ratios of earnings to fixed charges and the ratios of earnings to
fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, for the twelve months ended
September 30, 1994 and each of the years ended December 31, 1989 through 1993
are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    TWELVE MONTHS
                         ENDED          ----------------------------------------------------
                 SEPTEMBER 30, 1994     1993        1992        1991        1990        1989
                 ------------------     ----        ----        ----        ----        ----

<S>                  <C>               <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>      
RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO
FIXED CHARGES        2.13              1.92         --(1)       --(2)(3)    --(4)       1.84

RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO
FIXED CHARGES
AND PREFERRED
STOCK DIVIDENDS      1.96             1.83          --(1)       --(2)(3)    --(4)       1.76
- -------------------------                                                       
</TABLE>
(1)  For the year ended December 31, 1992, fixed charges exceeded earnings by
     $441 million.  Earnings as defined include a $520 million pre-tax loss on
     the settlement of MCV Power Purchases, $(15) million for potential
     customer refunds and other reserves related to 1992 but recorded in 1991,
     and $6 million relating to CMS Generation Company's reduction in its
     investment in The Oxford Energy Company.  The ratio of earnings to fixed
     charges and the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock
     dividends would have been 1.34 and 1.30, respectively, excluding these
     amounts.
(2)  Excludes an extraordinary after-tax loss of $14 million.
(3)  For the year ended December 31, 1991, fixed charges exceeded earnings by
     $356 million.  Earnings as defined include pre-tax losses of $398 million
     for write-downs and reserve amounts related to Consumers' abandonment of
     the construction of a nuclear generating station in Midland, Michigan
     ("Midland Construction"), $76 million for potential customer refunds and
     other reserves, and $51 million relating to CMS Generation Company's
     reduction in its investment in The Oxford Energy Company.  The ratio of
     earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
     preferred stock dividends would have been 1.48 and 1.45, respectively,
     excluding these amounts.
(4)  For the year ended December 31, 1990, fixed charges exceeded earnings by
     $500 million.  Earnings as defined include pre-tax losses of $847 million
     for write-downs and reserve amounts related to the abandonment of the
     Midland Construction.  The ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the
     ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends would
     have been 2.01 and 1.96, respectively, excluding these amounts.

     For the purpose of computing such ratios, earnings represent net income
before income taxes, net interest charges and the estimated interest portion of
lease rentals.





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   9

                           DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

DEBT SECURITIES

     The Senior Debt Securities will be issued under an Indenture, as amended
and supplemented (the "Senior Debt Indenture"), between CMS Energy and NBD
Bank, N.A., as Trustee (the "Senior Debt Trustee"), and the Subordinated Debt
Securities will be issued under an Indenture (the "Subordinated Debt
Indenture"), between CMS Energy and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., as Trustee
(the "Subordinated Debt Trustee").  The descriptions of the provisions of the
Debt Securities, the Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture
contained herein are brief summaries of such provisions and do not purport to
be complete.  The forms of the Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt
Indenture are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part, and reference is made thereto for the respective
definitive provisions of such Indentures.  The descriptions herein are
qualified in their entirety by such reference.  Certain capitalized terms used
herein shall have the meanings respectively set forth in the respective
Indentures.

     GENERAL

     CMS Energy will offer under this Prospectus unsecured Debt Securities, any
of which may be issued as:  (a) Senior Debt Securities; or (b) Subordinated
Debt Securities.  The terms of any Debt Securities may or may not restrict the
issuance by CMS Energy or its subsidiaries of additional indebtedness which is
secured, unsecured, senior, pari passu or subordinated to such Debt Securities.

     CMS Energy is a holding company and its assets consist primarily of
investment in its subsidiaries.  The Debt Securities will be obligations
exclusively of CMS Energy.  CMS Energy's ability to service its indebtedness,
including the Debt Securities, is dependent primarily upon the earnings of its
subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment of such earnings to CMS
Energy in the form of dividends, loans or advances, and repayment of loans and
advances from CMS Energy.  The subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal
entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts
due pursuant to the Debt Securities or to make any funds available therefor,
whether by dividends, loans or other payments.  See "Primary Source of Funds of
CMS Energy; Restrictions on Sources of Dividends" below.

     A substantial portion of the consolidated liabilities of CMS Energy have
been incurred by its subsidiaries.  Therefore, CMS Energy's rights and the
rights of its creditors, including holders of Debt Securities, to participate
in the distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon the latter's liquidation
or reorganization will be subject to prior claims of the subsidiary's
creditors, including trade creditors, except to the extent that CMS Energy may
itself be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary (in which
case the claims of CMS Energy would still be subject to the prior claims of any
secured creditor of such subsidiary and of any holder of indebtedness of such
subsidiary that is senior to that held by CMS Energy).  As of September 30,
1994, CMS Energy's subsidiaries had total indebtedness for borrowed money
(excluding intercompany indebtedness) of approximately $2.2 billion.

     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth the following terms
relating to the Debt Securities offered thereby (the "Offered Debt
Securities"):  (1) the specific designation of the Offered Debt Securities and
whether such Offered Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated
Debt Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Offered
Debt Securities; (3) the date or dates, if any (and whether fixed or
extendible), on which the Offered Debt Securities will mature; (4) the rate or
rates per annum (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Offered Debt
Securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates on which any such
interest will be payable and the regular record dates for any interest payable
on the Offered Debt Securities; (5) the place or places where the principal of
and any interest on the Offered Debt Securities shall be payable and where such
Offered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange;
(6) any provisions relating to the issuance of the Offered Debt Securities at
an original issue discount; (7) the option, if any, of CMS Energy to redeem the
Offered Debt Securities and the periods within which or the dates on which, the
prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which, such Offered Debt
Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, upon the exercise of such
option; (8) the obligation, if any of CMS Energy to redeem such Offered Debt
Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or other mandatory redemption
provisions or at the option of the holder and the periods within which or the
dates on which, the prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which
such Offered Debt Securities will be redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to
such obligation; (9) the obligation, if any, of CMS Energy to permit the
conversion of the Offered Debt Securities into CMS Energy





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   10

Common Stock, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be
effected; (10) the denominations in which such Offered Debt Securities will be
issued and whether the Offered Debt Securities will be issuable in registered
form or bearer form or both, and, if issuable in bearer form, the restrictions
as to the offer, sale and delivery of the Offered Debt Securities in bearer
form and as to exchanges between registered and bearer form; (11) whether the
Offered Debt Securities will be issuable in the form of one or more temporary
or permanent global securities and, if so, the identity of the depository for
such global securities; (12) whether and under what circumstances CMS Energy
will pay additional amounts with respect to the Offered Debt Securities to a
non-United States Person (as defined in such Prospectus Supplement) on account
of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so,
whether CMS Energy will have the option to redeem such Offered Debt Securities
rather than pay such additional amounts; (13) any provisions which could afford
holders of the Offered Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly
leveraged transaction involving CMS Energy; and (14) any other terms of the
Offered Debt Securities not inconsistent with the Indenture, including
covenants and events of default relating solely to the Offered Debt Securities.
Debt Securities may be issued at a substantial discount from the stated
principal amount thereof ("Original Issue Discount Securities").  United States
federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable
thereto or to other Offered Debt Securities offered and sold at par which are
treated as having been issued at a discount for United State federal income tax
purposes will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

     CONCERNING THE TRUSTEES

     Each of NBD Bank, N.A., the Trustee under the Senior Debt Indenture, and
The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., the Trustee under the Subordinated Debt
Indenture, is one of a number of banks with which CMS Energy and its
subsidiaries maintain ordinary banking relationships, including credit
facilities.  The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., is the trustee under the GTN
Indenture (as defined herein).

     SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

     General.  The Senior Debt Securities will be issuable under the Senior
Debt Indenture.  The Senior Debt Indenture does not limit the aggregate
principal amount of Senior Debt Securities which may be issued thereunder.
Senior Debt Securities may be issued under the Senior Debt Indenture from time
to time in one or more series.  Each series of Senior Debt Securities shall
mature on a date not less than 9 months nor more than 40 years after the date
of issuance. Capitalized terms used in this section "Senior Debt Securities"
and not otherwise specifically defined in this Prospectus shall have the
meanings respectively set forth in the Senior Debt Indenture.

     Exchange and Transfer.  Senior Debt Securities may be presented for
exchange and registered Senior Debt Securities may be presented for
registration of transfer at the offices and subject to the restrictions set
forth therein and in the applicable Prospectus Supplement without service
charge, but upon payment of any taxes or other governmental charges due in
connection therewith, subject to any applicable limitations contained in the
Senior Debt Indenture.  Senior Debt Securities in bearer form and the coupons
appertaining thereto, if any, will be transferable by delivery.

     Payment.  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, payment of the principal of and the premium and interest, if any,
on all Senior Debt Securities in registered form will be made at the office or
agency of the Senior Debt Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New
York, except that, at the option of CMS Energy, payment of any interest may be
made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such
address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer to an
account maintained by the person entitled thereto as specified in the Security
Register.  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
payment of any interest due on Senior Debt Securities in registered form will
be made to the Persons in whose name such Senior Debt Securities are registered
at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest payments.

     Events of Default.  The occurrence of any of the following events with
respect to the Senior Debt Securities of any series will constitute an "Event
of Default" with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of such series:  (a)
default for 30 days in the payment of any interest on any of the Senior Debt
Securities of such series; (b) default in the payment when due of any of the
principal of or the premium, if any, on any of the Senior Debt Securities of
such series, whether at maturity, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise;
(c) default in the deposit or payment of any sinking fund or analogous payment
in respect of any Senior Debt Securities of such series; (d) default for 60
days by CMS Energy in the observance or performance of any other covenant or
agreement contained in the Senior Debt Indenture relating to the Senior Debt
Securities of such series after written notice thereof as provided in the
Senior Debt Indenture; (e) certain





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   11

events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to CMS Energy; (f)
entry of final judgments against CMS Energy or Consumers aggregating in excess
of $25,000,000 which remain undischarged or unbonded for 60 days; or (g) a
default resulting in the acceleration of indebtedness in excess of $25,000,000,
which acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 10 days after
notice of such default.  Additional Events of Default may be prescribed for the
benefit of the Holders of a particular series of Senior Debt Securities and
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Senior Debt
Securities.

     If an Event of Default on any series of Senior Debt Securities shall have
occurred and be continuing, either the Senior Debt Trustee or the Holders of
not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities
of such series then Outstanding may declare the principal of all Senior Debt
Securities of such series and the interest, if any, accrued thereon to be due
and payable immediately.

     Upon certain conditions, any such declarations may be rescinded and
annulled if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated
principal, with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of all such affected
series then Outstanding shall have been cured or waived as provided in the
Senior Debt Indenture by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Senior Debt Securities of the affected series then Outstanding.

     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to any series of
Original Issue Discount Securities for the particular provisions relating to
the acceleration of a portion of the principal amount thereof upon the
occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default with respect thereto.

     The Senior Debt Indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the Senior
Debt Trustee to act with the requisite standard of care in case a default with
respect to a series of Senior Debt Securities shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Senior Debt Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any
of its rights or powers under the Senior Debt Indenture at the request, order
or direction of the Holders of the Senior Debt Securities, unless such Holders
shall have offered to the Senior Debt Trustee reasonable indemnity.  Subject to
such provisions for indemnity and certain other limitations contained in the
Senior Debt Indenture, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Senior Debt Securities of each affected series then Outstanding (voting
as one class) will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Senior Debt Trustee,
or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Senior Debt Trustee, with
respect to the Senior Debt Securities of such affected series.

     The Senior Debt Indenture provides that no Holder of Senior Debt
Securities may institute any action against CMS Energy under the Senior Debt
Indenture (except actions for payment of overdue principal, premium or
interest) unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Senior Debt
Trustee written notice of default and continuance thereof and unless the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt
Securities of the affected series then Outstanding (voting as one class) shall
have requested the Senior Debt Trustee to institute such action and shall have
offered the Senior Debt Trustee reasonable indemnity, the Senior Debt Trustee
shall not have instituted such action within 60 days of such request and the
Senior Debt Trustee shall not have received direction inconsistent with such
request by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Senior Debt Securities of the affected series then Outstanding (voting as one
class).

     The Senior Debt Indenture requires CMS Energy to furnish to the Senior
Debt Trustee annually a statement as to CMS Energy's compliance with all
conditions and covenants under the Senior Debt Indenture.  The Senior Debt
Indenture provides that the Senior Debt Trustee may withhold notice to the
Holders of the Senior Debt Securities of any series of any default affecting
such series (except defaults as to payment of principal, premium or interest on
the Senior Debt Securities of such series) if it considers such withholding to
be in the interests of the Holders of the Senior Debt Securities of such
series.

     Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets.  The Senior Debt Indenture
provides that CMS Energy may consolidate with or merge into, or sell, lease or
convey its property as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to, any
other corporation if such corporation assumes the obligations of CMS Energy
under the Senior Debt Securities and the Senior Debt Indenture and is organized
and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof
or the District of Columbia.

     Modification of the Senior Debt Indenture.  The Senior Debt Indenture
permits CMS Energy and the Senior Debt Trustee to enter into supplemental
indentures thereto without the consent of the Holders of the Senior Debt
Securities to:





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   12

(a) secure the Senior Debt Securities of one or more series, (b) evidence the
assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of CMS Energy under
the Senior Debt Indenture and the Senior Debt Securities then Outstanding, (c)
add covenants for the protection of the Holders of the Senior Debt Securities,
(d) cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in the Senior Debt
Indenture, (e) establish the form and terms of any series of securities under
the Senior Debt Indenture and (f) evidence the acceptance of appointment by a
successor Senior Debt Trustee.

     The Senior Debt Indenture also permits CMS Energy and the Senior Debt
Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities of all series then
Outstanding and affected (voting as one class), to add any provisions to, or
change in any manner or eliminate any of the provisions of, the Senior Debt
Indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Senior Debt
Securities of each such affected series; provided, however, that CMS Energy and
the Senior Debt Trustee may not, without the consent of the Holder of each Debt
Security then outstanding and affected thereby:  (a) change the time of payment
of the principal (or any installment) of any Debt Security, or reduce the
principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest thereon, or reduce the amount payable on any Original Issue Discount
Securities upon acceleration or provable in bankruptcy, or impair the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any Debt Security when
due; or (b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Senior Debt
Securities of the affected series, the consent of whose Holders is required for
any such modification or for any waiver provided for in the Senior Debt
Indenture.

     Prior to the acceleration of the maturity of any Debt Security, the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt
Securities of all series at the time Outstanding with respect to which a
default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (voting as
one class) may on behalf of the Holders of all such affected Senior Debt
Securities waive any past default or Event of Default and its consequences,
except a default or an Event of Default in respect of a covenant or provision
of the Senior Debt Indenture or of any Debt Security which cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Debt Security affected.

     Defeasance and Discharge.  The Senior Debt Indenture provides that, at the
option of CMS Energy:  (a) CMS Energy will be discharged from any and all
obligations in respect of the Senior Debt Securities of a particular series
then Outstanding (except for certain obligations to register the transfer of or
exchange the Senior Debt Securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or
mutilated Senior Debt Securities of such series, to maintain paying agencies
and to maintain the trust described below), or (b) CMS Energy need not comply
with certain restrictive covenants of the Senior Debt Indenture (including
those described under "Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets"), in each case
if CMS Energy irrevocably deposits in trust with the Senior Debt Trustee money,
and/or securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States
which, through the payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon in
accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay
all the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Debt
Securities of such series on the stated maturity of such Senior Debt Securities
(which may include one or more redemption dates designated by CMS Energy) in
accordance with the terms thereof.  To exercise such option, CMS Energy is
required, among other things, to deliver to the Senior Debt Trustee an opinion
of independent counsel to the effect that the exercise of such option would not
cause the Holders of the Senior Debt Securities of such series to recognize
income, gain or loss for United States Federal income tax purposes as a result
of such defeasance, and such Holders will be subject to United States Federal
income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred, and, in the case
of a discharge as described in clause (a) of the preceding sentence, such
opinion is to be accompanied by a private letter ruling to the same effect
received from the Internal Revenue Service, a revenue ruling to such effect
pertaining to a comparable form of transaction published by the Internal
Revenue Service or appropriate evidence that since the date of the Senior Debt
Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law.

     In the event CMS Energy exercises its option to terminate its obligations
with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of any series as described in the
preceding paragraph and the Senior Debt Securities of such series are
thereafter declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of
Default other than an Event of Default caused by failing to comply with the
covenants which are defeased, and the amount of money and securities on deposit
with the Senior Debt Trustee would be insufficient to pay amounts due on the
Senior Debt Securities of such series at the time of their accelerated
maturity, CMS Energy would remain liable for such amounts.

     CMS Energy may also obtain a discharge of the Senior Debt Indenture with
respect to all Senior Debt Securities then Outstanding (except for certain
obligations to register the transfer of or exchange such Senior Debt Securities
to





                                      -9-
<PAGE>   13

replace stolen, lost or mutilated Senior Debt Securities, to maintain paying
agencies and to maintain the trust described below) by irrevocably depositing
in trust with the Senior Debt Trustee money, and/or securities backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States which, through the payment of the
principal thereof and the interest thereon in accordance with their terms, will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and premium,
if any and interest on the Senior Debt Securities on the stated maturities
thereof (including one or more redemption dates), provided that such Senior
Debt Securities are by their terms due and payable, or are to be called for
redemption, within one year.

It is possible that for federal income tax purposes any deposit contemplated in
the preceding paragraph could be treated as a taxable exchange of the related
Senior Debt Securities for an issue of obligations of the trust or a direct
interest in the cash and securities held in the trust.  In that case, Holders
of such Senior Debt Securities would recognize gain or loss as if the trust
obligations or the cash or securities deposited, as the case may be, had
actually been received by them in exchange for their Senior Debt Securities. 
Such gain or loss may be capital in nature to holders for whom the Senior Debt
Securities are held as capital assets subject to the possible application of
the market discount rules and other limitations.  After such a taxable
exchange, Holders would be required to  include in income a share of the
income, gain or loss of the trust or the income from the securities held in
trust, as the case may be.  The amount so required to be included in income
could be different from the amount that would be includible in the absence of
such deposit.  Prospective investors are urged to  consult their own tax
advisors as to the specific consequences to them of such deposit.

     SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

     General.  The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issuable under the
Subordinated Debt Indenture.  The Subordinated Debt Indenture does not limit
the aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities which may be
issued thereunder.  Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued under the 
Subordinated Debt Indenture from time to time in one or more
series.  Capitalized terms used in this section "Subordinated Debt Securities"
and not otherwise specifically defined in this Prospectus shall have the
meanings respectively set forth in the Subordinated Debt Indenture.

     Exchange and Transfer.  Subordinated Debt Securities may be presented
for exchange and registered Subordinated Debt Securities may be presented for
registration of transfer at the offices and subject to the restrictions set
forth therein and in the applicable Prospectus Supplement without service
charge, but upon payment of any taxes or other governmental charges due in
connection  therewith, subject to any applicable limitations contained in the
Subordinated Debt Indenture.  Subordinated Debt Securities in bearer form and
the coupons appertaining thereto, if any, will be transferable by delivery.

     Payment.  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, payment of the principal of and the premium and interest, if any,
on all Subordinated Debt Securities (other than a Registered Global Security)
in registered form will be made at the office or agency of the Subordinated
Debt Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, except that, at
the option of CMS Energy, payment of any interest may be made (i) by check
mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall
appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer to an account
maintained by the person entitled thereto as specified in the Security
Register.  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
payment of any interest due on Subordinated Debt Securities in registered form
will be made to the Persons in whose name such Subordinated Debt Securities are
registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest
payments.

     Events of Default.  The occurrence of any of the following events with
respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series will constitute an
"Event of Default" with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such
series:  (a) default for 30 days in the payment of any interest on any of the
Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, however, if CMS Energy is
permitted by the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities, of the applicable
series to defer the payment in question, the date on which such payment is due
and payable shall be the date on which CMS Energy is required to make payment
following such deferral, if such deferral has been elected pursuant to the
terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities; (b) default in the payment when due
of any of the principal of or the premium, if any, on any of the Subordinated
Debt Securities of such series, whether at maturity, upon redemption,
acceleration or otherwise, however, if CMS Energy is permitted by the terms of
the Subordinated Debt Securities, of the applicable series to defer the payment
in question, the date on which such payment is due and payable shall be the
date on which CMS Energy is required to make payment following such deferral,
if such deferral has been elected pursuant to the terms of the Subordinated
Debt Securities; (c) default in the deposit or payment of any sinking fund or
analogous payment in respect of any Subordinated Debt Securities of such
series; (d) default for 60 days by CMS Energy in the observance or





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   14

performance of any other covenant or agreement contained in the Subordinated
Debt Indenture relating to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series
after written notice thereof as provided in the Subordinated Debt Indenture;
(e) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to CMS
Energy; (f) entry of final judgments against CMS Energy or Consumers
aggregating in excess of $25,000,000 which remain undischarged or unbonded for
60 days; or (g) a default resulting in the acceleration of indebtedness in
excess of $25,000,000, which acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled
within 10 days after notice of such default.  Additional Events of Default may
be prescribed for the benefit of the Holders of a particular series of
Subordinated Debt Securities and will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such Subordinated Debt Securities.

     If an Event of Default on any series of Subordinated Debt Securities shall
have occurred and be continuing, either the Subordinated Debt Trustee or the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding may declare the principal of
all Subordinated Debt Securities of such series and the interest, if any,
accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately.

     Upon certain conditions, any such declarations may be rescinded and
annulled if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated
principal, with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of all such
affected series then Outstanding shall have been cured or waived as provided in
the Subordinated Debt Indenture by the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of the affected series
then Outstanding.

     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to any series of
Original Issue Discount Securities for the particular provisions relating to
the acceleration of a portion of the principal amount thereof upon the
occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default with respect thereto.

     The Subordinated Debt Indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the
Subordinated Debt Trustee to act with the requisite standard of care in case a
default with respect to a series of Subordinated Debt Securities shall have
occurred and be continuing, the Subordinated Debt Trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Subordinated Debt
Indenture at the request, order or direction of the Holders of the Subordinated
Debt Securities, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Subordinated
Debt Trustee reasonable indemnity.  Subject to such provisions for indemnity
and certain other limitations contained in the Subordinated Debt Indenture, the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt
Securities of each affected series then Outstanding (voting as one class) will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Subordinated Debt Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Subordinated Debt Trustee, with
respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such affected series.

     The Subordinated Debt Indenture provides that no Holder of Subordinated
Debt Securities may institute any action against CMS Energy under the
Subordinated Debt Indenture (except actions for payment of overdue principal,
premium or interest) unless such Holder previously shall have given to the
Subordinated Debt Trustee written notice of default and continuance thereof and
unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Subordinated Debt Securities of the affected series then Outstanding (voting as
one class) shall have requested the Subordinated Debt Trustee to institute such
action and shall have offered the Subordinated Debt Trustee reasonable
indemnity, the Subordinated Debt Trustee shall not have instituted such action
within 60 days of such request and the Subordinated Debt Trustee shall not have
received direction inconsistent with such request by the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of the
affected series then Outstanding (voting as one class).

     The Subordinated Debt Indenture requires CMS Energy to furnish to the
Subordinated Debt Trustee annually a statement as to CMS Energy's compliance
with all conditions and covenants under the Subordinated Debt Indenture.  The
Subordinated Debt Indenture provides that the Subordinated Debt Trustee may
withhold notice to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any
series of any default affecting such series (except defaults as to payment of
principal, premium or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such
series) if it considers such withholding to be in the interests of the Holders
of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series.

     Subordination.  The Subordinated Debt Indenture provides (and each holder
of Subordinated Debt Securities by acceptance thereof agrees) that the
Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of CMS Energy and pari passu
with CMS Energy's trade creditors. No payment on account of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities and no
acquisition of, or





                                      -11-
<PAGE>   15

payment on account of any sinking fund for, the Subordinated Debt Securities
may be made unless full payment of amounts then due for principal, premium, if
any, and interest then due on all Senior Indebtedness by reason of the maturity
thereof (by lapse of time, acceleration or otherwise) has been made or duly
provided for in cash or in a manner satisfactory to the Holders of such Senior
Indebtedness. In addition, the Subordinated Debt Indenture provides that if a
default has occurred giving the holders of such Senior Indebtedness the right
to accelerate the maturity thereof, or an event has occurred which, with the
giving of notice, or lapse of time, or both, would constitute such an event of
default, then unless and until such event shall have been cured or waived or
shall have ceased to exist, no payment on account of principal, premium, if
any, or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities and no acquisition of, or
payment on account of a sinking fund for, the Subordinated Debt Securities may
be made. CMS Energy shall give prompt written notice to the Subordinated Debt
Trustee of any default under any Senior Indebtedness or under any agreement
pursuant to which Senior Indebtedness may have been issued. The Subordinated
Debt Indenture provisions described in this paragraph, however, do not prevent
CMS Energy from making a sinking fund payment with Subordinated Debt Securities
acquired prior to the maturity of Senior Indebtedness or, in the case of
default, prior to such default and notice thereof. Upon any distribution of its
assets in connection with any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or
reorganization of CMS Energy, whether voluntary or involuntary, in bankruptcy,
insolvency or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of
creditors or otherwise, all Senior Indebtedness must be paid in full before the
Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities are entitled to any payments
whatsoever.  Any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other
property, which would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be
payable or deliverable in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities shall be
paid or delivered directly to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their
representative or trustee) in accordance with the priorities then existing
among such holders until all Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full
before any payment or distribution is made to the holders of Subordinated Debt
Securities.  In the event that notwithstanding such subordination
provisions,any payment or distribution of assets of any kind or character is
made on the Subordinated Debt Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid
in full, the Subordinated Debt Trustee or the holders of Subordinated Debt
Securities receiving such payment will be required to pay over such payment or
distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.  The rights of the
holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be subrogated to the rights of
the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions
applicable to Senior Indebtedness until all amounts owing on the Subordinated
Debt Securities are paid in full.  As a result of these subordination
provisions, in the event of CMS Energy's insolvency, holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities may recover ratably less than senior creditors of
CMS Energy.

         "Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of and premium, if any, and
     interest on the following, whether outstanding on the date of execution of
     the Subordinated Debt Indenture or thereafter incurred, created or
     assumed: (i) indebtedness of CMS Energy for money borrowed by CMS Energy
     (including purchase money obligations) or evidenced by debentures (other
     than the Subordinated Debt Securities), notes, bankers' acceptances or
     other corporate debt securities or similar instruments issued by CMS
     Energy; (ii) obligations with respect to letters of credit; (iii) all
     indebtedness of others of the type referred to in the preceding clauses
     (i) and (ii) assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by CMS Energy or in
     effect guaranteed by CMS Energy; or (iv) renewals, extensions or
     refundings of any of the indebtedness referred to in the preceding clauses
     (i), (ii) and (iii) unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness,
     renewal, extension or refunding, under the express provisions of the
     instrument creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee
     of the same, or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, such
     indebtedness or such renewal, extension or refunding thereof is not
     superior in right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities.

     The Subordinated Debt Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of
Senior Indebtedness that may be issued.  As of September 30, 1994, Senior
Indebtedness of CMS Energy aggregated approximately $539 million.

     Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets.  The Subordinated Debt Indenture
provides that CMS Energy may consolidate with or merge into, or sell, lease or
convey its property as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to, any
other corporation if such corporation assumes the obligations of CMS Energy
under the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Indenture and
is organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any
state thereof or the District of Columbia.

     Modification of the Subordinated Debt Indenture.  The Subordinated Debt
Indenture permits CMS Energy and the Subordinated Debt Trustee to enter into
supplemental indentures thereto without the consent of the Holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities to:  (a) secure the Subordinated Debt Securities
of one or more series, (b) evidence the assumption by a successor corporation
of the obligations of CMS Energy under the Subordinated Debt Indenture and the





                                      -12-
<PAGE>   16

Subordinated Debt Securities then Outstanding, (c) add covenants for the
protection of the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities, (d) cure any
ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in the Subordinated Debt Indenture, (e)
establish the form and terms of any series of securities under the Subordinated
Debt Indenture and (f) evidence the acceptance of appointment by a successor
Subordinated Debt Trustee.

     The Subordinated Debt Indenture also permits CMS Energy and the
Subordinated Debt Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of
all series then Outstanding and affected (voting as one class), to add any
provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any of the provisions of,
the Subordinated Debt Indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the
Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of each such affected series;
provided, however, that CMS Energy and the Subordinated Debt Trustee may not,
without the consent of the Holder of each Debt Security then outstanding and
affected thereby: (a) change the time of payment of the principal (or any
installment) of any Debt Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or
reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce
the amount payable on any Original Issue Discount Securities upon acceleration
or provable in bankruptcy, or impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on any Debt Security when due; or (b) reduce the
percentage in principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of the
affected series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such
modification or for any waiver provided for in the Subordinated Debt Indenture.

     Prior to the acceleration of the maturity of any Debt Security, the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt
Securities of all series at the time Outstanding with respect to which a
default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (voting as
one class) may on behalf of the Holders of all such affected Subordinated Debt
Securities waive any past default or Event of Default and its consequences,
except a default or an Event of Default in respect of a covenant or provision
of the Subordinated Debt Indenture or of any Debt Security which cannot be
modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Debt Security
affected.

     Defeasance and Discharge.  The Subordinated Debt Indenture provides that,
at the option of CMS Energy:  (a) CMS Energy will be discharged from any and
all obligations in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities of a particular
series then Outstanding (except for certain obligations to register the
transfer of or exchange the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, to
replace stolen, lost or mutilated Subordinated Debt Securities of such series,
to maintain paying agencies and to maintain the trust described below), or (b)
CMS Energy need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture (including those described under "Consolidation,
Merger or Sale of Assets"), in each case if CMS Energy irrevocably deposits in
trust with the Subordinated Debt Trustee money, and/or securities backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States which, through the payment of the
principal thereof and the interest thereon in accordance with their terms, will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and premium,
if any, and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series on the
stated maturity of such Subordinated Debt Securities (which may include one or
more redemption dates designated by CMS Energy) in accordance with the terms
thereof.  To exercise such option, CMS Energy is required, among other things,
to deliver to the Subordinated Debt Trustee an opinion of independent counsel
to the effect that the exercise of such option would not cause the Holders of
the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series to recognize income, gain or
loss for United States Federal income tax purposes as a result of such
defeasance, and such Holders will be subject to United States Federal income
tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have
been the case if such defeasance had not occurred, and, in the case of a
discharge as described in clause (a) of the preceding sentence, such opinion is
to be accompanied by a private letter ruling to the same effect received from
the Internal Revenue Service, a revenue ruling to such effect pertaining to a
comparable form of transaction published by the Internal Revenue Service or
appropriate evidence that since the date of the Subordinated Debt Indenture
there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law.

     In the event CMS Energy exercises its option to terminate its obligations
with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series as described in
the preceding paragraph and the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series are
thereafter declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of
Default other than an Event of Default caused by failing to comply with the
covenants which are defeased, and the amount of money and securities on deposit
with the Subordinated Debt Trustee would be insufficient to pay amounts due on
the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series at the time of their
accelerated maturity, CMS Energy would remain liable for such amounts.

     CMS Energy may also obtain a discharge of the Subordinated Debt Indenture
with respect to all Subordinated Debt Securities then Outstanding (except for
certain obligations to register the transfer of or exchange such Subordinated





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   17

Debt Securities to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Subordinated Debt
Securities, to maintain paying agencies and to maintain the trust described
below) by irrevocably depositing in trust with the Subordinated Debt Trustee
money, and/or securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States which, through the payment of the principal thereof and the interest
thereon in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay all the principal of and premium, if any and interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities on the stated maturities thereof (including one or
more redemption dates), provided that such Subordinated Debt Securities are by
their terms due and payable, or are to be called for redemption, within one
year.

     It is possible that for federal income tax purposes any deposit
contemplated in the preceding paragraph could be treated as a taxable exchange
of the related Subordinated Debt Securities for an issue of obligations of the
trust or a direct interest in the cash and securities held in the trust.  In
that case, Holders of such Subordinated Debt Securities would recognize gain or
loss as if the trust obligations or the cash or securities deposited, as the
case may be, had actually been received by them in exchange for their
Subordinated Debt Securities.  Such gain or loss may be capital in nature to
holders for whom the Subordinated Debt Securities are held as capital assets
subject to the possible application of the market discount rules and other
limitations.  After such a taxable exchange, Holders would be required to
include in income a share of the income, gain or loss of the trust or the
income from the securities held in trust, as the case may be.  The amount so
required to be included in income could be different from the amount that would
be includible in the absence of such deposit.  Prospective investors are urged
to consult their own tax advisors as to the specific consequences to them of
such deposit.

CAPITAL STOCK

     GENERAL

     The Articles of Incorporation of CMS Energy, as amended (the "Articles of
Incorporation"), currently authorize 255 million shares of capital stock, of
which 250 million are shares of CMS Energy Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share, and five million are shares of CMS Energy Preferred Stock, par value
$.01 per share.  At February 10, 1995, there were outstanding 86,562,096 shares
of CMS Energy Common Stock; no shares of CMS Energy Preferred Stock are issued
or outstanding.  The outstanding shares of the CMS Energy Common Stock are
fully paid and nonassessable and the CMS Energy Common Stock offered hereby,
when issued and paid for, will be fully paid and nonassessable.

     On February 14, 1994, CMS Energy mailed proxy statements to its
shareholders seeking their approval to amend (the "Charter Amendment") its
Articles of Incorporation to (1) authorize 60 million shares, no par value, of
a new class of Common Stock of CMS Energy designated Class G Common Stock
("Class G Common Stock") and (2) to increase the authorized number of shares of
CMS Energy Preferred Stock to 10 million.  The CMS Energy Common Stock and the
Class G Common Stock are together referred to herein as the "Common Stock."
The Charter Amendment will not become effective until CMS Energy files a
Certificate of Amendment (the "Certificate of Amendment") relating thereto with
the Michigan Department of Commerce.  The proposed new class of Common Stock is
intended to reflect the separate performance of the gas distribution, storage
and transportation businesses conducted by Consumers and Michigan Gas Storage,
a subsidiary of Consumers (such businesses, collectively, will be attributed to
the "Consumers Gas Group").  Effective January 1, 1995, the management and
operations of the Consumers Gas Group were reorganized as a business unit
separate from the electric utility operations of the Consumers.  The
reorganization is intended to sharpen management focus, improve efficiency and
accountability in both business segments and better position Consumers for
growth in the gas market and to meet increased competition in the electric
power market.  The existing CMS Energy Common Stock will continue to be
outstanding and, if and after any shares of Class G Common Stock are issued by
CMS Energy, will reflect the performance of all of the businesses of CMS Energy
and its subsidiaries, including the business of the Consumers Gas Group, except
for the interest in the Consumers Gas Group attributable to the outstanding
shares of the Class G Common Stock.  As of the date of this Prospectus, the
shareholders of CMS Energy have not yet approved the Charter Amendment
proposal.  Following approval of the Charter Amendment proposal by the
shareholders, and after the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is
a part has become effective, CMS Energy may, subject to prevailing market and
other conditions, offer shares of Class G Common Stock for sale for cash in an
initial public offering.  The net proceeds of such offering would be invested
in the businesses of CMS Energy and used for its general corporate purposes.
Initially, such proceeds will be used to repay a portion of the debt of CMS
Energy (none of which is attributable to the Consumers Gas Group).  The timing
and size of such public offering and the price at which such shares would be
sold would be determined by the Board of Directors without further approval of
the shareholders.





                                      -14-
<PAGE>   18

     CMS ENERGY COMMON STOCK

     The following outline of certain rights of the holders of Common Stock
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by express
reference to Article III of the Articles of Incorporation, the Certificate of
Amendment, the Senior Debt Indenture, Article VII of the Credit Agreement dated
as of July 29, 1994 (the "Credit Facility") among CMS Energy, Citibank, N.A.
and Union Bank as co-agents and certain banks named therein, Article 3 of CMS
Energy's Indenture dated as of January 15, 1994 (the "GTN Indenture") to The
Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., as Trustee, copies of which are filed as exhibits
to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.

     The shares of CMS Energy Common Stock may be issued from time to time as
the Board of Directors shall determine for such consideration as shall be fixed
by the Board of Directors.  Except as otherwise set forth in this Prospectus or
the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, each share of CMS Energy Common Stock
of CMS Energy shall be equal to every other share of said stock in every
respect.

     Dividend Rights.  The holders of the CMS Energy Common Stock are entitled
to receive dividends when and as declared by the Board of Directors of the CMS
Energy out of funds legally available therefor, subject to the terms of any CMS
Energy Preferred Stock which may in the future be issued and at the time be
outstanding.

     Voting Rights.  Each holder of CMS Energy Common Stock is entitled to one
vote for each share of CMS Energy Common Stock held by such holder on each
matter voted upon by the shareholders.  Such right to vote is not cumulative.
A majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon
is sufficient for the adoption of any question presented, except that certain
provisions of the Articles of Incorporation relating to special shareholder
meetings, the removal, indemnification and liability of the Board of Directors
and the requirements for amending these provisions may not be amended, altered,
changed or repealed unless such amendment, alteration, change or repeal is
approved by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote thereon.

     Preemptive Rights.  Holders of CMS Energy Common Stock have no preemptive
rights to subscribe for or purchase any additional shares of the capital stock
of CMS Energy of any class now or hereafter authorized, or any CMS Energy
Preferred Stock or other securities or other right or option convertible into
or exchangeable for or entitling the holder or owner to subscribe for or
purchase any shares of capital stock.

     Liquidation Rights.  The Board of Directors shall determine the rights, if
any, of the holders of CMS Energy Common Stock upon the voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or sale of assets,
dissolution or winding up of CMS Energy.

     Because CMS Energy has subsidiaries which have debt obligations and other
liabilities of their own, CMS Energy's rights and the rights of its creditors
and its stockholders to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the
latter's liquidation or recapitalization will be subject to prior claims of the
subsidiary's creditors, except to the extent that CMS Energy may itself be a
creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.

     Transfer Agent and Registrar.  CMS Energy Common Stock is transferable at
Consumers Power Company, 212 W. Michigan Avenue, Jackson, MI 49201.  The
registrar for CMS Energy Common Stock is Consumers Power Company.





                                      -15-
<PAGE>   19


COMPARISON OF RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS OF CMS ENERGY COMMON STOCK AND CLASS G
COMMON STOCK

     The following is a summary description and a comparison of the rights and
limitations appertaining to the CMS Energy Common Stock and the Class G Common
Stock before the issuance and sale in an initial public offering of the Class G
Common Stock, after filing and effectiveness of the Certificate of Amendment,
and after such issuance.  The Class G Common Stock is intended to reflect the
separate performance of the Consumers Gas Group and, after the initial public
offering of the Class G Common Stock, the CMS Energy Common Stock is intended
to reflect the performance of all businesses of CMS Energy and its
subsidiaries, including the businesses of the Consumers Gas Group, except for
the interest in the Consumers Gas Group attributable to the outstanding shares
of Class G Common Stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Before Issuance Of
                      Class G Common Stock                       After Issuance Of Class G Common Stock
                      --------------------                       --------------------------------------

                                                                                                         Class G
                      CMS Energy Common Stock        CMS Energy Common Stock                          Common Stock
                      -----------------------        -----------------------                          ------------
<S>                     <C>                          <C>                                            <C>
VOTING RIGHTS:          One vote per share            The holders of CMS Energy                     The holders of Class G        
                                                      Common Stock will vote with the               Common Stock will vote        
                                                      holders of Class G Common Stock               with the holders of CMS       
                                                      as a single class, except on                  Energy Common Stock as a      
                                                      matters which would be required               single class, except on       
                                                      by law or the Articles of                     matters which would   
                                                      Incorporation to be voted on by               be required by law or the      
                                                      The CMS Energy Common                         Articles of Incorporation     
                                                      Stock will have one vote per share.           to be voted on by class.      
                                                                                                    The Class G Common Stock      
                                                                                                    will have one vote per share. 
                                                                                                                              
DIVIDENDS:              On November 22, 1994, CMS      On November 22, 1994, CMS                    Dividends on the Class G    
                        Energy paid a dividend         Energy paid a dividend of                    Common Stock will be paid   
                        of $.21 per share (an annual   $.21 per share (an annual                    at the discretion of the    
                        rate of $.84 per share)        rate of $.84 per share) on                   Board of Directors based    
                        on the CMS Energy Common       the CMS Energy Common Stock.                 primarily upon the          
                        Stock. Dividends are           The issuance of the Class G                  earnings and financial      
                        payable out of the assets      Common Stock is not expected                 condition of the            
                        of CMS Energy legally          to change the rate at which                  Consumers Gas Group, and,   
                        available therefor.            dividends will be paid on the                to a lesser extent, CMS     
                                                       CMS Energy Common Stock.                     Energy as a whole.          
                        See also "--Capital            Future dividends on the CMS                  Dividends will be payable   
                        Stock--Restrictions on         Energy Common Stock will be                  out of the lesser of (i)    
                        Payment of Dividends by        paid at the discretion of the                the assets of CMS Energy    
                        CMS Energy" and "--            Board of Directors based                     legally available           
                        Primary Source of Funds        primarily upon the earnings                  therefor and (ii) the       
                        of CMS Energy;                 and financial condition of                   Available Class G           
                        Restrictions on Sources        CMS Energy, including the                    Dividend Amount (as         
                        of Dividends."                 Consumers Gas Group, except                  defined in the              
                                                       for the interest in the                      Certificate of              
                                                       Consumers Gas Group                          Amendment).                 
                                                       attributable to the outstanding                                          
                                                       shares of the                                Dividends with respect to   
                                                       Class G Common Stock, and                    the Class G Common Stock    
                                                       other factors.  Dividends                    are expected to be paid     
                                                       will be payable out of the                   commensurate with           
                                                       assets of CMS Energy legally                 dividend practices of       
                                                       available therefor.                          comparable publicly-held local
                                                                                                    natural gas distribution 
                                                       CMS Energy, in the sole                      companies generally.  
                                                       discretion of its Board of                   Management believes that such  
                                                       Directors, could pay                         practices currently are 
                                                       dividends exclusively to the                 to pay out from 70% to 
                                                       holders of CMS Energy Common                 85% of annual earnings 
                                                       Stock, exclusively to the                    available for dividends 
                                                       holders of Class G Common                    on common stock.  
                                                       Stock, or to the holders of          
                                                       both of such classes in equal                CMS Energy, in the sole 
                                                       or unequal amounts.  It is                   discretion of its Board 
                                                       the Board of Directors'                      of Directors, could pay 
                                                       current intention that the                   dividends exclusively to the
                                                       declaration or payment of    
                                                          

</TABLE>

                                     -16-
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
<PAGE>   20

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Before Issuance Of
                      Class G Common Stock                       After Issuance Of Class G Common Stock
                      --------------------                       --------------------------------------

                                                                                                       Class G
                      CMS Energy Common Stock         CMS Energy Common Stock                        Common Stock
                      -----------------------         -----------------------                        ------------
<S>                   <C>                             <C>                                           <C>
                                                                                         
                                                      dividends with respect to the                 holders of CMS Energy     
                                                      Class G Common Stock shall                    Common Stock, exclusively       
                                                      not be reduced, suspended or                  to the holders of Class G       
                                                      eliminated as a result of                     Common Stock, or to the         
                                                      factors arising out of or                     holders of both of such         
                                                      relating to the electric                      classes in equal or 
                                                      utility business or the                       unequal amounts.  It is         
                                                      non-utility businesses of CMS                 the Board of Directors'         
                                                      Energy unless such factors                    current intention that 
                                                      also require, in the Board of                 the declaration or 
                                                      Directors' sole discretion,                   payment of dividends with       
                                                      the omission of the                           respect to the Class G      
                                                      declaration or reduction in                   Common Stock shall not be       
                                                      payment of dividends on both                  reduced, suspended or 
                                                      the CMS Energy Common Stock                   eliminated as a result of       
                                                      and the Class G Common Stock.                 factors arising out of or 
                                                                                                    relating to the electric 
                                                      See also "--Capital Stock--                   utility business or the 
                                                      Restrictions on Payment of                    non-utility businesses of    
                                                      Dividends by CMS Energy" and                  CMS Energy unless such factors 
                                                      "--Primary Source of Funds of                 also require, in the 
                                                      CMS Energy; Restrictions on                   Board of Directors' sole 
                                                      Sources of Dividends."                        discretion, the omission 
                                                                                                    of the declaration or 
                                                                                                    reduction in  payment of 
                                                                                                    dividends on both the 
                                                                                                    CMS Energy Common
                                                                                                    Stock and the Class G 
                                                                                                    Common Stock.
                                                          
                                                                                                    See also "--Capital Stock
                                                                                                    --Restrictions on Payment 
                                                                                                    of Dividends by CMS Energy" 
                                                                                                    and "-- Primary Source 
                                                                                                    of Funds of CMS Energy; 
                                                                                                    Restrictions on Sources of 
                                                                                                    Dividends."
                                                          
EXCHANGES:            None.                           None.                                         CMS Energy may exchange the 
                                                                                                    Class G Common Stock for a 
                                                                                                    proportionate number of 
                                                                                                    shares of a subsidiary 
                                                                                                    that holds all the assets and 
                                                                                                    liabilities attributed to the 
                                                                                                    Consumers Gas Group, 
                                                                                                    and no other assets and 
                                                                                                    liabilities.
                                                          
                                                                                                    If CMS Energy transfers
                                                                                                    all or substantially all
                                                                                                    of the properties and
                                                                                                    assets attributed to the
                                                                                                    Consumers Gas Group, CMS
                                                                                                    Energy is required,
                                                                                                    subject to certain
                                                                                                    exceptions and
                                                                                                    conditions, to exchange
                                                                                                    each outstanding share of
                                                                                                    Class G Common Stock for
                                                                                                    a number of shares of CMS
                                                                                                    Energy Common Stock
                                                                                                    having a Fair Market
                                                                                                    Value (defined in the
                                                                                                    Certificate of Amendment)
                                                                                                    equal to 110% of the Fair
                                                     
</TABLE>
                                     -17-
<PAGE>   21
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Before Issuance Of
                      Class G Common Stock                       After Issuance Of Class G Common Stock
                      --------------------                       --------------------------------------

                                                                                                         Class G
                      CMS Energy Common Stock        CMS Energy Common Stock                          Common Stock
                      -----------------------        -----------------------                          ------------
<S>                     <C>                                <C>                                      <C>
                                                                                                    Market Value of one share
                                                                                                    of Class G Common Stock.

                                                                                                    CMS Energy may, in the
                                                                                                    sole discretion of the
                                                                                                    Board of Directors, at
                                                                                                    any time, exchange each
                                                                                                    outstanding share of
                                                                                                    Class G Common Stock for
                                                                                                    a number of shares of CMS
                                                                                                    Energy Common Stock
                                                                                                    having a Fair Market
                                                                                                    Value equal to 115% of
                                                                                                    the Fair Market Value of
                                                                                                    one share of Class G
                                                                                                    Common Stock.

LIQUIDATION:            In the event of the                In the event of the                      In the event of the
                        liquidation of CMS                 liquidation of CMS Energy,               liquidation of CMS
                        Energy, the holders of             each outstanding share of CMS            Energy, each outstanding
                        CMS Energy Common Stock            Energy Common Stock will be              share of Class G Common
                        will receive the assets,           entitled to a portion of the             Stock will be entitled to
                        if any, remaining for              assets remaining for                     a portion of the assets
                        distribution to common             distribution to holders of               remaining for
                        shareholders.                      Common Stock equal to the                distribution to holders
                                                           amount of such assets divided            of Common Stock equal to
                                                           by the total number of shares            the amount of such assets
                                                           of CMS Energy Common Stock               divided by the total
                                                           and Class G Common Stock then            number of shares of CMS
                                                           outstanding.                             Energy Common Stock and
                                                                                                    Class G Common Stock then
                                                                                                    outstanding.
</TABLE>

     Under Michigan law, the approval of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of a class of Common Stock, voting as a separate class,
would be necessary for authorizing, effecting or validating the merger or
consolidation of CMS Energy into or with any other corporation if such merger
or consolidation would adversely affect the powers or special rights of such
class of stock, and to authorize any amendment to the Articles of Incorporation
that would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of
such class or alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the
shares of such class so as to affect them adversely.  The Articles of
Incorporation also provide that unless the vote or consent of a greater number
of shares shall then be required by law, the approval of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of either class of Common Stock, voting as a
separate class, will be necessary for authorizing, effecting or validating the
merger or consolidation of CMS Energy into or with any other corporation if
such merger or consolidation would adversely affect the powers or special
rights of such class of Common Stock, either directly by amendment to the
Articles of Incorporation or indirectly by requiring the holders of such class
to accept or retain, in such merger or consolidation, anything other than (i)
shares of such class or (ii) shares of the surviving or resulting corporation,
having, in either case, powers and special rights identical to those of such
class prior to such merger or consolidation.  In the event that there is more
than one class of Common Stock, the effect of these provisions may be to permit
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of either class of Common
Stock to block any such merger or amendment which would adversely affect the
powers or special rights of holders of such class of Common Stock.

     CMS ENERGY PREFERRED STOCK

     The shares of CMS Energy Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time
in one or more series with such relative rights and preferences of the shares
of any such series as may be determined by the Board of Directors.  The Board
of Directors is authorized to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to
the issuance of any shares of each particular series of CMS Energy Preferred
Stock, the designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions
thereof, if any, of such series, including, but without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, the following:





                                      -18-
<PAGE>   22

         (a)  The rate of dividend, if any;

         (b)  The price at and the terms and conditions upon which shares may
be redeemed;

         (c)  The rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the series upon
     voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution
     or sale of assets, dissolution or winding up of CMS Energy;

         (d)  Sinking fund or redemption or purchase provisions, if any, to be
provided for shares of the series;

         (e)  The terms and conditions upon which shares may be converted into
     shares of other series or other capital stock, if issued with the
     privilege of conversion; and

         (f)  The voting rights in the event of default in the payment of
     dividends or under such other circumstances and upon such conditions as
     the Board of Directors may determine.

     The specific terms of CMS Energy Preferred Stock will be described in
the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

     Unless otherwise provided in a Prospectus Supplement, no holder of any
shares of any series of CMS Energy Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote in
the election of directors or in respect of any other matter except as may be
required by the Michigan Business Corporation Act, as amended.

     Unless otherwise provided in a Prospectus Supplement, holders of CMS
Energy Preferred Stock will not have any preemptive rights to subscribe for or
purchase any additional shares of the capital stock of CMS Energy of any class
now or hereafter authorized, or any CMS Energy Preferred Stock or other
securities or other right or option convertible into or exchangeable for or
entitling the holder or owner to subscribe for or purchase any shares of
capital stock.  The future issuance of CMS Energy Preferred Stock may have the
effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of CMS Energy.

     RESTRICTIONS ON PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS BY CMS ENERGY

     CMS Energy is a legal entity separate and distinct from its various
subsidiaries.  As a holding company with no significant operations of its own,
the principal sources of its funds are dividends or other distributions from
its operating subsidiaries, in particular, Consumers, borrowings and sales of
equity.  The ability of Consumers and other subsidiaries of CMS Energy to pay
dividends or make distributions to CMS Energy, and, accordingly, the ability of
CMS Energy to pay dividends on its capital stock will depend on the earnings,
financial requirements, contractual restrictions of the subsidiaries of CMS
Energy, in particular, Consumers, and other factors.  See "Primary Source of
Funds of CMS Energy; Restrictions on Source of Dividends" below.

     Dividends on capital stock of CMS Energy are limited by Michigan law to
legally available assets of CMS Energy.  Distributions on Common Stock may be
subject to the rights of the holders, if any, of the CMS Energy Preferred
Stock.

     There are restrictions on CMS Energy's ability to pay dividends contained
in its Credit Facility, the Senior Debt Indenture and the GTN Indenture.

     The Credit Facility provides that CMS Energy will not, and will not permit
certain of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to (i) declare or pay any
cash dividend or distribution on the capital stock of CMS Energy or such
subsidiaries, or (ii) purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value
any such capital stock (a "Restricted Payment"), unless:  (1) no event of
default under the Credit Facility, or event that with the lapse of time or
giving of notice would constitute such an event of default, has occurred and is
continuing, and (2) after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment, the
aggregate amount of all such Restricted Payments since September 30, 1993 shall
not have exceeded the sum of:  (a) $120,000,000, (b) 100% of CMS Energy's
consolidated net income (as defined in the Senior Debt Indenture) since
September 30, 1993 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least
45 days prior to the





                                      -19-
<PAGE>   23

date of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such sum shall be a deficit, minus
100% of the deficit), and (c) any net proceeds (as defined in the Senior Debt
Indenture) received by CMS Energy for the issuance or sale of its capital stock
subsequent to September 30, 1993.  At September 30, 1994, CMS Energy could pay
cash dividends of $377 million pursuant to this restriction.

     The First and Second Supplemental Indentures to the Senior Debt Indenture,
pursuant to which CMS Energy's Series A Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due
October 1, 1997 and Series B Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due October 1, 1999
were issued, provide that so long as any of such Notes are outstanding, CMS
Energy will not, and will not permit certain of its subsidiaries, directly or
indirectly, to make a Restricted Payment, unless:  (1) no event of default
under the Senior Debt Indenture, or event that with the lapse of time or giving
of notice would constitute such an event of default, has occurred and is
continuing, and (2) after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment, the
aggregate amount of all such Restricted Payments since September 30, 1992 shall
not have exceed the sum of:  (a) $40,000,000, (b) 100% of CMS Energy's
consolidated net income (as defined in the Senior Debt Indenture) since
September 30, 1992 to end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45
days prior to the date of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such sum shall
be a deficit, minus 100% of the deficit), and (c) any net proceeds (as defined
in the Senior Debt Indenture) received by CMS Energy for the issuance or sale
of its capital stock subsequent to September 15, 1992.  At September 30, 1994,
CMS Energy could pay cash dividends of $382 million pursuant to this
restriction.

     The GTN Indenture provides that, so long as any of the General Term Notes,
Series A ("GTNs") issued thereunder are outstanding and are rated below BBB- by
Standard & Poor's or by Duff & Phelps, CMS Energy will not, and will not permit
certain of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to make any Restricted
Payments, if at any time CMS Energy or such subsidiary makes such Restricted
Payment:  (1) an Event of Default (as defined in the GTN Indenture), or an
event that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would
constitute such an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing (or would
result therefrom), or (2) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and
all other Restricted Payments made since September 30, 1993, would exceed the
sum of:  (a) $120,000,000 plus 100% of consolidated net income from September
30, 1993 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days
prior to the date of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such sum shall be a
deficit, minus 100% of the deficit) and (b) the aggregate net proceeds received
by CMS Energy from the issue or sale of or contribution with respect to its
capital stock after September 30, 1993.  At September 30, 1994, CMS Energy
could pay cash dividends of $377 million pursuant to this restriction.

     The foregoing provisions do not prohibit:  (i) dividends or other
distributions paid by CMS Energy in respect of the capital stock issued in
connection with the acquisition of any business or assets by CMS Energy where
such payments are payable solely from the net earnings of such business or
assets; (ii) any purchase or redemption of capital stock made by exchange for,
or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, capital stock;
(iii) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at
such date of declaration such dividends would have complied with the
aforementioned limitations; or (iv) payments pursuant to the tax sharing
agreement among CMS Energy and its subsidiaries.

     In addition, Michigan law prohibits payment of a dividend if, after giving
it effect, CMS Energy would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in
the usual course of business, or its total assets would be less than the sum of
its total liabilities plus, unless the articles permit otherwise, the amount
that would be needed, if CMS Energy were to be dissolved at the time of the
distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of
shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the
distribution.  CMS Energy's net assets available for payment of dividends under
the Michigan Business Corporation Act at September 30, 1994 were $392 million.

     DIVIDENDS AND PRICE RANGE OF CMS ENERGY COMMON STOCK

     CMS Energy has paid dividends on its outstanding CMS Energy Common Stock
each year since its inception except 1987 and 1988.  At December 31, 1994,
there were approximately 63,646 CMS Energy Common Stock shareholders of record.
Future dividends will depend upon CMS Energy's earnings, financial condition
and other factors.  Reference is made to "Description of Capital
Stock--Restrictions on Payment of Dividends by CMS Energy" and "Primary Source
of Funds of CMS Energy; Restrictions on Sources of Dividends" regarding
limitations upon payment of dividends on the capital stock of CMS Energy.





                                      -20-
<PAGE>   24

     The following table indicates the high and low sales prices of the CMS
Energy Common Stock for the calendar quarters indicated as reported in The Wall
Street Journal under "New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions," and the
quarterly cash dividends declared per share of CMS Energy Common Stock, for the
calendar quarters indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Price Range     
                                                                  ----------------------
Year                                                              High               Low            Dividend
- ----                                                              ----               ---            --------

<S>      <C>                                                     <C>                <C>               <C>
1991:    First Quarter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $33                $26 1/2           $.12
         Second Quarter   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       30 3/4             23 3/4            .12
         Third Quarter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       25 7/8             18                .12
         Fourth Quarter   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       19 3/4             16 5/8            .12
1992:    First Quarter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       22 3/4             17 7/8            .12
         Second Quarter   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       21 7/8             14 7/8            .12
         Third Quarter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       17 1/2             15 1/4            .12
         Fourth Quarter   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       18 3/8             16 3/4            .12
1993:    First Quarter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       20 7/8             17 7/8            .12
         Second Quarter   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       25 1/2             19 1/2            .12
         Third Quarter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       27 1/2             24 7/8            .18
         Fourth Quarter   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       27 1/8             23                .18
1994:    First Quarter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       25                 21 1/8            .18
         Second Quarter   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       22 7/8             19 5/8            .18
         Third Quarter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       23 3/8             20 5/8            .21
         Fourth Quarter   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       23 1/4             20 7/8            .21
1995:    First Quarter (through February 10)  . . . . . . .       24 5/8             22 3/4            .21
</TABLE>

                 The last reported sale price of the CMS Energy Common Stock on
February 10, 1995, on the NYSE was $24 1/4.

PRIMARY SOURCE OF FUNDS OF CMS ENERGY;
RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF DIVIDENDS

         The ability of CMS Energy to pay (i) dividends on its capital stock
and (ii) its indebtedness, including the Debt Securities, depends and will
depend substantially upon timely receipt of sufficient dividends or other
distributions from its subsidiaries, in particular Consumers.  Consumers'
ability to pay dividends on its common stock depends upon its revenues,
earnings and other factors.  Consumers' revenues and earnings will depend
substantially upon rates authorized by the MPSC.

         Consumers' ability to pay dividends is restricted by its Mortgage
Indenture and its Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles").  The Mortgage
Indenture provides that Consumers can only pay dividends on its common stock
out of retained earnings accumulated subsequent to September 30, 1945, provided
that upon such payment, there shall remain of such retained earnings an amount
equivalent to any deficiency in maintenance and replacement expenditures as
compared with maintenance and replacement requirements since December 31, 1945.
Because of restrictions in its Articles and Mortgage Indenture, Consumers was
prohibited from paying dividends on its common stock from June 1991 to December
31, 1992.  However, as of December 31, 1992, Consumers effected a
quasi-reorganization in which Consumers' accumulated deficit of $574 million
was eliminated against other paid-in capital.  With the accumulated deficit
eliminated, Consumers satisfied the requirements under its Mortgage Indenture
and resumed paying dividends on its common stock in May 1993.

         Consumers' Articles also provide two restrictions on its payment of
dividends on its common stock.  First, prior to the payment of any common stock
dividend, Consumers must reserve retained earnings after giving effect to such
dividend payment of at least (i) $7.50 per share on all then outstanding shares
of its Preferred Stock, (ii) in respect to its Class A Preferred Stock, 7.5% of
the aggregate amount established by its Board of Directors to be payable on the
shares of each series thereof in the event of involuntary liquidation of
Consumers, and (iii) $7.50 per share on all then outstanding shares of all
other stock over which its Preferred Stock and Class A Preferred





                                      -21-
<PAGE>   25

Stock do not have preference as to the payment of dividends and as to assets. 
Second, dividend payments during the 12 month period ending with the month the
proposed payment is to be paid are limited to: (i) 50% of net income available
for the payment of dividends during the base period (hereinafter defined) if
the ratio of common stock and surplus to total capitalization and surplus for
12 consecutive calendar months within the 14    calendar months immediately
preceding the proposed dividend payment (the "base period"), adjusted to
reflect the proposed dividend, is less than 20%; and (ii) 75% of net income
available for the payment of dividends during the base period if the ratio of
common stock and surplus to total capitalization and surplus for the base
period, adjusted to reflect the proposed dividend, is at least 20% but less
than 25%.

         Consumers' Articles also prohibit the payment of cash dividends on its
common stock if Consumers is in arrears on preferred stock dividend payments.

         In addition, Michigan law prohibits payment of a dividend if, after
giving it effect, Consumers would not be able to pay its debts as they become
due in the usual course of business, or its total assets would be less than the
sum of its total liabilities plus, unless the articles permit otherwise, the
amount that would be needed, if Consumers were to be dissolved at the time of
the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of
shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the
distribution.  Consumers' net assets available for payment of dividends under
the Michigan Business Corporation Act at December 31, 1994 were $1,353 million.

         Under the most restrictive of these conditions, at December 31, 1994,
$___ million of Consumers' retained earnings were available to pay cash
dividends on its common stock.  Currently it is Consumers' policy to pay annual
dividends equal to 80% of its annual consolidated net income.  Consumers' Board
of Directors reserves the right to change this policy at any time.

         Consumers paid dividends on its common stock of $16.0 million on
February 22, 1994, of $65.6 million on May 20, 1994, $31.0 million on August
19, 1994, $36.0 million on November 4, 1994 and $27.4 million on December 20,
1994.

CMS ENERGY MICHIGAN PREFERRED SECURITIES

         CMS Energy Michigan may issue, from time to time, CMS Energy Michigan
Preferred Securities, in one or more series, having terms described in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. The limited partnership agreement of
CMS Energy Michigan will be amended and restated (as so amended and restated,
the "Limited Partnership Agreement") to authorize the establishment of one or
more series of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities, having such terms,
including dividends, redemption, voting, liquidation rights and such other
preferred, deferred or other special rights or such restrictions as shall be
set forth therein or otherwise established by the General Partner pursuant
thereto.  Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the CMS
Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of a particular series for specific terms,
including (i) the distinctive designation of such series which shall
distinguish it from other series; (ii) the number of CMS Energy Michigan
Preferred Securities included in such series, which number may be increased or
decreased from time to time unless otherwise provided by the General Partner in
creating the series; (iii) the annual dividend rate (or method of determining
such rate) for CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of such series and the
date or dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, provided, however,
dividends on any series of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities shall be
payable on a monthly basis to holders of such series of CMS Energy Michigan
Preferred Securities as of a record date in each month during which such series
of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities are outstanding; (iv) whether
dividends on CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of such series shall be
cumulative, and, in the case of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of any
series having cumulative dividend rights, the date or dates or method of
determining the date or dates from which dividends on CMS Energy Michigan
Preferred Securities of such series shall be cumulative; (v) the amount or
amounts which shall be paid out of the assets of CMS Energy Michigan to the
holders of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of such series upon
voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of CMS Energy
Michigan; (vi) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which
and the terms and conditions upon which CMS Energy Michigan Preferred
Securities of such series may be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, at
the option of CMS Energy Michigan





                                      -22-
<PAGE>   26

or the General Partner; (vii) the obligation, if any, of CMS Energy Michigan to
purchase or redeem CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of such series
pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise and the price or prices at which, the
period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which CMS
Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of such series shall be purchased or
redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (viii) the period
or periods within which and the terms and conditions, if any, including the
price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the terms
and conditions of any adjustments thereof, upon which the CMS Energy Michigan
Preferred Securities of such series shall be convertible or exchangeable at the
option of the holder of the Partnership Preferred Security, or CMS Energy
Michigan, into any other securities or other property or cash or into any other
series of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities; (ix) the voting rights, if
any, of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of such series in addition to
those required by law or set forth in the Limited Partnership Agreement, and
any requirement for the approval by the holders of CMS Energy Michigan
Preferred Securities, or of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of one or
more series, or of both, as a condition to specified action or amendments to
the Limited Partnership Agreement; (x) the additional amounts, if any, which
CMS Energy Michigan will pay as a distribution as necessary in order that the
net amounts received by holders of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of
such series after withholding or deduction of certain taxes, duties,
assessments or governmental charges will equal the amount which would have been
receivable in respect of such CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities in the
absence of such withholding or deduction; and (xi) any other relative rights,
powers, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of CMS Energy
Michigan Preferred Securities of the series not inconsistent with the Limited
Partnership Agreement or with applicable law.  All CMS Energy Michigan
Preferred Securities offered hereby will be guaranteed by CMS Energy to the
limited extent set forth below under "Description of the Guarantee."  Any
applicable federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of CMS
Energy Michigan Preferred Securities will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto.  Unless otherwise provided in a Prospectus
Supplement, the aggregate number of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities
which CMS Energy Michigan shall have authority to issue is unlimited.

DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEE

         Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the Guarantee
which will be executed and delivered by CMS Energy for the benefit of the
holders, from time to time, of each series of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred
Securities.  The summary does not purport to be complete and is subject in all
respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to, the Guarantee, which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
of which this Prospectus forms a part.

         GENERAL

         CMS Energy will irrevocably and unconditionally agree, to the extent
set forth herein, to pay in full, to the holders of the CMS Energy Michigan
Preferred Securities of each series, the Guarantee Payments (as defined below),
as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim
which CMS Energy may have or assert against CMS Energy Michigan.  The following
payments with respect to any series of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities
to the extent not paid by CMS Energy Michigan (the "Guarantee Payments") will
be subject to the Guarantee (without duplication): (i) any accrued and unpaid
dividends which are required to be paid on the CMS Energy Michigan Preferred
Securities of such series, to the extent CMS Energy Michigan shall have funds
on hand sufficient to make such payment and funds legally available therefor as
determined by the General Partner, (ii) the redemption price, including all
accrued and unpaid dividends (the "Redemption Price"), payable out of funds
legally available therefor as determined by the General Partner with respect to
any CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities called for redemption by CMS
Energy Michigan and (iii) upon a liquidation of CMS Energy Michigan, the lesser
of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation preference and all accrued and unpaid
dividends on the CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of such series to the
date of payment and (b) the amount of assets of CMS Energy Michigan remaining
available for distribution to holders of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred
Securities of such series in liquidation of CMS Energy Michigan.  CMS Energy's
obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of
the required amounts by CMS Energy to the holders of CMS Energy Michigan
Preferred Securities or by causing CMS Energy Michigan to pay such amounts to
such holders.





                                      -23-
<PAGE>   27

         CERTAIN COVENANTS OF CMS ENERGY

         In the Guarantee, CMS Energy will covenant that, so long as any CMS
Energy Michigan Preferred Securities remain outstanding, CMS Energy will not
declare or pay any dividend on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock if at such time
CMS Energy is in default with respect to its payment or other obligations under
the Guarantee or there shall have occurred any event that, with the giving of
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default under the
Subordinated Debt Indenture.

         AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT

         Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the
rights of holders of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities (in which case no
vote will be required), the Guarantee may be changed only with the prior
approval of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in liquidation preference of
the outstanding CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities.  All guarantees and
agreements contained in the Guarantee shall bind the successors, assignees,
receivers, trustees and representatives of CMS Energy and shall inure to the
benefit of the holders of the CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities then
outstanding.

         TERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEE

         The Guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect as
to the CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of any series upon full payment
of the Redemption Price of all CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of such
series and will terminate completely upon full payment of the amounts payable
upon liquidation of CMS Energy Michigan.  The Guarantee will continue to be
effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder
of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities of any series must restore payment
of any sums paid under such series of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities
or the Guarantee.

         STATUS OF THE GUARANTEE

         The Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of CMS Energy
and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other
liabilities of CMS Energy (including the Subordinated Debentures), except those
made pari passu by their terms (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred
or preference stock now or hereafter issued by CMS Energy and with any
guarantee now or hereafter entered into by CMS Energy in respect of any
preferred or preference stock of any affiliate of CMS Energy and (iii) senior
to Common Stock of CMS Energy.  The Limited Partnership Agreement provides that
each holder of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities by acceptance thereof
agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of the Guarantee.

         The Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of
collection (that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the guarantor to enforce its rights under the guarantee
without first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or
entity).  The Guarantee will be deposited with the General Partner to be held
for the benefit of the holders of each series of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred
Securities.  In the event of the appointment of a Special Representative to,
among other things, enforce the Guarantee, the Special Representative may take
possession of the Guarantee for such purpose.  If no Special Representative has
been appointed to enforce the Guarantee, the General Partner has the right to
enforce the Guarantee on behalf of the holders of each series of CMS Energy
Michigan Preferred Securities.  The holders of not less than 10% in aggregate
liquidation preference of the CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities have the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available in respect of the Guarantee, including the giving of
directions to the General Partner or the Special Representative, as the case
may be.  If the General Partner or the Special Representative fails to enforce
the Guarantee as provided above, any holder of CMS Energy Michigan Preferred
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to
enforce its rights under the Guarantee, without first instituting a legal
proceeding against CMS Energy Michigan or any other person or entity.  The
Guarantee will not be discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in
full and by complete performance of all obligations under the Guarantee.





                                      -24-
<PAGE>   28

         GOVERNING LAW

        The Guarantee will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Michigan.


                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

         Opinions as to the legality of the securities offered hereby will be
rendered for CMS Energy and CMS Energy Michigan by Denise M.  Sturdy, Assistant
General Counsel for CMS Energy.  Certain legal matters with respect to Offered
Securities will be passed upon by Sidley & Austin, Chicago, Illinois, counsel
to CMS Energy and CMS Energy Michigan, and by Reid & Priest LLP, New York, New
York, counsel for any underwriters, dealers or agents who will be named in the
related Prospectus Supplement.


                                    EXPERTS

         The consolidated financial statements and schedules of CMS Energy as
of December 31, 1993 and 1992, and for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1993 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP (formerly Arthur Andersen & Co.), independent
public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing in giving said reports.  Reference is made to said
reports which include an explanatory paragraph with respect to the change in
the method of accounting for income taxes in 1992 as discussed in Note 6 to the
consolidated financial statements and with respect to the change in the method
of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions in 1992 as
discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.

         With respect to the unaudited interim consolidated financial
information for the periods ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 1994 and
1993, Arthur Andersen LLP has applied limited procedures in accordance with
professional standards for a review of such information.  However, their
separate report thereon states that they did not audit and they did not express
an opinion on that interim consolidated financial information.  Accordingly,
the degree of reliance on their report on that information should be restricted
in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied.  In addition,
the accountants are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), for their report on
the unaudited interim consolidated financial information because that report is
not a "report" or "part" of the registration statement prepared or certified by
the accountants within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.

         Future consolidated financial statements of CMS Energy and the reports
thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP also will be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus in reliance upon the authority of that firm as experts in giving
those reports to the extent that said firm has audited said consolidated
financial statements and consented to the use of their reports thereon.


                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         CMS and/or CMS Energy Michigan may sell the Offered Securities (i)
through the solicitation of proposals of underwriters or dealers to purchase
the Offered Securities; (ii) through underwriters or dealers on a negotiated
basis, (iii) directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single
purchaser; or (iv) through agents.  The Prospectus Supplement with respect to
any Offered Securities will set forth the terms of such offering, including the
name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; the purchase price of the
Offered Securities and the proceeds to CMS and/or CMS Energy Michigan from such
sale; any underwriting discounts and commissions and other items constituting
underwriters' compensation; any initial public offering price and any discounts
or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities
exchange on which such Offered Securities may be listed.  Any initial public
offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers may be changed from time to time.





                                      -25-
<PAGE>   29

         If underwriters are used in the sale, the Offered Securities will be
acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time
to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a
fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of
sale.  The Offered Securities may be offered to the public either through
underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or
directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters.  The underwriter or
underwriters with respect to a particular underwritten offering of Offered
Securities will be named in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such offering
and, if an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing underwriter or
underwriters will be set forth on the cover of such Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the
obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Offered Securities will be
subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated
to purchase all the Offered Securities if any are purchased.

         If dealers are utilized in the sale of Offered Securities, CMS and/or
CMS Energy Michigan will sell such Offered Securities to the dealers as
principals.  The dealers may then resell such Offered Securities to the public
at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale.  The
names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

         The Offered Securities may be sold directly by CMS and/or CMS Energy
Michigan or through agents designated by CMS and/or CMS Energy Michigan from
time to time.  Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the Offered
Securities in respect to which this Prospectus is delivered will be named, and
any commissions payable by CMS and/or CMS Energy Michigan to such agent will be
set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.  Unless otherwise
indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best
efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

         The Offered Securities may be sold directly by CMS and/or CMS Energy
Michigan to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be
underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any
resale thereof.  The terms of any such sales will be described in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

         If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, CMS and/or CMS Energy
Michigan will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from
certain types of institutions to purchase Offered Securities from CMS and/or
CMS Energy Michigan at the public offering price set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and
delivery on a specified date in the future.  Such contracts will be subject
only to those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the
Prospectus Supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of
such contracts.

         Agents, dealers and underwriters may be entitled under agreements with
CMS and/or CMS Energy Michigan to indemnification by CMS and/or CMS Energy
Michigan against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which such agents,
dealers or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.  Agents,
dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or
perform services for CMS and/or CMS Energy Michigan in the ordinary course of
business.

         The Offered Securities may or may not be listed on a national
securities exchange.  Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement with
regard to such matter.  No assurance can be given that there will be a market
for any of the Offered Securities.







                                      -26-
<PAGE>   30
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.  THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL
PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH
JURISDICTION.

PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
Issued February __, 1995

                             _______________ SHARES

                             CMS Energy Corporation
                              Class G Common Stock

     All of the shares of CMS Energy Corporation Class G Common Stock ("Class G
Common Stock") offered hereby are being sold by CMS Energy Corporation ("CMS
Energy").  Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the
Class G Common Stock.   It is currently estimated that the initial public
offering price per share will be between $_______ and $________.  See
"Underwriters" for a discussion of the factors to be considered in determining
the initial public offering price.

     The Class G Common Stock is Common Stock of CMS Energy and is intended to
reflect the separate performance of the natural gas distribution, storage and
transportation businesses conducted by Consumers Power Company ("Consumers")
and Michigan Gas Storage Company ("MGS") (such businesses, collectively, will
be attributed to the "Consumers Gas Group").  Consumers is a direct subsidiary
of CMS Energy and MGS is a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Consumers.  The
Class G Common Stock is one of two classes of the Common Stock of CMS Energy,
the other being CMS Energy Corporation Common Stock ("CMS Energy Common
Stock").

     Dividends on the Class G Common Stock will be paid at the discretion of
the Board of Directors of CMS Energy ("Board of Directors") based primarily
upon the earnings and financial condition of the Consumers Gas Group, and, to a
lesser extent, CMS Energy as a whole.  Dividends will be payable out of the
lesser of (i) the assets of CMS Energy legally available therefor and (ii) the
Available Class G Dividend Amount.  Dividends with respect to the Class G
Common Stock are expected to be paid commensurate with dividend practices of
comparable publicly-held local natural gas distribution companies generally.
Management believes that such practices currently are to pay out from 70% to
85% of annual earnings available for dividends on common stock.  Consistent
with this policy, if _______________ shares of the Class G Common Stock
representing 100% of the equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group had been
outstanding during all of 1994, CMS Energy would have paid a dividend at an
annual rate ranging from $______ per share to $______ per share on the Class G
Common Stock.

     In the event of a disposition by CMS Energy of all or substantially all of
the properties and assets attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, CMS Energy is
required to exchange for each outstanding share of Class G Common Stock a
number of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to
110% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Class G Common Stock.  CMS Energy
may, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, at any time exchange for
each outstanding share of Class G Common Stock a number of shares of CMS Energy
Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to 115% of the Fair Market Value
of one share of Class G Common Stock.  See "Description of Class G Common
Stock."

     Application will be made to list the Class G Common Stock on the New York
Stock Exchange, Inc. under the symbol "CPG."

     SEE "FACTORS TO CONSIDER" FOR INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.


  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
       EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
         PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY
             REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>   31



                               __________________

                           PRICE $          PER SHARE

                               __________________


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Underwriting
                                Price to       Discounts and        Proceeds to
                                 Public        Commissions (1)      CMS Energy (2)
                                --------       ---------------      --------------
<S>                            <C>            <C>                  <C>
Per Share..................     $              $                    $
Total (3)..................     $              $                    $
</TABLE>

(1)  CMS Energy has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
     liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended.  See "Underwriters."

(2)  Before deducting expenses payable by CMS Energy estimated at $________.

(3)  CMS Energy has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable within
     30 days of the date hereof, to purchase up to an aggregate of _00,000
     additional shares at the price to public less underwriting discounts and
     commissions for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any.  If the
     Underwriters exercise such option in full, the total price to public,
     underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds to CMS Energy will be
     $__________, $___________ and $__________, respectively.  See
     "Underwriters."

                        _______________________________

     The shares of Class G Common Stock are offered, subject to prior sale,
when, as and if accepted by the Underwriters named herein and subject to
approval of certain legal matters by Reid & Priest LLP, counsel for the
Underwriters.  It is expected that the delivery of the shares will be made on
or about _______________, 1995, at the office of
__________________________________ New York, New York, against payment therefor
in New York funds.





_________________, 1995
<PAGE>   32

     No person is authorized in connection with any offering made hereby to
give any information or to make any representation other than as contained or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, and, if given or made, such
information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized
by CMS Energy or by any Underwriter.  This Prospectus does not constitute an
offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy to any person in any
jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.
Neither the delivery of this Prospectus at any time nor any sale made hereunder
shall under any circumstances imply that the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus is correct as of any time
subsequent to the date hereof.

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Page                                                            Page
                                             ----                                                            ----
<S>                                        <C>             <C>                                              <C>
Incorporation of Certain                                    CMS Energy--
  Documents by Reference  . . . . . . . . .                   Selected Consolidated
Prospectus Summary  . . . . . . . . . . . .                   Financial Information . . . . . . . . . .
Factors to Consider . . . . . . . . . . . .                 CMS Energy--Unaudited Pro Forma
Use of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                   Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . .
Capitalization  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 CMS Energy--
Dividend  Policy  . . . . . . . . . . . . .                   Management's Discussion
Primary Source of Dividends                                   and Analysis of Financial
  for the Common Stock                                        Condition and Results of Operations . . .
  of CMS Energy; Restrictions                               Description of Capital Stock  . . . . . . .
  on Sources of Dividends . . . . . . . . .                 Certain Federal Income Tax Effects
Certain Management and Accounting                             of Offering   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  Policies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 Underwriters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Business of the                                             Legal Opinions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  Consumers Gas Group . . . . . . . . . . .                 Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consumers Gas Group--Selected                               Available Information . . . . . . . . . . .
  Consolidated Financial and Operating Data                 Appendix I - Glossary . . . . . . . . . . .
Consumers Gas Group-- Unaudited                             Appendix II - Class G
  Pro Forma Condensed Financial                               Common Stock Retained
  Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                   Interest Illustrations  . . . . . . . . .
Consumers Gas Group--Manage-                                Index to Financial Statements   . . . . . .
  ment's Discussion and
  Analysis of Financial
  Condition and Results
  of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
</TABLE>



                              ____________________





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   33

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following documents filed by CMS Energy with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") (File No. 1-9513) pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), are hereby
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and shall be deemed to be a part
hereof:  (i) CMS Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1993; (ii) CMS's Energy's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly periods ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 1994; and (iii) CMS
Energy's Current Reports on Forms 8-K dated March 4, March 29, August 18,
October 5 and November 21, 1994 and January 10 and February 2, 1995.

     All documents subsequently filed by CMS Energy pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and prior to the termination of the
offering of the Class G Common Stock contemplated hereby (the "Offering") shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and shall be deemed to be a
part hereof from the date of filing of such documents (such documents, and the
documents enumerated above, being hereinafter referred to as "Incorporated
Documents").  Any statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
Incorporated Document modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

     CMS Energy undertakes to provide without charge to each person to whom a
copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or oral request of
any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which
have been or may be incorporated in this Prospectus by reference, other than
exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated
by reference into such documents).  Requests for such copies should be directed
to CMS Energy Corporation at its principal executive offices located at
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100, 330 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, Michigan
48126, Attention: Office of the Secretary, telephone: (313) 436-9200.

     Certain information contained in this Prospectus summarizes, is based
upon, or refers to information and financial statements contained in one or
more Incorporated Documents; accordingly, such information contained herein is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such documents and should be read in
conjunction therewith.                     ______________

     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR
EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICES OF THE CLASS
G COMMON STOCK OR CMS ENERGY COMMON STOCK AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT
OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET.  SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE OR CERTAIN OTHER EXCHANGES OR OTHERWISE.  SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   34



                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read
in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and in the Incorporated Documents.  As
used herein, "CMS Energy" means CMS Energy Corporation and its consolidated
subsidiaries, including the Consumers Gas Group.  The description of the terms
of the Class G Common Stock in this Prospectus assumes that the Certificate of
Amendment ("Certificate of Amendment") to the Articles of Incorporation of CMS
Energy authorizing the Class G Common Stock will have been filed with the
Michigan Department of Commerce prior to the completion of the offering.
References in this Prospectus to the "Articles of Incorporation" refer to the
Articles of Incorporation of CMS Energy, as amended by such Certificate of
Amendment, unless the context requires otherwise.  Unless indicated otherwise,
the information contained in this Prospectus assumes that the Underwriters do
not exercise their over-allotment option.  Unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms used in this Prospectus Summary have the respective meanings
ascribed to them elsewhere in this Prospectus.  See "Glossary" in Appendix I.


                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP

GENERAL

     The businesses attributed to the Consumers Gas Group consist of the
natural gas distribution, storage and transportation businesses (collectively,
the "Gas Distribution Business") conducted by Consumers and its subsidiary,
MGS.  Consumers is a subsidiary of CMS Energy.  For the year ended December 31,
1994, the Gas Distribution Business conducted by the Consumers Gas Group was
the largest local natural gas distribution company in Michigan and the fifth
largest in the United States based on volumes of natural gas distributed
(excluding gas for resale).  The Consumers Gas Group supplies natural gas for
heating and various other energy applications to approximately 1.4 million
residential, commercial and industrial customers in 45 of the 68 counties in
Michigan's Lower Peninsula through a distribution and transmission system
consisting of 20,768 miles of distribution mains and 1,084 miles of
transmission lines.  The Consumers Gas Group also operates 14 gas storage
fields and related facilities.  The related facilities have a total certified
storage capacity of approximately 359.2 billion cubic feet ("Bcf"), of which
130.0 Bcf is working gas.  The Gas Distribution Business is regulated as a
public utility by the Michigan Public Service Commission ("MPSC") and the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC").

     The operating revenues attributable to the Consumers Gas Group for the
nine months ended September 30, 1994 and the year ended December 31, 1993 were
$837 million and $1,160 million, respectively, representing 31% and 33%,
respectively, of the total consolidated operating revenues of CMS Energy for
such periods.  The pretax operating income attributable to the Consumers Gas
Group for the nine months ended September 30, 1994 and the year ended December
31, 1993 were $106 million and $146 million, respectively, representing 26% and
33%, respectively, of the total consolidated pretax operating income, of CMS
Energy for such periods.  The total assets attributable to the Consumers Gas
Group as of September 30, 1994 were $1,625 million representing 23% of the
consolidated total assets of CMS Energy at that date.  See "Business of the
Consumers Gas Group" for a more complete description of the Gas Distribution
Business.





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   35




RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

     Audited financial statements and results of operations for the businesses
attributed to the Consumers Gas Group for the year ended December 31, 1994 are
not yet available.  Reference is made to "Business of the Consumers Gas Group
- -- Recent Developments" for certain selected financial information at December
31, 1994 and 1993 and for the years ended on such dates for the businesses
attributed to the Consumers Gas Group.  Audited financial statements and
related financial and statistical data for the businesses attributed to the
Consumers Gas Group for the year ended December 31, 1994 will be included in
this Prospectus prior to the commencement of the Offering of the Class G Common
Stock.

     Reference is made to "Factors to Consider--Regulatory Considerations" for
information concerning a petition filed by Consumers on December 29, 1994 with
the MPSC for an increase in annual gas rates for the Gas Distribution Business.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

     The Consumers Gas Group is well-positioned to capitalize on the
opportunities and meet the challenges of the deregulated gas market.  The
Consumer Gas Group's principal competitive advantages include:

     -    Consistent growth.  The Consumers Gas Group's gas sales for the nine
          months ended September 30, 1994 and for the year ended December 31,
          1993 were 173 Bcf and 244 Bcf, respectively, with a total throughput
          of 225 Bcf and 315 Bcf for those periods (excluding sales to a
          related partnership, Midland Cogeneration Venture Limited Partnership
          ("MCV Partnership")).  This represents an average annual growth rate
          since 1990 of approximately 3.3% (1.3% weather-adjusted).  The
          weather-adjusted growth is primarily attributable to an increase in
          the number of customers served.  Since 1990, the Consumers Gas Group
          has experienced an average annual customer growth rate of 1.5%
          (approximately 20,000 customers) per year.  See "Business of the
          Consumers Gas Group -- Customers."

     -    Diversity and stability of customers served.  The Consumers Gas
          Group's sales are derived from a diversity of customers with no
          substantial dependence on a particular customer.  The Consumers Gas
          Group's approximately 1.4 million customers include approximately 1.3
          million residential customers, 94,000 commercial customers and 8,000
          industrial customers.  In 1994, residential customers, the primary
          component of the Consumers Gas Group's load, represented slightly
          more than half of throughput, while the industrial and commercial
          classes each represented about one-fourth.  For the nine months ended
          September 30, 1994, approximately 67.7% of the Consumers Gas Group's
          revenues were derived from this relatively stable residential
          customer base.  The customer base of the Consumers Gas Group also
          includes several of the largest manufacturing businesses in the
          United States, such as Chrysler Corporation, Dow Chemical Company,
          Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation and Upjohn Company.

     -    Low cost natural gas provider.  As of September 30, 1994, the
          Consumers Gas Group's residential customers enjoyed the lowest rates
          charged by any Michigan natural gas utility and rates which are
          believed to be consistently among the lowest 10% of all U.S. local
          natural gas distribution companies.  As of September 30, 1994, the
          Consumers Gas Group's rate for residential service was $3.917/Mcf





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   36



          ("Mcf" being a thousand cubic feet).  See "Business of the Consumers
          Gas Group -- Business."

     -    Substantial natural gas storage capacity.  The 14 gas storage fields
          operated by the Consumers Gas Group have 130.0 Bcf of working gas
          storage.  This storage capacity enabled Consumers Gas Group to
          provide approximately 45.0% of its sale requirements throughout the
          1993-1994 winter heating season (November 1 through March 31) and
          70.0% of its January 1994 peak-day requirement from storage.  These
          storage facilities allow the Consumers Gas Group to lower its
          peak-day entitlement from its pipeline suppliers, thereby reducing
          interstate pipeline costs. See "Business of the Consumers Gas Group
          -- Storage."

     -    Strategic location near interstate pipelines.  The Consumers Gas
          Group is strategically located to receive gas deliveries from several
          interstate pipelines connected to the major producing regions of the
          United States and Canada.  ANR Pipeline Company ("ANR"), Panhandle
          Eastern Pipeline Company ("Panhandle") and Trunkline Gas Company
          ("Trunkline") deliver gas from the U.S. Gulf Coast and the
          Mid-Continent areas.  Gas produced in Western Canada is delivered to
          the Consumers Gas Group through several pipelines that ultimately
          deliver gas to Great Lakes Gas Transmission Company, which is
          connected directly to the Consumers Gas Group.  See "Business of the
          Consumers Gas Group -- Gas Supply."

GROWTH STRATEGIES

     The Consumer Gas Group believes that if the Consumer Gas Group's
residential customer base grows at a rate of approximately 1.5% annually and
gas prices adjusted for inflation remain relatively unchanged,  its annual gas
deliveries will grow to approximately 329.0 Bcf between 1994 and 1999
representing total growth over the period of 5.5%.  In addition, the Consumers
Gas Group has identified the following strategies to further grow its
residential, commercial and industrial customer base:

     -    Increased usage by existing customers.  The Consumer Gas Group
          believes that there are opportunities to increase revenues from its
          existing customer base.  Studies conducted by the Consumers Gas Group
          show that many of its existing residential and commercial customers
          utilize non-gas furnaces, electric water heaters and wood burning
          fireplaces for space and water heating.  The Consumers Gas Group
          intends to conduct marketing programs to switch these customers to
          natural gas for these purposes.

     -    Attracting additional customers.  The Consumers Gas Group plans to
          attract additional customers by expanding within its existing
          franchises.  The Consumers Gas Group maintains franchises in eight of
          the ten most populous counties in Michigan and each of these counties
          has been growing.  Through effective planning, the Consumers Gas
          Group intends to position its system expansion to secure future
          growth in these areas.  The Consumers Gas Group intends to invest
          $37.7 million over the three-year period ending December 31, 1998 to
          construct additional gas mains.  This program is designed to increase
          gas usage in the Consumer Gas Group's existing service area and to
          enable it to successfully compete with other local natural gas
          distribution companies for new customers.  Finally, there are still
          significant numbers of potential gas customers who have a gas main in
          front of their home or establishment and do not have installed gas





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   37



          service.  The conversion of these customers to gas service is an
          additional potential source of growth.

     -    Co-generation.  The Consumers Gas Group believes that there is a
          significant potential for development in its service area of gas
          powered cogeneration projects capable of generating from 1,000 to
          50,000 kilowatt ("KW") of electricity.  For projects of this type the
          Consumers Gas Group would have the ability to provide, in addition to
          gas supply, project engineering, equipment financing, operating and
          maintenance service and gas storage services.

     -    Industrial conversions.  Conversion of industrial processes to
          natural gas is also an area of expected sales growth for the
          Consumers Gas Group.  For example, it is expected that laws mandating
          improvements in air quality will provide opportunities for converting
          industrial boiler load to clean-burning natural gas, and for
          additional utilization of natural gas for electric generation.  The
          Consumers Gas Group believes that conversion projects also provide
          opportunities for project engineering, construction services,
          equipment financing, gas storage and other services which it is in a
          position to provide competitively.

     -    New technologies.  The Consumers Gas Group also expects additional
          growth from the development and use of Natural Gas Vehicles ("NGVs").
          Pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, increasing percentages of
          the federal government's automotive fleet must consist of NGVs
          beginning in 1996; the federal government will be required to either
          convert gasoline-fueled vehicles into NGVs or purchase NGVs.  The
          Consumers Gas Group believes that other automotive fleets, as well as
          indoor equipment such as forklifts and sweepers, will convert to
          NGVs, and thereafter certain portions of the general population may
          acquire or convert their existing vehicles to NGVs.  The Consumers
          Gas Group estimates that each NGV represents 125 Mcf of natural gas
          consumption annually, equal to the natural gas consumption of an
          average single family home.

     -    Revenue diversification.  In 1994, approximately 85% of Consumers Gas
          Group's gas throughput was weather related and weather can cause
          significant fluctuations in revenue.  For example, unseasonably warm
          weather in November and December 1994, in the service area of the
          Consumers Gas Group resulted in gas sales and gas transported in the
          fourth quarter of 1994 totalling 111 Bcf, a 12% decrease from the
          corresponding 1993 level.  Opportunities exist to diversify revenues
          by (i) growing off-peak load and (ii) creating and increasing new
          revenue from the sale of gas-related services and products, such as
          maintenance agreements related to gas equipment (e.g. furnaces),
          appliance repair and installation, sales of other equipment (e.g.
          carbon monoxide detectors, water heaters) and energy optimization
          services.

     In total, the Consumers Gas Group expects these and related additional
efforts to add approximately 38.0 Bcf of throughput by 1999 which is equivalent
to approximately $17.2 million of additional gross margin annually (excluding
recovery of the cost of gas supplied to customers).  However, actual levels of
growth in the business of the Consumers Gas Group will depend on general
economic conditions, the availability of gas supply, gas prices, alternate
energy prices and other factors, and there can be no assurance that the
Consumers Gas Group will achieve increased sales or earnings.





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   38




                                   CMS ENERGY

     CMS Energy, incorporated in 1987, is the parent holding company of
Consumers and CMS Enterprises Company ("Enterprises").  Consumers, a
combination electric and gas utility company serving most of Michigan's Lower
Peninsula, is CMS Energy's largest subsidiary.  Consumers' customer base
includes a mix of residential, commercial and diversified industrial customers,
the largest of which is the automotive industry.  Enterprises is engaged in
several non-utility energy-related businesses including: (i) oil and gas
exploration and production, (ii) development and operation of independent power
production facilities, (iii) gas marketing services to end-users and (iv)
transmission and storage of natural gas.

     CMS Energy conducts its principal operations through the following five
business segments:  (i) electric utility operations; (ii) natural gas utility
operations; (iii) oil and gas exploration and production operations; (iv)
independent power production; and (v) gas transmission and marketing.
Consumers or Consumers' subsidiaries are engaged in two segments:  electric
operations and gas utility operations.  Consumers' electric and gas businesses
are principally regulated utility operations.

     CMS Energy's 1993 consolidated operating revenue was $3,482 million.  This
consolidated operating revenue was derived from Consumers' sales of electric
energy (approximately 60% or $2,077 million), Consumers' gas operations
(approximately 33% or $1,160 million), oil and gas exploration and production
activities (approximately 2% or $77 million), independent power production
activities (approximately 1% or $21 million) and gas transmission and marketing
(approximately 4% or $142 million).  Consumers' consolidated operations in the
electric and gas utility businesses account for the major share of CMS Energy's
total assets, revenue and income.  CMS Energy's share of 1993 unconsolidated
non-utility generation and gas transmission revenue was $337 million.

     Consumers is a public utility serving almost six million of Michigan's
nine million residents in all of the 68 counties in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
Industries in Consumers' service area include automotive, metal, chemical, food
and wood products and a diversified group of other industries.  Consumers' 1993
consolidated operating revenue of $3,243 million was derived approximately 64%
($2,077 million) from its electric utility business and approximately 36%
($1,160 million) from its gas utility business.  Consumers' rates and certain
other aspects of its business are subject to the jurisdiction of the MPSC and
the FERC.





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   39



                                  THE OFFERING

Class G Common Stock                      _______________ shares
       offered by CMS Energy

Percentage of Consumers Gas Group         CMS Energy is offering shares of
       Equity represented by the              Class G Common Stock representing
       offered shares                         ___% of the common stockholders'
                                              equity value attributed to the 
                                              Consumers Gas Group.

Use of Proceeds                           All of the net proceeds will be 
                                              invested in the businesses and 
                                              used for general corporate 
                                              purposes of CMS Energy. Initially,
                                              such net proceeds will be used to
                                              repay a portion of the debt of 
                                              CMS Energy (none of which is 
                                              attributable to the Consumers Gas
                                              Group).

NYSE                                      Application will be made to list
                                              the Class G Common Stock on the 
                                              New York Stock Exchange, Inc. 
                                              ("NYSE") under the symbol "CPG."





                                      -9-
<PAGE>   40



                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP
                      SUMMARY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

     The summary financial data of the Consumers Gas Group presented below for
the nine months ended September 30, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the
Consumers Gas Group Financial Statements contained elsewhere herein.  The
summary financial data for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1993 were derived from the Consumers Gas Group Financial
Statements contained elsewhere herein which have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants.  The following summary data
reflect the historical results of operations, and certain financial and
operating data of the businesses attributed to the Consumers Gas Group and
should be read in conjunction with the Consumers Gas Group Financial
Statements, "Consumers Gas Group--Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business of the Consumers Gas
Group," CMS Energy's Financial Statements and "CMS Energy--Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
contained elsewhere herein.  The summary financial data do not reflect the
effects of the capital structure that will be attributable to the Consumers Gas
Group effective upon the completion of the Offering.  See "Consumers Gas
Group--Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements" below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Nine Months
                                          Ended September 30,            Year Ended December 31,         
                                          -------------------    ----------------------------------------
                                          1994         1993         1993             1992           1991
                                          ----         ----         ----             ----           ----
                                              (Unaudited)    
                                                  Dollars in millions, except average sales rate
<S>                                      <C>       <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>    
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:                           
Operating Revenue . . . . . . . . .       $  837    $  809          $1,160            $1,126          $1,061
Operating Expenses  . . . . . . . .          731       713           1,014             1,017             997
Pretax Operating Income   . . . . .          106        96             146               109              64
Net income  . . . . . . . . . . . .           45        41              66                40               1

OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:

Cash flow from operations . . . . .       $  117    $   (2)         $   80            $  106          $  180
Capital expenditures  . . . . . . .           83       107             153               107              68
Property, plant and equipment   . .          968       908             931               846             806
Total assets  . . . . . . . . . . .        1,625     1,604           1,628             1,574           1,332

OPERATING DATA:

Sales and transportation
  deliveries (Bcf)(a)   . . . . . .          283       269             389               364             339
Customers (in thousands)  . . . . .        1,428     1,406           1,423             1,402           1,382
Average sales rate ($/mcf)  . . . .         4.51      4.61            4.46              4.55            4.58
</TABLE>

(a)  Excludes off-system transportation services.





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   41



     The following table sets forth selected financial information at December
31, 1994 and 1993 and for the years ended on such dates for the businesses
attributed to the Consumers Gas Group.  This information should be read in
conjunction with the Consumers Gas Group Financial Statements and Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations set
forth elsewhere herein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Year Ended
                                                                                             December 31, 
                                                                                           ---------------
                                                                                           1994         1993
                                                                                           ----         ----
                                                                                        (unaudited)
                                                                                             In Millions
<S>                                                                                     <C>          <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

Operating Revenues  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $1,151       $1,160
Pretax Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $  135       $  146
Net Operating Income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $   94       $  107
Net Income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $   53       $   66

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Net Plant and Property  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $  994       $  931
Total Assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $1,673       $1,628
Total Debt (excluding current maturities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $  525       $  485
Stockholders' Equity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $  317       $  288
</TABLE>

     In the opinion of the management of CMS Energy, all adjustments requires
have been recorded in order to fairly reflect the financial condition of the
Consumers Gas Group as of such dates and the results of operations of the Gas
Distribution Business for such years.

     The 1994 results of operations were adversely affected by unseasonably
warm weather in November and December 1994, in the service area of the Gas
Distribution Business, resulting in gas sales and gas transported in the fourth
quarter totalling 111 Bcf, a 12 percent decrease from the corresponding 1993
level.





                                      -11-
<PAGE>   42



                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP
                        SUMMARY PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

     The summary pro forma financial data of the Consumers Gas Group presented
below are derived from the Consumers Gas Group Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Financial Statements contained elsewhere herein.  The unaudited pro forma
condensed statements of income for the nine months ended September 30, 1994 and
for the year ended December 31, 1993 reflects an assumed sale and issuance of
5,000,000 shares of Class G Common Stock (assumed to represent 20% of the
equity in the Consumers Gas Group) as if the sale occurred on January 1, 1993.
The net proceeds of the Offering will initially be used to retire CMS Energy
bank debt, none of which was attributable to the Consumers Gas Group.
Accordingly, other than with respect to net income and net income per share
available to outstanding Class G Common Stock shareholders, no pro forma
adjustments were necessary to the Consumers Gas Group's historical financial
statements to give effect to the transactions described above.

     The summary pro forma financial data should be read in conjunction with
"Use of Proceeds," Consumers Gas Group Financial Statements, "Consumers Gas
Group -- Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations," "Business of the Consumers Gas Group," CMS Energy's
Financial Statements and "CMS Energy -- Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained elsewhere herein.  The
summary pro forma financial data are not necessarily indicative of results that
would have occurred if the transactions described above occurred or the capital
structure of the Consumers Gas Group was in effect for the periods indicated,
or of the financial condition or results of the Consumers Gas Group for any
future date or period.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED                  YEAR ENDED
                                                              SEPTEMBER 30, 1994              DECEMBER 31, 1993  
                                                          ----------------------------      ---------------------
                                                          HISTORICAL      PRO FORMA        HISTORICAL    PRO FORMA
                                                         -----------      ---------        ----------    ---------
                                                              DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>               <C>        <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

Operating revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         837             $837              $1,160      $1,160
Operating expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         731              731               1,014       1,014
Pretax operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . .         106              106                 146         146
Net operating income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          74               74                 107         107
Net income available to CMS Energy
  shareholders through Retained Interest  . . . .          45               36(a)               66          53(a)
Net income available to outstanding
  Class G Common Stock shareholders . . . . . . .           -                9(a)                -          13(a)
Net income per share available to outstanding
  Class G Common Stock shareholders . . . . . . .           -             1.80(a)                -        2.60(a)

BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END):

Total assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,625            1,625               1,628       1,628
Long-term debt (excluding current maturities) . .         343              343                 376         376
Notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         110              110                 109         109
Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         861              861                 910         910
Common stockholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . .         325              325                 288         288
_____________                                                                                            
</TABLE>
(a)      Reflects the assumed issuance and sale of 5,000,000 shares of Class G
         Common Stock in the Offering assumed to represent 20% of the rights to
         the earnings of the Consumers Gas Group.





                                      -12-
<PAGE>   43



                                   CMS ENERGY
                      Summary Financial and Operating Data

         The summary financial data of CMS Energy presented below for the nine
months ended September 30, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the CMS Energy
Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere herein.  The summary
financial data for each of the years in the three-year period ended December
31, 1993 were derived from the CMS Energy Consolidated Financial Statements
contained elsewhere herein which have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants.  The following summary data reflect the
historical results of operations, and certain financial and operating data of
the CMS Energy and its consolidated subsidiaries and should be read in
conjunction with the "CMS Energy's Financial Statements and "CMS Energy --
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" contained elsewhere herein.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,             Years Ended December 31, 
                                                     ------------------          -------------------------
                                                      1994         1993          1993        1992        1991
                                                      ----         ----          ----        ----        ----
                                                          (Unaudited)
                                                             Dollars in millions, except as noted
<S>                                                    <C>       <C>             <C>       <C>         <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

Operating Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $2,705    $2,546          $3,482    $3,146      $ 2,998
Pretax Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $  408    $  351          $  439    $  231      $   261
Net income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $  148    $  128          $  155    $ (297)     $  (276)(a)
Earnings (loss) per average common share  . . . . .    $ 1.73    $ 1.60          $ 1.90    $(3.72)     $ (3.44)(a)
Average common shares outstanding
   (in thousands) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    85,742    80,097          81,251     79,877      79,988
Cash dividends declared per common share  . . . . .    $  .57    $  .42          $  .60     $  .48     $   .48

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Net plant and property  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $4,752    $4,495          $4,583     $4,326     $ 4,121
Total assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $7,161    $7,035          $6,964     $6,848     $ 6,194
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities  . . .    $2,378    $2,621          $2,405     $2,725     $ 1,941
Notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $  401    $  564          $  259     $  215     $   708
Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $3,224    $3,309          $3,315     $3,135     $ 2,962
                                                       ------    ------          ------     ------     -------

Common stockholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . .    $1,085    $  830          $  966     $  727     $ 1,060
                                                       ======    ======          ======     ======     =======
</TABLE>

______________________

(a) Amount in 1991 included an extraordinary loss of $14 million, after tax or
    $.18 per average common share.





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   44




                              CLASS G COMMON STOCK

GENERAL

     The Class G Common Stock is one of two classes of Common Stock (the
"Common Stock") of CMS Energy, the other being the CMS Energy Common Stock.
The Class G Common Stock is intended to reflect the separate performance of the
businesses attributed to the Consumers Gas Group and to provide holders with
financial returns based on the performance of the businesses attributed to the
Consumers Gas Group.  The CMS Energy Common Stock is intended to reflect the
performance of all businesses conducted by CMS Energy and its subsidiaries
except for the interest in the Consumers Gas Group attributable to the
outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock, and to provide holders with
financial returns based on such performance.

     Although the financial statements of the Consumers Gas Group will
separately report the assets, liabilities (including contingent liabilities)
and shareholders' equity of CMS Energy attributed to the Consumers Gas Group,
such attribution will not affect CMS Energy's legal title to such assets or
responsibility for such liabilities.  Holders of Class G Common Stock will be,
and holders of CMS Energy Common Stock are, shareholders of CMS Energy, which
continues to be responsible for all of its liabilities.  Financial results
arising from the business of CMS Energy (including its Retained Interest, as
defined herein, in the Consumers Gas Group) or from the business of the
Consumers Gas Group could affect the market price of both classes of Common
Stock.  In addition, any net losses of CMS Energy or the Consumers Gas Group,
and dividends or distributions on, or repurchases of, either class of Common
Stock will reduce the assets of CMS Energy legally available for payment of
dividends on both classes of Common Stock.  Accordingly, CMS Energy's
consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the
Consumers Gas Group's financial information.

DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND POLICY

     The Class G Common Stock is intended to reflect the separate performance
of the Consumers Gas Group.  Dividends on the Class G Common Stock will be paid
at the discretion of the Board of Directors based primarily upon the earnings
and financial condition of the Consumers Gas Group, and, to a lesser extent,
CMS Energy as a whole.  Subject to the restrictions described below, if the
earnings and financial condition of the Consumers Gas Group permit, dividends
with respect to the Class G Common Stock are expected to be paid commensurate
with dividend practices of comparable publicly-held local natural gas
distribution companies generally.  Management believes that such practices
currently are to pay out from 70% to 85% of annual earnings available for
common stock.  Consistent with this policy, if _______________ shares of Class
G Common Stock representing 100% of the equity attributed to the Consumers Gas
Group had been outstanding during all of 1994, CMS Energy would have paid a
dividend at an annual rate ranging from $__________ per share to $__________per
share on the Class G Common Stock.  It is the Board of Directors' current
intention that the declaration or payment of dividends with respect to the
Class G Common Stock will not be reduced, suspended or eliminated as a result
of factors arising out of or relating to the electric utility business or the
non-utility businesses of CMS Energy unless such factors also require, in the
Board of Directors' sole discretion, the omission of the declaration or
reduction in payment of dividends on both the CMS Energy Common Stock and the
Class G Common Stock.  While the Board of Directors does not currently intend
to change this dividend policy, it reserves the right to do so at any time and
from time to time.  Under the Articles of Incorporation and Michigan law, the
Board of Directors is not required to declare, and CMS Energy is not required
to pay, dividends in accordance with the foregoing dividend policy.





                                      -14-
<PAGE>   45




     Dividends on the Class G Common Stock are limited by Michigan law, certain
agreements to which CMS Energy is a party and CMS Energy's Articles of
Incorporation and will be payable when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors out of the lesser of (i) the assets of CMS Energy legally available
therefor and (ii) the Available Class G Dividend Amount.  There can be no
assurance that there will be an Available Class G Dividend Amount.  See
"Dividend Policy."

     The ability of CMS Energy to pay dividends on its Class G Common Stock and
CMS Energy Common Stock also depends, and will depend, substantially upon
timely receipt of sufficient dividends or other distributions from its
subsidiaries, in particular Consumers.  Consumers' ability to pay dividends on
its Common Stock depends on its revenues, earnings and other factors.  As a
regulated entity, Consumers' rates are set by the MPSC.  See "Primary Source of
Dividends for the Common Stock of CMS Energy; Restrictions on Source of
Dividends."

     As of September 30, 1994, assuming the Offering had been completed at that
time, the Available Class G Dividend Amount would have been approximately $65
million (assuming a Gas Group Fraction of 20%), or approximately $_____ million
(based on a Gas Group Fraction of _____%), assuming that the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full.

AUTHORIZED SHARES OF CLASS G COMMON STOCK

     Immediately prior to the first issuance of shares of Class G Common Stock,
the Board of Directors will determine the number of the 60 million authorized
shares of Class G Common Stock which are deemed to represent 100% of the common
stockholders' equity of CMS Energy attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, and
such number will represent the initial  Retained Interest Shares.  The
authorized but unissued shares of Class G Common Stock in excess of (i) the
Retained Interest Shares and (ii) any outstanding shares of the Class G Common
Stock, are referred to herein as the "Additional Shares."

     Assuming that 25 million Retained Interest Shares will represent 100% of
the equity attributable to the Consumers Gas Group, the following diagrams
illustrate the numbers of Retained Interest Shares and Additional Shares before
the first issuance of any shares of Class G Common Stock, and assuming an
initial public offering of five million shares of Class G Common Stock from the
Retained Interest Shares:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Before Offering                   After Offering                                                   
       ---------------                   --------------                                                   
 <S>                                    <C>
 35 million Additional Shares           35 million Additional Shares                                                              

 25 million Retained Interest           20 million Retained Interest
    Shares                                 Shares                                                                                 

                                         5 million Outstanding Shares                                 
</TABLE>

     Any issuance of Retained Interest Shares would reduce the percentage
interest of CMS Energy in the Consumers Gas Group.

     Any issuance of Additional Shares would reduce the Retained Interest of
CMS Energy in the Consumers Gas Group and, if issued after the first issuance
of shares of Class G Common Stock, would also reduce the percentage interest of
the holders of outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock in the Consumers Gas
Group, unless such Additional Shares were issued as a dividend on such
outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock.





                                      -15-
<PAGE>   46




RETAINED INTEREST; GAS GROUP FRACTION

     The Retained Interest represents the portion of the common stockholders'
equity of CMS Energy attributable to the Consumers Gas Group retained by CMS
Energy and not attributable to the outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock.
The Retained Interest is represented by the Retained Interest Shares (as
defined herein).  If, as assumed in the example set forth under "Authorized
Shares of Class G Common Stock" above, five million shares of Class G Common
stock are sold in the planned initial public offering, the Retained Interest of
CMS Energy would be deemed to be 20 million Retained Interest Shares of Class G
Common Stock representing 80% of the equity of the Consumers Gas Group.  The
Retained Interest Shares are not deemed to be outstanding shares of Class G
Common Stock and have no voting rights.

     The "Gas Group Fraction" is the percentage interest in the common
stockholders' equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group represented by the
outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock; the balance of the equity interest
(the "Retained Interest Fraction") will be attributed to the Retained Interest.
Following the completion of the Offering, the Gas Group Fraction as a
percentage initially will be ___%.  If the Underwriters' over-allotment option
is exercised in full, the Gas Group Fraction as a percentage initially will be
_____%.

     CMS Energy intends to invest the net proceeds of the Offering in the
businesses and for general corporate purposes of CMS Energy.  Initially, such
net proceeds will be used to repay a portion of the debt of CMS Energy (none of
which is attributable to the Consumers Gas Group).  See "Use of Proceeds."
After completion of the Offering, any securities issued by CMS Energy and its
subsidiaries would be specifically attributed to and reflected in the financial
statements of the Consumers Gas Group to the extent that the Board of Directors
determines that such securities are issued for the benefit of the Consumers Gas
Group.  Any cash of CMS Energy attributed to the Consumers Gas Group would be
accounted for as short-term loans unless the Board of Directors made a specific
determination that a given attribution (or type of attribution) should be
accounted for as a long-term loan or an attribution of cash of CMS Energy to
the Consumers Gas Group as an equity contribution, which would increase the
Retained Interest Shares, or cash of CMS Energy ceasing to be attributed to the
Consumers Gas Group, which would decrease the Retained Interest Shares.  If the
net proceeds of an offering of Class G Common Stock were attributed to CMS
Energy's Retained Interest in the Consumers Gas Group, the Retained Interest
Shares of CMS Energy would be reduced.

     Any issuance of shares of Class G Common Stock would dilute the relative
voting power of holders of shares of Class G Common Stock outstanding prior to
such issuance.

     The Board of Directors could, in its sole discretion, determine from time
to time to cause cash or other property attributed to the Consumers Gas Group
to cease to be attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, which would decrease the
Retained Interest Shares and the Retained Interest as a percentage of the
common stockholders' equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, and would
increase the Gas Group Fraction.  The Board of Directors could, in its sole
discretion, determine from time to time to attribute additional cash or other
property to the Consumers Gas Group, which would increase the Retained Interest
Shares and the Retained Interest as a percentage of the common stockholders'
equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, and decrease the Gas Group
Fraction.  The Board of Directors could determine, in its sole discretion, to
make such attributions after consideration of a number of factors, including,
among others, the relative levels of internally generated cash flows of each
business of CMS Energy, the long-term business prospects for each business of
CMS Energy, including the Consumers Gas Group, the capital expenditure plans of
and the investment opportunities available to each business





                                      -16-
<PAGE>   47



of CMS Energy and the availability, cost and time associated with alternative
financing sources.  See "Certain Management and Accounting Policies--Accounting
Matters."

     In the event of any dividend or other distribution on outstanding shares
of Class G Common Stock while CMS Energy has a Retained Interest, the Consumers
Gas Group's financial statements would be charged in respect of the Retained
Interest with an amount equal to the product of (i) the aggregate amount paid
in respect of such dividend or other distribution, and (ii) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the Retained Interest Shares and the denominator of which
is the total number of shares of Class G Common Stock then issued and
outstanding.

     In the event that CMS Energy repurchases shares of Class G Common Stock
for consideration that is not attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, the
Retained Interest Shares and the Retained Interest as a percentage of the
common stockholders' equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group would
increase, and the Gas Group Fraction would decrease accordingly.  In the event
that CMS Energy repurchases shares of Class G Common Stock for consideration
that is attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, the Retained Interest Shares
would not change, but the Retained Interest as a percentage of the common
stockholders' equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group would increase, and
the Gas Group Fraction would decrease accordingly.  The Board of Directors
could, in its sole discretion, determine whether repurchases of Class G Common
Stock should be made with consideration attributed to the Consumers Gas Group
by considering a number of factors, including, among others, the relative
levels of internally generated cash flows of each business of CMS Energy, the
long-term business prospects for each business of CMS Energy, the capital
expenditure plans of and the investment opportunities available to each
business of CMS Energy and the availability, cost and time associated with
alternative financing sources.  See "Certain Management and Accounting
Policies--Accounting Matters."

     For further discussion of, and illustrations of the calculation of the
Retained Interest Fraction, the Gas Group Fraction and the Retained Interest
Shares and the effects thereon of issuances and repurchases of, and dividends
on, shares of the Class G Common Stock, and attribution of net assets to and
from the Consumers Gas Group, see "Description of Capital Stock--Retained
Interest of CMS Energy in Consumers Gas Group; Gas Group Fraction" and Appendix
II to this Prospectus.

VOTING RIGHTS

     The holders of Class G Common Stock and CMS Energy Common Stock will vote
together as a single class on all matters as to which all common shareholders
are entitled to vote.  On all such matters, each share of Class G Common Stock
entitles its holder to one vote, and each share of CMS Energy Common Stock will
entitle its holder to one vote.

     The Articles of Incorporation also provide that unless the vote or consent
of the holders of a greater number of shares shall be required by law, the
approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class
of Common Stock, voting as a separate class, will be necessary for authorizing,
effecting or validating the merger or consolidation of CMS Energy into or with
any other corporation if such merger or consolidation would adversely affect
the powers or special rights of such class of stock, either directly or
indirectly.  See "Description of Capital Stock -- Class G Common Stock--Voting"
and "-- CMS Energy Common Stock--Voting."  If CMS Energy in any manner
subdivides (by stock split, stock dividend or otherwise) or combines (by
reverse stock split or otherwise) the outstanding shares of either Class G
Common Stock or CMS Energy Common Stock, the voting rights of CMS Energy Common
Stock relative to Class G Common Stock will be appropriately adjusted so as to
avoid any dilution in the aggregate voting power of either class of Common
Stock.





                                      -17-
<PAGE>   48



LIQUIDATION, SUBDIVISION AND COMBINATION

     In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of CMS Energy, each
outstanding share of CMS Energy Common Stock and Class G Common Stock will
entitle its holder to a share of the assets of CMS Energy remaining for
distribution to holders of Common Stock equal to the amount determined by
dividing the total amount remaining for distribution by the total number of
shares of CMS Energy Common Stock and Glass G Common Stock then outstanding.

     If CMS Energy in any manner subdivides (by stock split, stock dividend or
otherwise) or combines (by reverse stock split or otherwise) the outstanding
shares of either Class G Common Stock or CMS Energy Common Stock, the
liquidation rights of the holder of each share CMS Energy Common Stock relative
to the holder of each share Class G Common Stock will be appropriately adjusted
so as to avoid any dilution in the aggregate liquidation rights of the holders
of either class of Common Stock.

EXCHANGE

     At any time after CMS Energy has transferred all of the assets and
liabilities attributed to the Consumers Gas Group to a subsidiary of CMS Energy
which has no other assets or liabilities, CMS Energy, in the sole discretion of
the Board of Directors, may exchange for all outstanding shares of Class G
Common Stock a number of shares of common stock of such subsidiary equal to the
Gas Group Fraction multiplied by the number of outstanding shares of common
stock of such subsidiary.  CMS Energy will retain the balance of the
outstanding shares of common stock of such subsidiary, which balance will be
attributed to CMS Energy on account of its Retained Interest.

     In the event of a Disposition of all or substantially all of the
properties and assets attributed to the Consumers Gas Group to any person
(other than to the holders of all outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock or
to a person in which CMS Energy, directly or indirectly, owns at least a
majority equity interest), CMS Energy is required, subject to certain
exceptions and conditions, to exchange for each outstanding share of Class G
Common Stock a number of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock having a Fair Market
Value equal to 110% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Class G Common
Stock as of the date of the first public announcement by CMS Energy of such
Disposition.

     CMS Energy also may, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, at
any time, exchange for each outstanding share of Class G Common Stock a number
of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to 115%
of the Fair Market Value of one share of Class G Common Stock as of the first
public announcement by CMS Energy of such exchange.





                                      -18-
<PAGE>   49

                              FACTORS TO CONSIDER

PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS

     CMS Energy is a legal entity separate and distinct from its various
subsidiaries.  As a holding company with no significant operations of its own,
the principal sources of its funds are dividends or other distributions from
its operating subsidiaries, (principally Consumers), borrowings and sales of
equity.  The ability of Consumers and other subsidiaries of CMS Energy to pay
dividends or make distributions to CMS Energy, and, accordingly, the ability of
CMS Energy to pay dividends on either class of its Common Stock will depend on
its earnings, financial requirements and contractual restrictions of
subsidiaries of CMS Energy, in particular, Consumers, and other factors.  As a
regulated entity, Consumers' rates are set by the MPSC.  Consumers' ability to
pay dividends is restricted by its First Mortgage Bond Indenture ("Mortgage
Indenture") and its Articles of Incorporation ("Articles").  See "Primary
Source of Dividends for the Common Stock of CMS Energy; Restrictions on Sources
of Dividends" for information concerning these restrictions.  Under the most
restrictive of these conditions, at December 31, 1994, $___ million of
Consumers' retained earnings were available to pay cash dividends on its common
stock.  Currently it is Consumers' policy to pay annual dividends equal to 80%
of its annual consolidated net income.  Consumers Board of Directors reserves
the right to change this policy at any time.  Consumers paid dividends on its
common stock of $16.0 million on February 22, 1994, $65.6 million on May 20,
1994, $31.0 million on August 19, 1994, $36.0 million on November 4, 1994, and
$27.4 million on  December 20, 1994.

     Dividends on the Class G Common Stock are limited by Michigan law, certain
agreements to which CMS Energy is a party and CMS Energy's Articles of
Incorporation and will be payable when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors out of the lesser of (i) the assets of CMS Energy legally available
therefor and (ii) the Available Class G Dividend Amount.  If an Offering had
been completed at September 30, 1994, the Available Class G Dividend Amount as
of such date would have been approximately $65 million, assuming a Gas Group
Fraction of 20%, (or approximately $___________ million, assuming a Gas Group
Fraction of ______%, because the Underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised in full).  Under the most restrictive contractual limitations on CMS
Energy's ability to pay dividends $377 of CMS Energy's retained earnings at
September 30, 1994, were available to pay cash dividends on its  Common Stock.

     Net losses of CMS Energy or the Consumers Gas Group and distributions on
either class of Common Stock will reduce the assets legally available for
payment of dividends on both classes of Common Stock.  Subject to the
restrictions on the assets out of which dividends on the Common Stock may be
paid, as described below and under "Description of CMS Energy Common Stock" and
"Description of Class G Common Stock," CMS Energy, in the sole discretion of
its Board of Directors, would be able to pay dividends exclusively on either
the Class G Common Stock or the CMS Energy Common Stock, or on both, in equal
or unequal amounts, notwithstanding the respective amounts of assets or
earnings available for dividends on each class, the amounts of prior dividends
declared on each class or any other factor.  Payment of dividends on either
class of Common Stock will decrease the amount of funds available under the
limitations described above for the payment of dividends on both classes of
Common Stock.  It is the Board of Directors' current intention that the
declaration or payment of dividends with respect to the Class G Common Stock
will not be reduced, suspended or eliminated as a result of factors arising out
of or relating to the electric utility business or the non-utility businesses
of CMS Energy unless such factors also require, in the Board of Directors' sole
discretion, the omission of the declaration or reduction in payment of
dividends on both the CMS Energy Common Stock and the Class G Common Stock.
CMS Energy has paid cash dividends on shares of CMS Energy Common Stock since
1989.





                                      -19-
<PAGE>   50

BUSINESS OF THE CONSUMERS GAS GROUP AND CMS ENERGY

     GAS COMPETITION.  Competition with respect to the Gas Distribution
Business comes primarily from alternate energy sources such as electricity
(including electricity generated and sold by Consumers), propane, and to a
lesser degree, oil and wood.  Residential and commercial customers accounted
for approximately 70% and 20%, respectively, of the 1993 revenues of the
Consumers Gas Group.  In most of its service territory, the Consumers Gas Group
has little direct competition with respect to its traditional utility service
to residential customers.

     The Consumers Gas Group also competes in the natural gas market in its
service territory with parties (principally interstate pipeline companies)
desiring to sell or transport gas directly to the Consumers Gas Group's
industrial and commercial customers.  These competitors propose to "by-pass"
the facilities of the Consumers Gas Group by offering to transport and supply
natural gas to industrial customers which are willing to build the necessary
interconnection from the customer to the competing interstate pipeline.  The
Consumers Gas Group typically responds to this by-pass competition by offering
gas transportation and storage services to customers that elect to acquire
their gas supplies from some other supplier.  Because earnings from the Gas
Distribution Business are not substantially dependent on gas purchased and
resold to customers, but rather on the ownership and operation of the gas
distribution, storage and transportation facilities, Consumers has not suffered
any significant losses as a result of such competition, nor is it believed that
such losses are likely to be incurred by the Consumers Gas Group.

     The Consumers Gas Group competes with fuel oil suppliers in making sales
to its industrial customers.

     The Consumers Gas Group will attempt to retain, and if possible expand,
the markets in which it is most vulnerable, such as the large industrial
market, through favorable rate design, business development and related
efforts.  The Consumers Gas Group continues to (i) develop or promote new
sources and uses of natural gas and/or new services, rates and contracts; (ii)
purchase gas from lowest cost suppliers consistent with operating and long-term
gas supply needs; and (iii) emphasize and provide high quality services to its
customers.

     Approximately 30% of the retail gas customers served by the Consumers Gas
Group are also served or capable of being served by electricity provided by
Consumers' electric utility business.  Thus, for some applications (including
space heating, water heating, and powering of certain industrial processes and
household appliances) the Consumers Gas Group may compete with Consumers for
such customers.  Decisions made by the management of Consumers with regard to
the services and prices charged to such customers could have an adverse effect
on the Consumers Gas Group.

     REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS.  The Gas Distribution Business is subject to
the jurisdiction of the MPSC which regulates public utilities in Michigan with
respect to retail utility rates, accounting, services, certain facilities and
various other matters.  MGS is regulated by the FERC.

     The MPSC establishes the rates the Consumers Gas Group can charge its
customers.  As a regulated company under MPSC jurisdiction, the Consumers Gas
Group may apply to the MPSC for rate increases if increased costs or other
factors warrant.  Such rates typically go into effect following a contested
case proceeding before the MPSC.  The MPSC attempts to conclude such
proceedings and issue a final order within 12 months from the initial filing of
the general rate case.

     In July 1994 the MPSC approved an agreement between the MPSC staff and
Consumers to charge $10 million of costs for postretirement benefits against
1994 earnings.  This charge against earnings will partially offset savings
related to state property taxes which have been reduced.  The





                                      -20-
<PAGE>   51

agreement was reached in response to a claim that gas utility business earnings
for 1993 were excessive.  The agreement also provides for an additional $4
million of postretirement benefit costs to be charged against 1995 earnings.
As part of the agreement, Consumers filed a gas rate case on December 29, 1994.
Consumers requested an increase in its gas rates of $21 million annually.  The
request, among other things, incorporates cost increases, including costs for
postretirement benefits and costs related to Consumers' former manufactured gas
plant sites.  Consumers requested that the MPSC authorize a 13% return on
equity, instead of the currently authorized rate of 13.25%.  A final order is
expected in late 1995.  Consumers' most recent rate filing for its electric
utility business resulted in an authorized rate of return on equity of 11.75%.
No assurance can be given as to the level of rates which will be authorized by
the MPSC.

     In gas rate cases the MPSC determines, among other things, an appropriate
capital structure, including equity, for the Gas Distribution Business and
approves a rate of return on such equity.  Because the Gas Distribution
Business is part of Consumers, it does not have its own capital structure.
Accordingly, in the last gas rate case decided by the MPSC relating to the Gas
Distribution Business, the MPSC utilized a capital structure for rate making
purposes which is derived from the capital structure of an independent gas
distribution company which the MPSC regarded as appropriate for the Gas
Distribution Business (the "Proxy Capital Structure").  It is possible that in
current and future gas rate cases, the MPSC may use another methodology to
determine equity used for rate making purposes for the Consumers Gas Group or
otherwise select a methodology different than the Proxy Capital Structure.  The
capital structure employed for ratemaking purposes directly affects the overall
rate of return of a rate regulated enterprise.

     SEASONALITY AND WEATHER.  A major determinant of gas usage for any period
is the weather, particularly with respect to residential and commercial
customers who use natural gas for space heating and, to a lesser extent
industrial customers.  Approximately 93% of the customers of the Consumers Gas
Group are residential customers, of which 98% use natural gas for space
heating.  Accordingly, the Consumers Gas Group's business is seasonal with
approximately 74% of its revenues generated in the first and fourth quarters of
each year.  The heating degree days for 1993 were 7,183, approximately 1.7%
colder than the average heating degree days for the 30-year period ended
December 31, 1993 and the heating degree days for the nine months ended
September 30, 1994 were 4,965, 6.6% colder than the nine months ended September
30, 1993.  However, unseasonably warm weather in November and December 1994
resulted in gas sales and gas transported in the fourth quarter of 1994
totalling 111 Bcf, a 12 percent decrease from the corresponding period of 1993.
The average heating degree days for the 30 years, 10 years and 5 years ended
December 31, 1993 were 7,060, 6,897 and 6,896, respectively.  Generally,
consumption for heating purposes increases as heating degree days increase with
a corresponding improvement in results of operations of the Consumers Gas
Group.  If during the heating season, the weather in the Consumers Gas Group's
service area is warmer than normal, its results of operations will be adversely
affected.

     RISKS RELATED TO OTHER BUSINESSES OF CMS ENERGY.  As noted herein, the
availability and amount of dividends payable with respect to the Class G Common
Stock could be adversely affected by any losses incurred in other businesses
conducted by CMS Energy, particularly the Consumers electric utility business
and the foreign oil and gas business conducted by subsidiaries of Enterprises.
For example, issues pertaining to Consumers' Power Purchase Agreement ("PPA")
with MCV Partnership could have a material adverse effect on the earnings or
financial condition of Consumers.   Consumers is obligated to purchase 1,240
megawatts ("MW") in 1995 and each year thereafter through approximately 2025 of
contract electric generation capacity from the MCV Partnership under the PPA.

     Since 1990, the ability of Consumers to recover from its electric rate
payers capacity and fixed-energy costs for power purchased by Consumers from
the MCV Partnership has been a





                                      -21-
<PAGE>   52

significant issue.  Effective January 1, 1993, a Settlement Order (the
"Settlement Order") issued by the MPSC allowed Consumers to recover from its
electric retail customers substantially all of the payments for Consumers
ongoing purchase of 915 MW of contract capacity from the MCV Partnership,
significantly reducing the amount of future underrecoveries for these power
costs.  Claims of appeal of the Settlement Order have been filed with the
Michigan Court of Appeals (the "Court of Appeals").  Capacity and energy
purchases from the MCV Partnership above the 915 MW level can be competitively
bid into Consumers' next solicitation for power or, if necessary, utilized for
current power needs with a prudency review and a pricing recovery determination
in annual power supply cost recovery ("PSCR") cases.  In either instance, the
MPSC would determine the levels of recovery from customers for the power
purchased.  The Settlement Order also provides Consumers the right to remarket
all of the remaining capacity to third parties.

     Prior to the Settlement Order, Consumers had recorded losses for
underrecoveries from 1990 through 1992.  In December 1992, Consumers recognized
an after-tax loss of $343 million for the present value of estimated future
underrecoveries of power costs under the PPA as a result of the Settlement
Order, based on management's best estimates regarding the future availability
of the natural gas-fueled, combined cycle cogeneration facility operated by the
MCV Partnership (the "MCV Facility"), and the effect of the future wholesale
power market on the amount, timing and price at which various increments of the
capacity above the MPSC-authorized level could be resold.  Except for
adjustments to the above loss to reflect the after-tax time value of money
through accretion expense, no additional losses are expected unless actual
future experience materially differs from management's estimates.  The
after-tax expense for the time value of money for the $343 million loss is
estimated to be approximately $24 million in 1994, and various lower levels
thereafter, including $22 million in 1995 and $20 million in 1996.  Although
the settlement losses were recorded in 1992, Consumers  continues to experience
cash underrecoveries associated with the Settlement Order, which
underrecoveries amounted to $59 million in 1993, and totaled $51 million for
the first nine months in 1994.  Consumers believes there is and will be a
market for the resale of capacity purchases from the MCV Partnership above the
MPSC-authorized level.  If the Settlement Agreement is not upheld on appeal or
Consumers is unable to sell any capacity above the current MPSC-authorized
level, future additional after-tax losses and after-tax cash underrecoveries
could be incurred at levels which could have a material adverse effect on
Consumers' earnings and financial condition.  See Note 4 to Notes to CMS
Energy's Financial Statements for further information as to the magnitude of
these potential losses and underrecoveries.

     In addition, while CMS Energy believes that all of its operations are
conducted in accordance with industry and regulatory standards and that its
insurance coverages are adequate and prudent, a major failure at one of its two
nuclear electric generating stations or a material increase in the current
levels of decommissioning costs being funded by Consumers could have a material
adverse effect on its earnings and financial condition.  In November 1993,
Consumers' Palisades ("Palisades") nuclear plant located near South Haven,
Michigan, returned to service following a planned refueling and maintenance
outage that had been extended due to several unanticipated repairs.  The
results of a Nuclear Regulatory Commission ("NRC") review of Consumers'
performance at Palisades published shortly after the planned outage showed a
decline in performance ratings for the plant.  In order to provide NRC senior
management with a more in-depth assessment of plant performance, the NRC
conducted a diagnostic evaluation inspection at Palisades.  The inspection,
completed in June 1994, found certain performance, operational and management
deficiencies at Palisades.  The NRC acknowledged that the new Palisades senior
management team, in place since early 1994, had recognized and begun to address
the problems at Palisades.  In August 1994, Consumers filed its response to the
NRC's diagnostic evaluation report, which included both short- and long-term
enhancements planned for Palisades to improve performance.  Acceptable
performance at Palisades will require continuing performance





                                      -22-
<PAGE>   53

improvements and additional expenditures at the plant, which have been included
in Consumers' total planned levels of expenditures.

     As an NRC licensee, Consumers is required to make certain calculations and
report to the NRC about the continuing ability of the Palisades reactor vessel
to withstand postulated "pressurized thermal shock" events during its remaining
license life, in light of the embrittlement of reactor vessel materials over
time due to operation in a radioactive environment.  If the results of the
calculation indicate that a temperature screening criterion will be exceeded,
Consumers must determine what, if any, plant modifications are necessary to
avoid exceeding the screening criterion value.  Analysis of recent data from
testing of similar materials indicates that the Palisades reactor vessel could
exceed the screening criterion prior to 2000.  Consumers is also continuing to
analyze alternative means to permit continued operation of Palisades to the end
of its license life in the year 2007.  Consumers cannot predict the outcome of
these efforts.  It is currently estimated that expenditures for corrective
action related to this issue could total $20 million to $30 million.  See Note
3 to Notes to CMS Energy's Consolidated Financial Statements.

     The Incorporated Documents discuss the various regulatory, environmental,
litigation and other matters which could adversely affect Consumers' electric
business, and describe Consumers' electric business generally.  The
Incorporated Documents should be reviewed by investors in connection with this
Offering.

     ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.  The Gas Distribution Business is subject to
regulation with respect to environmental quality, including air and water
quality, zoning and other matters by various federal, state and local
authorities.  The Consumers Gas Group expects that it will ultimately incur
clean-up costs at a number of sites, including some of the 23 sites that
formerly housed manufactured gas plant facilities.  See "Business of the
Consumers Gas Group--Environmental Matters."  Data available to Consumers and
its continued internal analysis have resulted in estimated remedial costs for
all 23 sites of between $40 million and $140 million.  These estimates are
based on undiscounted 1994 costs.  As of September 30, 1994, the Consumers Gas
Group had accrued a liability of $40 million, representing the minimum amount
in the range, which is reflected on the financial statements of the Consumers
Gas Group included herein.  Discussions have been initiated with certain
insurance companies with regard to coverage for some or all of the costs which
may be incurred to remediate these sites and the Consumers Gas Group believes
that any uninsured costs incurred will be recoverable in rates charged to its
customers authorized by the MPSC.  Accordingly, Consumers has recorded a
regulatory asset for the amount of the accrued liability.  The outcome of these
matters may effect the results of operations of the Consumers Gas Group.  See
"Business of the Consumers Gas Group--Environmental Matters."

     PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 1935.  CMS Energy is a public
utility holding company which is exempt from registration under the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 ("PUHCA").  However, in December 1991, the
Attorney General of the State of Michigan (the "Attorney General") and Michigan
Municipal Cooperative Group (the "MMCG") asked the Commission to revoke CMS
Energy's status as an exempt holding company and to require it to register
under PUHCA.  In April 1992, the MPSC filed a statement with the Commission
recommending that CMS Energy's current exemption be revoked and a new exemption
be issued conditioned upon certain reporting and operating requirements.  If
CMS Energy were to lose its current exemption, it would become more heavily
regulated by the Commission; Consumers could ultimately be forced to divest
either the Gas Distribution Business of the Consumers Gas Group or Consumers'
electric utility business; and CMS Energy would be restricted from conducting
business that are not functionally related to the conduct of the utility
business as determined by the Commission.  CMS Energy is opposing this request
and believes it will maintain its current exemption from registration under
PUHCA.  See "Business of Consumers Gas Group--Legal





                                      -23-
<PAGE>   54

Proceedings."  In the event CMS Energy is required to divest the Gas
Distribution Business, such divestment in all likelihood would constitute a
Disposition of "substantially all of the properties and assets attributed to
the Consumers Gas Group" under the Articles of Incorporation and would require
CMS Energy to exchange for each outstanding share of Class G Common Stock a
number of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to
110% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Class G Common Stock as of the
date of the first public announcement by CMS Energy of such Disposition.  See
"Description of Capital Stock--Class G Common Stock--Exchange or Redemption."

THE CLASS G COMMON STOCK

     SHAREHOLDERS OF ONE COMPANY; FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF CMS ENERGY COULD AFFECT
THE CONSUMERS GAS GROUP.  Notwithstanding the attribution of assets and
liabilities (including contingent liabilities), common stockholders' equity and
items of income and expense of CMS Energy to the Consumers Gas Group for the
purpose of preparing the financial statements of the Consumers Gas Group, the
change in the capital stock structure of CMS Energy will not affect CMS
Energy's title to its assets or CMS Energy's responsibility for its
liabilities.  CMS Energy and its subsidiaries will each continue to be
responsible for their respective liabilities.  Holders of Class G Common Stock
and CMS Energy Common Stock will be common shareholders of CMS Energy and will
be subject to all of the risks associated with an investment in CMS Energy and
all of its businesses, assets and liabilities.

     Financial results arising from the businesses of CMS Energy, other than
the business of the Consumers Gas Group, that affect CMS Energy's consolidated
results of operations or financial condition could affect the financial
position of the Consumers Gas Group or the market price of the Class G Common
Stock.  If any of CMS Energy's financial covenants in its debt instruments is
breached, no dividends may be paid on the Class G Common Stock.  See "Dividend
Policy."  Further, a similar breach by Consumers in its debt instruments would
restrict its ability to pay dividends to CMS Energy.  The ability of CMS Energy
to pay dividends on its Common Stock depends substantially upon timely receipt
of sufficient dividends or other distributions from Consumers.  See "Primary
Source of Dividends for the Common Stock of CMS Energy; Restrictions or Sources
of Dividends."  In addition, any net losses of CMS Energy and dividends or
distributions on, or repurchases of, either class of Common Stock will reduce
the assets of CMS Energy legally available for payment of dividends on the
Class G Common Stock.  Accordingly, CMS Energy's consolidated financial
information should be read in conjunction with the Consumers Gas Group's
financial information.  CMS Energy will provide to holders of Class G Common
Stock separate financial statements, management's discussion and analysis of
financial condition and results of operations, business descriptions and other
information for both the Consumers Gas Group and CMS Energy and its
consolidated subsidiaries, respectively.  Such financial statements would
reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the
businesses reflected therein.  However, such financial statements could also
include contingent liabilities that are not separately identified with
particular business operations.

     FIDUCIARY DUTIES.  Although CMS Energy is aware of no precedent concerning
the manner in which Michigan law would be applied to a board of directors'
duties in the context of multiple classes of common stock with divergent
interests, CMS Energy believes that a Michigan court would hold that a board of
directors owes an equal duty to all shareholders regardless of class and does
not have separate or additional duties to any group of shareholders.  That duty
requires each director to act in good faith with the care an ordinarily prudent
person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances, and in a
manner such director reasonably believes to be in the best interests of CMS
Energy.  CMS Energy believes that, under Michigan law, a good faith
determination by a disinterested and adequately informed board, or a committee
thereof, which discharges such duty, and which the directors honestly believe
is in the best interests of CMS





                                      -24-
<PAGE>   55

Energy, would be a defense to any challenge by or on behalf of the holders of
either class of Common Stock to a Board of Directors determination that could
have a disparate effect on each class of Common Stock.

     Disproportionate ownership interests of members of the Board of Directors
in one or both classes of Common Stock of CMS Energy or disparate values of the
classes of Common Stock of CMS Energy could create or appear to create
potential conflicts of interest when directors are faced with decisions that
could have different implications for different classes.  Nevertheless, CMS
Energy believes that a director would be able to discharge his or her fiduciary
duties even if his or her interests in shares of the classes of Common Stock
were disproportionate and/or had disparate values.  CMS Energy's stock option
plans have been amended to permit the issuance of options for, or other
incentive awards consisting of, any class of Common Stock of CMS Energy,
including the Class G Common Stock.

     POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.  The existence of separate classes of
Common Stock could give rise to occasions when the interests of the holders of
Class G Common Stock and holders of CMS Energy Common Stock may diverge or
appear to diverge.  Examples include determinations by the Board of Directors
to (i) pay or omit the payment of dividends on either class of Common Stock,
(ii) attribute the proceeds of issuances of securities of CMS Energy either to
CMS Energy or to the equity of the Consumers Gas Group, (iii) attribute
consideration to be received by common stockholders in connection with a merger
or consolidation including CMS Energy to either or both classes of Common
Stock, (iv) exchange CMS Energy Common Stock for all outstanding Class G Common
Stock at a premium, (v) approve dispositions of assets of CMS Energy
attributable to the Consumers Gas Group and (vi) make operational and financial
decisions with respect to either CMS Energy or the Consumers Gas Group that
could be considered to be detrimental to the other.  Each of the foregoing
potential conflicts of interest is discussed below.

                 No Assurance of Payment of Dividends.  CMS Energy is a legal
         entity separate and distinct from its various subsidiaries.  As a
         holding company with no significant operations of its own, the
         principal sources of its funds are dividends or other distributions
         from its operating subsidiaries (principally Consumers), borrowings
         and sales of equity.  The ability of Consumers and other subsidiaries
         of CMS Energy to pay dividends or make distributions to CMS Energy
         and, accordingly, the ability of CMS Energy to pay dividends on either
         class of its Common Stock will depend on the earnings, financial
         requirements and contractual restrictions of the subsidiaries of CMS
         Energy, in particular Consumers, and other factors.  Consumers'
         ability to pay dividends is restricted by Michigan law, its First
         Mortgage Bond Indenture and its Articles of Incorporation.  See
         "Primary Source of Dividends for the Common Stock of CMS Energy;
         Restrictions on Source of Dividends" for information concerning these
         restrictions.  Under the most restrictive of these conditions, at
         December 31, 1994, $___ million of Consumers' retained earnings were
         available to pay cash dividends on its Common Stock.  Consumers paid
         dividends on its common stock of $16.0 million on February 22, 1994,
         $65.6 million on May 20, 1994, $31.0 million on August 19, 1994, $36.0
         million on November 4, 1994 and $27.4 million on December 20, 1994.

                 Dividends on the Common Stock will be limited by Michigan law,
         certain agreements to which CMS Energy is a party and CMS Energy's
         Articles of Incorporation and will be payable when, as and if declared
         by the Board of Directors out of legally available assets of CMS
         Energy.  See "Dividend Policy" for information concerning certain
         contractual limitations on the payment of dividends on the Common
         Stock.  Under the most restrictive of these limitations, at September
         30, 1994 $377 million was available to pay cash dividends on the
         Common Stock of CMS Energy.





                                      -25-
<PAGE>   56

                 Net losses of CMS Energy or the businesses attributed to the
         Consumers Gas Group and distributions on either class of Common Stock
         will reduce the assets legally available for payment of dividends on
         both classes of Common Stock.  Subject to the restrictions on the
         assets out of which dividends on the Common Stock may be paid, as
         described under "Dividend Policy," and to the express terms of any
         Preferred Stock, CMS Energy would be able, in the sole discretion of
         its Board of Directors, to declare and pay dividends exclusively on
         either the Class G Common Stock or the CMS Energy Common Stock, or on
         both, in equal or unequal amounts, notwithstanding the respective
         amounts of assets available for dividends on each class, the amounts
         of prior dividends declared on each class or any other factor.  It is
         the Board of Directors' current intention that the declaration or
         payment of dividends with respect to the Class G Common Stock shall
         not be reduced, suspended or eliminated as a result of factors arising
         out of or relating to the electric utility business or the non-utility
         businesses of CMS Energy unless such factors also require, in the
         Board of Directors' sole discretion, the omission of the declaration
         or reduction in payment of dividends on both the Class G Common Stock
         and the CMS Energy Common Stock.  Payment of dividends on either class
         of Common Stock will decrease the amount of funds available under the
         limitations described above for the payment of dividends on both
         classes of Common Stock.  CMS Energy has paid cash dividends on shares
         of CMS Energy Common Stock since 1989.

                 Attribution of Proceeds Upon Issuance of Securities of CMS
         Energy.  CMS Energy intends to invest in the businesses and for
         general corporate purposes of CMS Energy.  Such net proceeds will
         initially be used to repay a portion of the debt of CMS Energy (none
         of which is attributable to the Consumers Gas Group).  In any future
         offerings of securities of CMS Energy, the Board would, in its sole
         discretion, determine the attribution of the net proceeds of such sale
         among CMS Energy and the Consumers Gas Group.  See "Description of
         Capital Stock--Retained Interest of CMS Energy in Consumers Gas Group;
         Gas Group Fraction."

                 Attribution of Proceeds of Mergers or Consolidations.  The
         Articles of Incorporation do not contain any provisions governing how
         consideration to be received by holders of Common Stock in connection
         with a merger or consolidation involving CMS Energy is to be allocated
         among holders of different classes of Common Stock.  In any such
         merger or consolidation, the percentage of the consideration to be
         allocated to holders of any class of Common Stock under the method of
         allocation chosen by the Board of Directors may be materially more or
         less than that which might have been allocated to such holders had the
         Board of Directors chosen a different method of allocation.

                 Exchange of Class G Common Stock.  CMS Energy could, in the
         sole discretion of its Board of Directors, at any time determine to
         exchange for each outstanding share of Class G Common Stock a number
         of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal
         to 115% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Class G Common Stock
         as of the date of the first public announcement by CMS Energy of such
         exchange (a "15% Premium").  In addition, CMS Energy could, in the
         sole discretion of its Board of Directors, at any time dispose of
         substantially all of the properties or assets attributed to the
         Consumers Gas Group, whereupon CMS Energy must exchange for each share
         of Class G Common Stock, shares of CMS Energy Common Stock having a
         Fair Market Value equal to 110% of the Fair Market Value of one share
         of Class G Common Stock as of the date of the first public
         announcement by CMS Energy of such disposition (a "10% Premium").
         These determinations could be made at a time when either or both the
         CMS Energy Common Stock and the Class G Common Stock may be considered
         to be overvalued or undervalued.  In addition, any such exchange at
         either the 10% Premium or the 15% Premium would preclude holders of
         both classes of Common Stock from retaining their





                                      -26-
<PAGE>   57

         investment in a security that is intended to reflect separately the
         performance of CMS Energy, on the one hand, or Consumers Gas Group, on
         the other.  See "Description of Capital Stock--Class G Common
         Stock--Exchange or Redemption" and "--CMS Energy Common
         Stock--Exchange or Redemption" below.

                 Dispositions of Consumers Gas Group Assets.  If the assets
         attributed to the Consumers Gas Group continue to represent less than
         substantially all of the properties and assets of CMS Energy, CMS
         Energy could, in the sole discretion of its Board of Directors and
         without shareholder approval, approve sales and other dispositions of
         any amount of the properties and assets of the Consumers Gas Group
         since Michigan law requires shareholder approval only for a sale or
         other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and
         assets of CMS Energy not in the "usual and regular course of its
         business."  See "Description of Capital Stock--Class G Common
         Stock--Exchange or Redemption."

                 Operational and Financial Decisions.  The Board of Directors
         could, in its sole discretion, from time to time, make operational and
         financial decisions that affect disproportionately the Consumers Gas
         Group and the various other businesses of CMS Energy and its
         subsidiaries, such as the attribution of funds to and from the
         Consumers Gas Group.  Such decisions may adversely affect the ability
         of CMS Energy to obtain funds sufficient to implement its growth
         strategies relating to its businesses attributed to the Consumers Gas
         Group.

         NO ESTABLISHED MARKET FOR CLASS G COMMON STOCK; FUTURE SALES.  The
Class G Common Stock is intended to reflect the performance of the businesses
attributed to the Consumers Gas Group.  Since there has been no public market
for the Class G Common Stock, there can be no assurance as to the degree to
which the market price of the Class G Common Stock will reflect the performance
of the businesses attributed to the Consumers Gas Group reflected in its
financial statements or the dividend policy established by the Board of
Directors.  In addition, CMS Energy cannot predict the impact on such market
price of certain terms of the Class G Common Stock, such as the ability of CMS
Energy to exchange for each share of Class G Common Stock shares of CMS Energy
Common Stock.

         Although the Class G Common Stock will be listed on the NYSE, there
can be no assurance that an active public trading market for the Class G Common
Stock will develop or be sustained after the Offering.  The initial public
offering price of the Class G Common Stock will be determined by negotiation
among CMS Energy and the Underwriters, and may not be indicative of the market
price of the Class G Common Stock after the Offering.  For a discussion of the
factors considered in determining the initial public offering price of the
Class G Common Stock, see "Underwriters -- Pricing of the Offering."

         No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future
issuances or sales of shares of Class G Common Stock, or the availability of
such shares for sale, will have on the market price of the Class G Common Stock
prevailing from time to time.  Nevertheless, issuances or sales of substantial
amounts of Class G Common Stock, or the perception that such issuances or sales
could occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices of the Class G
Common Stock.  Any such issuances of additional shares of Class G Common Stock
may be authorized by the Board from the unauthorized but unissued shares of
Class G Common Stock without shareholder approval.  In connection with the
Offering, CMS Energy will agree that, without the prior written consent of the
Representatives, it will not offer, sell or contract to sell or otherwise
dispose of any shares of (a) Class G Common Stock or any securities (other than
CMS Energy Common Stock) convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Class G Common Stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus
or (b) CMS Energy Common Stock or any securities convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for CMS Common Stock for a period of 90 days after
the date





                                      -27-
<PAGE>   58

of this Prospectus, provided that CMS Energy may, during such periods, issue
shares of Common Stock under its Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Cash
Payment Plan, Performance Incentive Stock Plan, Employee Stock Ownership Plan
and Employee Savings and Incentive Plan.  See "Underwriters."

         LIMITED ADDITIONAL SHAREHOLDERS RIGHTS.  Holders of Class G Common
Stock will have only the rights of common shareholders of CMS Energy, and will
not be provided any rights specifically related to the Consumers Gas Group,
other than (i) the dividend provisions described under "Description of Capital
Stock--Class G Common Stock--Dividends," (ii) the redemption and exchange
provisions described under "Description of Capital Stock--Class G Common
Stock--Exchange or Redemption" and (iii) certain limited class voting rights
provided under Michigan law.  See "Description of Capital Stock--Class G Common
Stock--Voting Rights."

         LIMITED SEPARATE SHAREHOLDER VOTING RIGHTS; EFFECTS ON VOTING POWER.
Subject to certain limited exceptions, holders of shares of Class G Common
Stock and holders of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock would vote together as a
single class on all matters as to which common shareholders generally are
entitled to vote.  Holders of each class of Common Stock will have no rights to
vote on matters as a separate class (except in certain limited circumstances as
described below under "Description of Capital Stock--Class G Common
Stock--Voting Rights").  In the absence of a separate class vote, separate
meetings for the holders of each class of Common Stock will not be held.

         Each issued and outstanding share of Class G Common Stock and each
issued and outstanding share of CMS Energy Common Stock will be entitled to one
vote on each matter on which the holders of Common Stock are entitled to vote.
However, certain matters as to which the holders of Common Stock could be
entitled to vote together as a single class could involve a divergence or the
appearance of a divergence of the interests of the holders of Class G Common
Stock and holders of CMS Energy Common Stock.  When a vote is taken on any
matter as to which all Common Stock is voting together as one class, the class
of Common Stock that is entitled to more than the number of votes required to
approve such matter would be in a position to control the outcome of the vote
on such matter.  Upon the completion of the Offering, shares of outstanding CMS
Energy Common Stock will be entitled to a substantial majority of the total
votes to which the then outstanding Common Stock is entitled.  See "Description
of Capital Stock--Class G Common Stock--Voting Rights" and "--CMS Energy Common
Stock--Voting Rights" below.

         LIMITED APPROVAL RIGHTS OF FUTURE ISSUANCES OF STOCK; DILUTION.  The
Articles of Incorporation provide authorization for the issuance of up to 60
million shares of Class G Common Stock.  Authorized but unissued shares of
Class G Common Stock and CMS Energy Common Stock would be available for
issuance from time to time by CMS Energy at the sole discretion of the Board of
Directors for any proper corporate purpose, which could include obtaining
capital, providing compensation or benefits to employees, paying stock
dividends or acquiring companies or businesses.  The approval of the holders of
Class G Common Stock would not be solicited by CMS Energy for the issuance from
the authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock of any additional shares of
Class G Common Stock or CMS Energy Common Stock (unless such approval is deemed
advisable by the Board of Directors or is required by stock exchange
regulations).

         Any issuance of shares of Class G Common Stock or CMS Energy Common
Stock would dilute the relative voting power of shareholders of shares of Class
G Common Stock outstanding prior to such issuance.





                                      -28-
<PAGE>   59

OTHER FACTORS

         ATTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO THE CONSUMERS GAS GROUP OR TO CMS ENERGY.
After the completion of the Offering, any securities issued by CMS Energy and
its subsidiaries would be specifically attributed to and reflected in the
financial statements of the Consumers Gas Group to the extent that the Board of
Directors determines that such securities are issued for the benefit of the
Consumers Gas Group.  Any cash of CMS Energy attributed to the Consumers Gas
Group would be accounted for as short-term loans unless the Board of Directors
made a specific determination that a given attribution (or type of attribution)
should be accounted for as a long-term loan or an attribution of cash of CMS
Energy to the Consumers Gas Group as an equity contribution, which would
increase the Retained Interest Shares, or cash of CMS Energy ceasing to be
attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, which would decrease the Retained
Interest Shares.  There are no specific criteria to determine when a cash
attribution would be classified as a long-term loan or as an equity
contribution which would change the number of Retained Interest Shares, rather
than a short-term loan.  Such determination would be made by the Board of
Directors in the exercise of its business judgment at the time of such
attribution (or the first of such type of attribution) based upon all relevant
circumstances, including the financing needs and objectives of the business
attributed to Consumers Gas Group, the investment objectives of the
attribution, the availability, cost and time associated with alternative
financing sources, prevailing interest rates and general economic conditions.
Such determination would affect the amount of interest expense and interest
income reflected in the financial statements of the Consumers Gas Group if such
attribution was made as a short-term loan or long-term loan or as equity, the
amount of stockholders' equity of CMS Energy attributable to the Consumers Gas
Group and the Retained Interest of CMS Energy.  See "Certain Management and
Accounting Policies -- Accounting Matters" below.

         LIMITATIONS ON POTENTIAL UNSOLICITED ACQUISITIONS OF THE CONSUMERS GAS
GROUP.  If the Consumers Gas Group were a stand-alone corporation, any person
interested in acquiring such corporation without negotiation with management
could seek control of the outstanding Class G Common Stock by means of a tender
offer or proxy contest.  Although the Class G Common Stock is intended to
reflect the performance of the Consumers Gas Group, a person interested in
acquiring only the Consumers Gas Group without negotiation with CMS Energy's
management will still be required to seek control of the voting power
represented by all of the outstanding capital stock of CMS Energy entitled to
vote on such acquisition, including the CMS Energy Common Stock.  See "Limited
Separate Shareholder Voting Rights; Effects on Voting Power" above.

         RETAINED INTEREST OF CMS ENERGY IN THE CONSUMERS GAS GROUP; GAS GROUP
FRACTION.  Prior to the sale or distribution of Class G Common Stock, the
Retained Interest of CMS Energy in the Consumers Gas Group would represent 100%
of the CMS Energy common stockholders' equity attributed to the Consumers Gas
Group.  The number of shares of Class G Common Stock to be issued and sold in
the Offering will represent approximately ___% (assuming the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is not exercised) of the CMS Energy common stockholders'
equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group.  The shares of Class G Common
Stock to be sold in such Offering will be allocated to the Retained Interest of
CMS Energy in the Consumers Gas Group, and result in the reduction of the
Retained Interest Shares and the Retained Interest Fraction.  However, (i) any
repurchase of outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock, whether or not for
the account of CMS Energy, would increase the Retained Interest Fraction and
would reduce the Gas Group Fraction accordingly and (ii) any attribution of net
assets (whether contributed or deemed to be contributed by a regulatory agency)
to the Consumers Gas Group would increase the Retained Interest Shares and
thereby increase the Retained Interest Fraction and reduce the Gas Group
Fraction accordingly.  See "Class G Common Stock Retained Interest
Illustrations" attached as Appendix II hereto.





                                      -29-
<PAGE>   60

         MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.  The Board of
Directors has adopted certain management and accounting policies and agreements
described herein with respect to dividends, the allocation of corporate
expenses, assets and liabilities (including contingent liabilities) and
inter-company transactions, any and all of which could be modified or rescinded
in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors without approval of the
shareholders, although the Board of Directors has no present intention to do
so.  See "Dividend Policies" and "Certain Management and Accounting
Policies--Management Policies" and "--Accounting Matters."

         The Board of Directors may also adopt additional policies depending
upon the circumstances.  Any determination of the Board of Directors to modify
or rescind such policies, or to adopt additional policies, including any such
decision that would have disparate impacts upon holders of Class G Common Stock
and holders of CMS Energy Common Stock, would be made by the Board of Directors
in good faith and in the honest belief that such decision is in the best
interests of CMS Energy.  Any such determination would be made in light of the
requirements imposed by the MPSC that any transactions between Consumers and
its affiliates, including CMS Energy, must be on terms comparable to
arm's-length transactions.  In addition, generally accepted accounting
principles require that certain changes in accounting policy be preferable (in
accordance with such principles) to the policy previously established.


                                USE OF PROCEEDS

         The estimated net proceeds to CMS Energy from the Offering, after
deduction of Underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses,
will be $___________ million ($_________ million if the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full).  All of the net proceeds will be
invested in the businesses and used for the general corporate purposes of CMS
Energy.  Initially, such proceeds will be used to repay a portion of the debt
of CMS Energy (none of which is attributable to the Consumers Gas Group)
currently outstanding at rates of interest ranging from __% to __% and maturing
from ___ to ___.


                                 CAPITALIZATION

         The following table sets forth as of September 30, 1994 (i) the
capitalization of the Consumers Gas Group, (ii) the consolidated capitalization
of CMS Energy and (iii) the consolidated capitalization of CMS Energy, as
adjusted to give effect to the Offering at an assumed initial public offering
price of $____ per share and the application of the net proceeds therefrom to
repay a portion of the debt of CMS Energy (none of which is attributable to the
Consumers Gas Group).  The net proceeds of the Offering will be reflected
entirely in the financial statements of CMS Energy and will not have a pro
forma effect on the historic capitalization of the Consumers Gas Group.  For
information concerning attribution of debt and equity to the Consumers Gas
Group, see "Consumers Gas Group -- Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial
Statements."





                                      -30-
<PAGE>   61

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        September 30, 1994                          
                                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Consumers Gas Group                                 CMS Energy 
Consolidated                                       -------------------                                 ----------
- -------------
                                                   Actual                       Actual                  As Adjusted
                                                   ------                       ------                  -----------
                                                                       (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                               <C>                          <C>                     <C>
Short-term debt (including current
  portion of long-term debt,
  capital leases and notes
  payable).........................
Long-term debt.....................
Stockholders' equity:
    Preferred Stock of
    Subsidiary.....................
    Common stockholders' equity(a).
       Total stockholders' equity..
Total capitalization...............
</TABLE>
______________
(a)   If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full,
      short-term debt, as adjusted, would be $____ million and common
      stockholders' equity for CMS Energy, as adjusted, would be $____ million.


                                DIVIDEND POLICY

      CMS Energy is a legal entity separate and distinct from its various
subsidiaries.  As a holding company with no significant operations of its own,
the principal sources of its funds are dividends or other distributions from
its operating subsidiaries, in particular, Consumers, borrowings and sales of
equity.  The ability of Consumers and other subsidiaries of CMS Energy to pay
dividends or make distributions to CMS Energy, and, accordingly, the ability to
CMS Energy to pay dividends on its Common Stock will depend on the earnings,
financial requirements and contractual restrictions of the subsidiaries of CMS
Energy, in particular, Consumers, and other factors.  See "Primary Source of
Dividends for the Common Stock of CMS Energy; Restrictions on Source of
Dividends" below.

      Dividends on each class of Common Stock are limited by Michigan law to
legally available assets of CMS Energy, which are determined on the basis of
the entire company.  Distributions on each class of Common Stock may be subject
to the rights of the holders, if any, of the Preferred Stock of CMS Energy.
Net losses of CMS Energy or the Consumers Gas Group and distributions on either
class of Common Stock will reduce the assets of CMS Energy legally available
for payment of dividends on each class of Common Stock.  Under the Articles of
Incorporation, any net losses of CMS Energy and distributions on CMS Energy
Common Stock will not reduce the assets available for declaration and payment
of dividends on the Class G Common Stock unless the legally available assets of
CMS Energy are less than the Available Class G Dividend Amount.

      On November 4, 1994 CMS Energy paid a quarterly dividend of $.21 per
share (an annual rate of $.84 per share) on the CMS Energy Common Stock.  The
Board of Directors currently plans for CMS Energy to continue to pay dividends
on the CMS Energy Common Stock at that rate.  Future dividends, however, are
dependent on the earnings and financial condition of CMS Energy as well as
other factors.

      Dividends on the Class G Common Stock are limited by the Articles of
Incorporation and will be payable when, as and if declared by the Board out of
the lesser of (i) the assets of CMS





                                      -31-
<PAGE>   62

Energy legally available therefor and (ii) the Available Class G Dividend
Amount.  Assuming the Offering had been completed at September 30, 1994, the
Available Class G Dividend Amount as of such date would have been approximately
$65 million, assuming a Gas Group Fraction of 20% (or approximately $____
million, assuming a Gas Group Fraction of ___%, assuming that the Underwriters'
overallotment option is exercised in full).  Dividends on the Class G Common
Stock will be paid at the discretion of the Board of Directors based primarily
upon the earnings and financial condition of the Consumers Gas Group, and, to a
lesser extent, CMS Energy as a whole.  Subject to the restrictions described
below, if the earnings and financial condition of the Consumers Gas Group
permit, dividends with respect to the Class G Common Stock are expected to be
paid commensurate with dividend practices of comparable publicly-held local
natural gas distribution companies generally.  Management believes that such
practices currently are to pay out from 70% to 85% of annual earnings available
for common stock.  Consistent with this policy, if ___ million shares of Class
G Common Stock representing 100% of the equity attributed to the Consumers Gas
Group had been outstanding during all of 1994, CMS Energy would have paid a
dividend at an annual rate ranging from $____ per share to $____ per share on
the Class G Common Stock.  While the Board of Directors does not currently
intend to change this dividend policy, it reserves the right to do so at any
time and from time to time.  Under the Articles of Incorporation and Michigan
law, the Board of Directors is not required to declare, and CMS Energy is not
required to pay, dividends in accordance with the foregoing dividend policy.

      In making its dividend decisions with respect to the Class G Common
Stock, the Board of Directors will rely on the financial statements of the
Consumers Gas Group, as well as, to a lesser extent, the consolidated financial
statements of CMS Energy.  The method of calculating earnings per share for the
Class G Common Stock will reflect the intent of the Board of Directors that the
separately reported assets and earnings of the Consumers Gas Group be the basis
for determining dividends to be paid on the Class G Common Stock, although
liquidation rights of the Class G Common Stock and legally available assets of
CMS Energy will be based on different factors.

      Subject to the restrictions on the assets out of which dividends on the
Common Stock may be paid, as described below and under "Description of Capital
Stock--Class G Common Stock" and "--CMS Energy Common Stock," CMS Energy, in
the sole discretion of its Board of Directors, would be able to pay dividends
exclusively on either the Class G Common Stock or the CMS Energy Common Stock,
or on both, in equal or unequal amounts, notwithstanding the respective amounts
of assets or earnings available for dividends on each class, the amounts of
prior dividends declared on each class or any other factor.  It is the Board of
Directors' current intention that the declaration or payment of dividends with
respect to the Class G Common Stock will not be reduced suspended or eliminated
as a result of factors arising out of or relating to the electric utility
business or the non-utility businesses of CMS Energy unless such factors also
require, in the Board of Directors' sole discretion, the omission of the
declaration or reduction in payment of dividends on both the CMS Energy Common
Stock and the Class G Common Stock.  CMS Energy has paid cash dividends on
shares of CMS Energy Common Stock since 1989.

      There are restrictions on CMS Energy's ability to pay dividends contained
in its Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 1994 (the "Credit Facility") with
Citibank, N.A. and Union Bank as co-agents and certain banks named therein, CMS
Energy's Indenture dated as of September 15, 1992, as supplemented (the
"Indenture"), to NBD Bank, N.A., as Trustee, and CMS Energy's Indenture dated
as of January 15, 1994 (the "GTN Indenture") to The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.,
as Trustee.

      The Credit Facility provides that CMS Energy will not, and will not
permit certain of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to (i) declare or
pay any dividend or distribution on the capital stock of CMS Energy, or (ii)
purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any such capital stock
(a "Restricted Payment"), unless:  (1) no event of default under the Credit
Facility, or





                                      -32-
<PAGE>   63

event that with the lapse of time or giving of notice would constitute such an
event of default, has occurred and is continuing, and (2) after giving effect
to any such Restricted Payment, the aggregate amount of all such Restricted
Payments since September 30, 1993 shall not have exceeded the sum of:  (a)
$120,000,000, (b) 100% of CMS Energy's consolidated net income (as defined in
the Indenture) since September 30, 1993 to the end of the most recent fiscal
quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such Restricted Payment
(or, in case such sum shall be a deficit, minus 100% of the deficit), and (c)
any net proceeds (as defined in the Indenture) received by CMS Energy for the
issuance or sale of its capital stock subsequent to September 30, 1993.  At
September 30, 1994, CMS Energy could pay cash dividends of $377 million
pursuant to this restriction.

      The Indenture provides that CMS Energy will not, and will not permit
certain of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to make a Restricted
Payment, unless:  (1) no event of default under the Indenture, or event that
with the lapse of time or giving of notice would constitute such an event of
default, has occurred and is continuing, and (2) after giving effect to any
such Restricted Payment, the aggregate amount of all such Restricted Payments
since September 30, 1992 shall not have exceeded the sum of:  (a) $40,000,000,
(b) 100% of CMS Energy's consolidated net income (as defined in the Indenture)
since September 30, 1992 to end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at
least 45 days prior to the date of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such
sum shall be a deficit, minus 100% of the deficit), and (c) any net proceeds
(as defined in the Indenture) received by CMS Energy for the issuance or sale
of its capital stock subsequent to September 15, 1992.  At September 30, 1994,
CMS Energy could pay cash dividends of $382 million pursuant to this
restriction.

      The GTN Indenture provides that, so long as any of the General Term
Notes, Series A ("GTNs") issued thereunder are outstanding and are rated below
BBB- by Standard & Poor's or by Duff & Phelps, CMS Energy will not, and will
not permit certain of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to make any
Restricted Payments, if at any time CMS Energy or such subsidiary makes such
Restricted Payment:  (1) an Event of Default (as defined in the GTN Indenture),
or an event that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would
constitute such an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing (or would
result therefrom), or (2) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and
all other Restricted Payments made since September 30, 1993, would exceed the
sum of:  (a) $120,000,000 plus 100% of consolidated net income from September
30, 1993 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days
prior to the date of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such sum shall be a
deficit, minus 100% of the deficit) and (b) the aggregate net proceeds received
by CMS Energy from the issue or sale of or contribution with respect to its
capital stock after September 30, 1993.  At September 30, 1994, CMS Energy
could pay cash dividends of $377 million pursuant to this restriction.

      The foregoing provisions do not prohibit:  (i) dividends or other
distributions paid by CMS Energy in respect of the capital stock issued in
connection with the acquisition of any business or assets by CMS Energy where
such payments are payable solely from the net earnings of such business or
assets; (ii) any purchase or redemption of capital stock made by exchange for,
or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, capital stock;
(iii) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at
such date of declaration such dividends would have complied with the
aforementioned limitations; or (iv) payments pursuant to the tax sharing
agreement among CMS Energy and its subsidiaries.





                                      -33-
<PAGE>   64

      In addition, Michigan law prohibits payment of a dividend if, after
giving it effect, CMS Energy would not be able to pay its debts as they become
due in the usual course of business, or its total assets would be less than the
sum of its total liabilities plus, unless the articles permit otherwise, the
amount that would be needed, if CMS Energy were to be dissolved at the time of
the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of
shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the
distribution.  CMS Energy's net assets available for payment of dividends under
the Michigan Business Corporation Act at September 30, 1994 were $392 million.


                PRIMARY SOURCE OF DIVIDENDS FOR THE COMMON STOCK
              OF CMS ENERGY; RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF DIVIDENDS

      The ability of CMS Energy to pay dividends on its Class G Common Stock
and CMS Energy Common Stock depends and will depend substantially upon timely
receipt of sufficient dividends or other distributions from its subsidiaries,
in particular Consumers.  Consumers' ability to pay dividends on its Common
Stock depends on its revenues, earnings and other factors.  As a regulated
entity, Consumers' rates are set by the MPSC.

      Consumers' ability to pay dividends is restricted by its Mortgage
Indenture and its Articles.  The Mortgage Indenture provides that Consumers can
only pay dividends on its common stock out of retained earnings accumulated
subsequent to September 30, 1945, provided that upon such payment, there shall
remain of such retained earnings an amount equivalent to any deficiency in
maintenance and replacement expenditures as compared with maintenance and
replacement requirements since December 31, 1945.  Because of restrictions in
its Articles and Mortgage Indenture, Consumers was prohibited from paying
dividends on its common stock from June 1991 to December 31, 1992.  However, as
of December 31, 1992, Consumers effected a quasi-reorganization in which
Consumers' accumulated deficit of $574 million was eliminated against other
paid-in capital.  With the accumulated deficit eliminated, Consumers satisfied
the requirements under its Mortgage Indenture and resumed paying dividends on
its common stock in May 1993.

      Consumers' Articles also provide two restrictions on its payment of
dividends on its common stock.  First, prior to the payment of any common stock
dividend, Consumers must reserve retained earnings after giving effect to such
dividend payment of at least (i) $7.50 per share on all then outstanding shares
of its Preferred Stock, (ii) in respect to its Class A Preferred Stock, 7.5% of
the aggregate amount established by its Board of Directors to be payable on the
shares of each series thereof in the event of involuntary liquidation of
Consumers, and (iii) $7.50 per share on all then outstanding shares of all
other stock over which its Preferred Stock and Class A Preferred Stock do not
have preference as to the payment of dividends and as to assets.  Second,
dividend payments during the 12-month period ending with the month the proposed
payment is to be paid are limited to:  (i) 50% of net income available for the
payment of dividends during the base period (hereinafter defined) if the ratio
of common stock and surplus to total capitalization and surplus for 12
consecutive calendar months within the 14 calendar months immediately preceding
the proposed dividend payment (the "base period"), adjusted to reflect the
proposed dividend, is less than 20%; and (ii) 75% of net income available for
the payment of dividends during the base period if the ratio of common stock
and surplus to total capitalization and surplus for the base period, adjusted
to reflect the proposed dividend, is at least 20% but less than 25%.

      Consumers' Articles also prohibit the payment of cash dividends on its
common stock if Consumers is in arrears on preferred stock dividend payments.





                                      -34-
<PAGE>   65

      In addition, Michigan law prohibits payment of a dividend if, after
giving it effect, Consumers would not be able to pay its debts as they become
due in the usual course of business, or its total assets would be less than the
sum of its total liabilities plus, unless the articles permit otherwise, the
amount that would be needed, if Consumers were to be dissolved at the time of
the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of
shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the
distribution.  Consumers' net assets available for payment of dividends under
the Michigan Business Corporation Act at September 30, 1994 were $1,442
million.

      Under the most restrictive of these conditions, at December 31, 1994,
$___ million of Consumers' retained earnings were available to pay cash
dividends on its common stock.  Currently it is Consumers' policy to pay annual
dividends equal to 80% of its annual consolidated net income.  Consumers Board
of Directors reserves the right to change this policy at any time.

      Consumers paid dividends on its Common Stock of $16.0 million on February
22, 1994, $65.6 million on May 20, 1994, $31.0 million on August 19, 1994,
$36.0 million on November 4, 1994, and $27.4 million on December 20, 1994.


                   CERTAIN MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

      The following have been selected to be the senior management team for the
Consumers Gas Group:

      PAUL A. ELBERT, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER,
CONSUMERS GAS GROUP.  Since July 1991, Mr. Elbert has been the senior vice
president for energy distribution for Consumers.  From 1988 to June 1991 he was
vice president for marketing, rates and wholesale power transactions.

      PAUL N. PREKETES, VICE PRESIDENT--GAS OPERATIONS, CONSUMERS GAS GROUP.
Mr. Preketes became Region General Manager of Consumers' Metro Region in 1991.
In that capacity he oversaw natural gas operations for more than 750,000
customers in parts of Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, Livingston and Washtenaw counties
in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

      JOHN E. MANCZAK, VICE PRESIDENT--GAS MARKETING AND PRICING, CONSUMERS GAS
GROUP.  Mr. Manczak assumed his current position with the Consumers Gas Group
in November 1994.  Prior to joining the Consumers Gas Group, Mr. Manczak was
the President of Michigan Gas Utilities division of UtiliCorp United.

      EDGAR L. DOSS, EXECUTIVE MANAGER--GAS SUPPLY & TRANSMISSION, CONSUMERS
GAS GROUP.  Since July 1991, Mr. Doss has been the General Manager of the
Northwestern region of Consumers, which served the western and northern lower
Peninsula of Michigan consisting of 550,000 electric utility customers and
30,000 natural gas utility customers.  Prior to such time, Mr. Doss served as
the General Manager for the Detroit Metro region.

      JEFFREY R. HINKLE, DIRECTOR--GAS BUSINESS SUPPORT, CONSUMERS GAS GROUP.
Mr. Hinkle has been Consumers' Director of Marketing Services since October
1990 and served in Consumers' marketing department since 1990.  Prior to that
time he held positions in Management and Budget and Corporation Performance
Analysis.





                                      -35-
<PAGE>   66

CERTAIN MANAGEMENT POLICIES

      CMS Energy has adopted formally certain policies with respect to the
Consumers Gas Group.  Such policies include, without limitation, its intention
to:  (i) attribute assets, liabilities and expenses between the Consumers Gas
Group and CMS Energy only on an arm's-length basis and (ii) attribute proceeds
generated by sale of shares of Class G Common Stock (other than Retained
Interest Shares) and securities convertible into Class G Common Stock as assets
attributable to the Consumers Gas Group, and apply such proceeds to acquire
assets or reduce liabilities attributable to the Consumers Gas Group.  These
policies could be modified or rescinded by action of the Board of Directors, or
the Board of Directors could adopt additional policies, without approval of the
shareholders.

ACCOUNTING MATTERS

      CMS Energy will prepare Consumers Gas Group financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  The consolidated
financial statements of CMS Energy will reflect all of its assets, liabilities
and transactions, including those attributable to the Consumers Gas Group.  The
financial statements of the Consumers Gas Group will reflect the financial
position, results of operations and cash flows of the businesses attributable
to the Consumers Gas Group, including the effects of dividends and other
distributions on the Class G Common Stock.  Consistent with the Articles of
Incorporation and related policies, such financial statements will also include
portions of certain corporate assets and liabilities (including contingent
liabilities) attributed to the Consumers Gas Group.  Principal corporate
activities which will be attributed to the Consumers Gas Group and which will
be reflected in such financial statements include financial activities,
allocation of corporate general and administrative costs, common stock
transactions and income taxes.

      Consumers is a regulated utility.  Accordingly, the majority of the
accounting allocation policies have a long-standing basis and have historically
been used in proceedings conducted before the MPSC.  The financial statements
for the Consumers Gas Group have been prepared based upon consistent methods
that management believes are reasonable and appropriate to reflect the
financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the businesses
attributed to the Consumer Gas Group.  Where appropriate, the financial
statements reflect the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses directly
related to the Consumers Gas Group.  However, in instances where common
accounts (containing both electric and gas activities) were not readily
attributable to a single business segment, management attributed portions of
such accounts to the Consumers Gas Group's financial statements based on
certain measures of business activities, such as gas revenues, salaries,
operating and maintenance expenditures, number of gas customers in relationship
to total utility customers and/or functional use surveys.  Management believes
that the attributions are reasonable.

      Notwithstanding the attribution of corporate assets and liabilities to
the Consumers Gas Group for the purpose of preparing financial statements, the
completion of the Offering contemplated hereby will not result in any transfer
of assets or liabilities of CMS Energy.  CMS Energy will continue to be
responsible for all of its liabilities (including contingent liabilities) and
will continue to prepare consolidated financial statements.

      Cash management and allocation of principal corporate activities are
based upon methods that management of CMS Energy believes to be reasonable and
are reflected in CMS Energy's consolidated financial statements, as follows:

           (i)  Financings by Consumers, whether through the issuance of First
      Mortgage Bonds or Preferred Stock of Consumers or otherwise will be
      allocated based upon the





                                      -36-
<PAGE>   67

      relative book values at the time of such financings of the assets
      comprising the businesses attributable to the Consumers Gas Group and the
      businesses not so attributed.  The proportionate amount of obligations
      and net proceeds resulting from such financing will be reflected in the
      financial statements of the Consumers Gas Group.

           (ii)  After the completion of the Offering, all financial impacts of
      issuances of additional shares of Class G Common Stock, from the Retained
      Interest, will be reflected entirely in the financial statements of CMS
      Energy and not the Consumers Gas Group.  All financial impacts of
      issuance of authorized but unissued shares of Class G Common Stock other
      than the Retained Interest Shares (the "Additional Shares"), which will
      be attributed to Consumers Gas Group, will be reflected in the financial
      statements of the Consumers Gas Group.  Financial impacts of dividends or
      other distributions on, and purchases of, shares of the Class G Common
      Stock and CMS Energy Common Stock will be reflected in the financial
      statements of the Consumers Gas Group and CMS Energy, respectively,
      except that, if a Retained Interest exists at such a time, an amount that
      bears the same relation to the aggregate amount of such dividend or other
      distribution on outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock as the
      Retained Interest Shares bears to the number of shares of Class G Common
      Stock then outstanding will be reflected in the Consumers Gas Group
      financial statements.

           (iii)  If funds were to be allocated between the Consumers Gas Group
      and CMS Energy, such allocations of funds will generally be accounted for
      as short-term loans at an interest rate comparable to the rate that CMS
      Energy could obtain in an arm's length transaction or as an equity
      contribution to, or return of capital by, the Consumers Gas Group.  In
      such latter event, the Retained Interest in the Consumers Gas Group would
      be increased or decreased, as applicable, by the amount of such
      contribution or return of capital, as a result of which (a) the Retained
      Interest Shares would be increased or decreased by an amount equal to the
      amount of such contribution or return of capital divided by the Fair
      Market Value of a share of Class G Common Stock on the date of
      contribution or return of capital and (b) the Retained Interest would be
      increased or decreased and the Gas Group Fraction would be decreased or
      increased accordingly.  CMS Energy could determine, in the sole
      discretion of its Board of Directors, to make such contribution or return
      of capital after consideration of a number of factors, including, among
      others, the relative levels of internally generated cash flows of each of
      its businesses, the long-term business prospects for each of its
      businesses, the capital expenditure plans of and the investment
      opportunities available to each of its businesses, and the availability,
      cost and time associated with alternative financing sources.

           (iv)  The balance sheet of the Consumers Gas Group will reflect any
      net short-term loans to or borrowings from CMS Energy.  Accordingly, the
      income statement of the Consumers Gas Group will reflect interest income
      or expense, as the case may be, associated with such loans or borrowings
      and the statement of cash flow of the Consumers Gas Group will reflect
      changes in the amounts thereof deemed outstanding.  The financial
      statements of CMS Energy would not be affected by such items because such
      items would be eliminated in consolidation.

           (v)  The Consumers Gas Group financial statements will reflect the
      allocation, in the sole discretion of CMS Energy, of certain management,
      financial reporting, legal, human resources, treasury, investor relations
      and administrative services expenses incurred by CMS Energy in connection
      with the business of the Consumers Gas Group.

           (vi)  An amount equal to the amount of income taxes that would be
      payable or income tax credits that would be receivable by the Consumers
      Gas Group on a





                                      -37-
<PAGE>   68

      "stand-alone" basis, after taking into account tax deductions and credits
      attributable to the Consumers Gas Group, will be charged against or
      credited to the Consumers Gas Group financial statements.  The Consumers
      Gas Group will continue to be included in CMS Energy's consolidated
      income tax returns after the Offering.

      The above policies and agreements could be modified or rescinded, in the
sole discretion of the Board of Directors, without approval of shareholders,
although there is no present intention to do so.  The Board of Directors could
also adopt additional policies depending upon the circumstances.  Any
determination of the Board of Directors to modify or rescind such policies, to
adopt additional policies, including any such decision that could have
disparate effects upon holders of each class of common stock of CMS Energy,
would be made by the Board of Directors in accordance with its fiduciary duties
to CMS Energy.  Any such determination would also be made in light of the
requirements imposed by the MPSC that any transactions between Consumers Gas
Group and its affiliates, including CMS Energy, must be on terms comparable to
arm's-length transactions.  In addition, generally accepted accounting
principles require that certain changes in accounting policy be preferable (in
accordance with such principles) to the policy previously in place.  See Note 2
of Notes to Financial Statements regarding the method of attribution of the
assets and liabilities of CMS Energy to the Consumers Gas Group.


                      BUSINESS OF THE CONSUMERS GAS GROUP

BUSINESS

      The businesses attributed to the Consumers Gas Group consist of the Gas
Distribution Business conducted by Consumers and MGS.  Consumers or its
predecessors has operated the Gas Distribution Business since 1886.  The Gas
Distribution Business is subject to the jurisdiction of the MPSC and the FERC.
See "Regulations and Rates" below.

      The Consumers Gas Group supplies natural gas for heating and various
other energy applications through a distribution and transmission system which
consisted, at September 30, 1994, of 20,768 miles of distribution mains and
1,084 miles of transmission lines including 471 miles of lines greater than
24", 250 miles of 12" line and 103 miles of 4" line.  The all-time record
24-hour send-out of natural gas for the Consumers Gas Group (achieved on
January 19, 1994) was 3.1 million Mcf which is currently the peak-day
transportation and distribution capacity of the system.  Deliveries of gas by
the Consumers Gas Group, (including gas from other sellers), to ultimate
customers totaled 411 Bcf for the year ended December 31, 1993 and 298 Bcf for
the nine months ended September 30, 1994.  From January 1, 1990 through
September 30, 1994 deliveries of natural gas by the Consumers Gas Group have
grown at an average annual rate of 3.71%, non-weather adjusted, and 1.3%,
weather adjusted.  The weather-adjusted growth is primarily attributable to an
increase in the number of customers served.

      The Consumers Gas Group serves customers located in 45 of the 68 counties
in Michigan's Lower Peninsula including some of the largest metropolitan areas
in the State of Michigan, such as the suburbs of Detroit, including Warren
(population approximately 145,000), Sterling Heights (population approximately
118,000) and Livonia (population approximately 101,000), as well as Flint
(population approximately 141,000), Lansing (population approximately 127,000)
and Kalamazoo (population approximately 80,000).  The Consumers Gas Group plans
to install additional gas mains to gain access to customers in the suburbs of
Detroit and Flint, Michigan.  See "Growth Strategies" below.





                                      -38-
<PAGE>   69

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

      The Consumers Gas Group is well-positioned to capitalize on the
opportunities and meet the challenges of the deregulated gas market.  The
Consumer Gas Group's principal competitive advantages include:

      -    Consistent growth.  The Consumers Gas Group's gas sales for the nine
           months ended September 30, 1994 and for the year ended December 31,
           1993 were 173 Bcf and 244 Bcf, respectively, with a total throughput
           of 225 Bcf and 315 Bcf for those periods (excluding sales to MCV
           Partnership).  This represents an average annual growth rate since
           1990 of approximately 3.3% (1.3% weather-adjusted).  The
           weather-adjusted growth is primarily attributable to an increase in
           the number of customers served.  Since 1990, the Consumers Gas Group
           has experienced an average annual customer growth rate of 1.5%
           (approximately 20,000 customers) per year.  See "Business of the
           Consumers Gas Group -- Customers."

      -    Diversity and stability of customers served.  The Consumers Gas
           Group's sales are derived from a diversity of customers with no
           substantial dependence on a particular customer.  The Consumers Gas
           Group's approximately 1.4 million customers include approximately
           1.3 million residential customers, 94,000 commercial customers and
           8,000 industrial customers.  In 1994, residential customers, the
           primary component of the Consumers Gas Group's load, represented
           slightly more than half of throughput, while the industrial and
           commercial classes each represented about one-fourth.  For the nine
           months ended September 30, 1994, approximately 67.7% of the
           Consumers Gas Group's revenues were derived from this relatively
           stable residential customer base.  The customer base of the
           Consumers Gas Group also includes several of the largest
           manufacturing businesses in the United States, such as Chrysler
           Corporation, Dow Chemical Company, Ford Motor Company, General
           Motors Corporation and Upjohn Company.

      -    Low cost natural gas provider.  At September 30, 1994, the Consumers
           Gas Group's residential customers enjoyed the lowest rates charged
           by any Michigan natural gas utility and rates which are believed to
           be consistently among the lowest 10% of all U.S. local natural gas
           distribution companies.  As of September 30, 1994, the Consumers Gas
           Group's rate for residential service was $3.917/Mcf.  See "Business
           of the Consumers Gas Group -- Business."

      -    Substantial natural gas storage capacity.  The 14 gas storage fields
           operated by the Consumers Gas Group have 130.0 Bcf of working gas
           storage.  This storage capacity enabled Consumers Gas Group to
           provide approximately 45.0% of its sale requirements throughout the
           1993-1994 winter heating season (November 1 through March 31) and
           70.0% of its January 1994 peak-day requirement from storage.  These
           facilities allow the Consumers Gas Group to lower its peak-day
           entitlement from its pipeline suppliers, thereby reducing interstate
           pipeline costs. See "Business of the Consumers Gas Group --
           Storage."

      -    Strategic location near interstate pipelines.  The Consumers Gas
           Group is strategically located to receive gas deliveries from
           several interstate pipelines connected to the major producing
           regions of the United States and Canada.  ANR, Panhandle and
           Trunkline deliver gas from the U.S. Gulf Coast and the Mid-Continent
           areas.  Gas produced in Western Canada is delivered to the Consumers
           Gas Group through several pipelines that ultimately deliver gas to
           Great Lakes Gas





                                      -39-
<PAGE>   70

           Transmission Company, which is connected directly to the Consumers
           Gas Group.  See "Business of the Consumers Gas Group -- Gas Supply."

GROWTH STRATEGIES

      The Consumer Gas Group believes that if the Consumer Gas Group's
residential customer base grows at a rate of approximately 1.5% annually and
gas prices adjusted for inflation remain relatively unchanged,  its annual gas
deliveries will grow to approximately 329.0 Bcf between 1994 and 1999
representing total growth over the period of 5.5%.  In addition, the Consumers
Gas Group has identified the following strategies to further grow its
residential, commercial and industrial customer base:

      -    Increased usage by existing customers.  The Consumer Gas Group
           believes that there are opportunities to increase revenues from its
           existing customer base.  Studies conducted by the Consumers Gas
           Group show that many of its existing residential and commercial
           customers utilize non-gas furnaces, electric water heaters and wood
           burning fireplaces for space and water heating.  The Consumers Gas
           Group intends to conduct marketing programs to switch these
           customers to natural gas for these purposes.

      -    Attracting additional customers.  The Consumers Gas Group plans to
           attract additional customers by expanding within its existing
           franchises.  The Consumers Gas Group maintains franchises in eight
           of the ten most populous counties in Michigan and each of these
           counties has been growing.  Through effective planning, the
           Consumers Gas Group intends to position its system expansion to
           secure future growth in these areas.  The Consumers Gas Group
           intends to invest $37.7 million over the three-year period ending
           December 31, 1998 to construct additional gas mains.  This program
           is designed to increase gas usage in the Consumer Gas Group's
           existing service area and to enable it to successfully compete with
           other local natural gas distribution companies for new customers.
           Finally, there are still significant numbers of potential gas
           customers who have a gas main in front of their home or
           establishment and do not have installed gas service.  The conversion
           of these customers to gas service is an additional potential source
           of growth.

      -    Co-generation.  The Consumers Gas Group believes that there is a
           significant potential for development in its service area of gas
           powered cogeneration projects capable of generating from 1,000 to
           50,000 KW of electricity.  For projects of this type the Consumers
           Gas Group would have the ability to provide, in addition to gas
           supply, project engineering, equipment financing, operating and
           maintenance service and gas storage services.

      -    Industrial conversions.  Conversion of industrial processes to
           natural gas is also an area of expected sales growth for the
           Consumers Gas Group.  For example, it is expected that laws
           mandating improvements in air quality will provide opportunities for
           converting industrial boiler load to clean-burning natural gas, and
           for additional utilization of natural gas for electric generation.
           The Consumers Gas Group believes that conversion projects also
           provide opportunities for project engineering, construction
           services, equipment financing, gas storage and other services which
           it is in a position to provide competitively.

      -    New technologies.  The Consumers Gas Group also expects additional
           growth from the development and use of NGVs.  Pursuant to the Energy
           Policy Act of 1992,





                                      -40-
<PAGE>   71

           increasing percentages of the federal government's automotive fleet
           must consist of NGVs beginning in 1996; the federal government will
           be required to either convert gasoline-fueled vehicles into NGVs or
           purchase NGVs.  The Consumers Gas Group believes that other
           automotive fleets, as well as indoor equipment such as forklifts and
           sweepers, will convert to NGVs, and thereafter certain portions of
           the general population may acquire or convert their existing
           vehicles to NGVs.  The Consumers Gas Group estimates that each NGV
           represents 125 Mcf of natural gas consumption annually, equal to the
           natural gas consumption of an average single family home.

      -    Revenue diversification.  In 1994, approximately 85% of Consumers
           Gas Group's gas throughput was weather related and weather can cause
           significant fluctuations in revenue.  For example, unseasonably warm
           weather in November and December 1994, in the service area of the
           Consumers Gas Group resulted in gas sales and gas transported in the
           fourth quarter of 1994 totalling 111 Bcf, a 12% increase from the
           corresponding 1993 level.  Opportunities exist to diversify revenues
           by (i) growing off-peak load and (ii) creating and increasing new
           revenue from the sale of gas-related services and products, such as
           maintenance agreements related to gas equipment (e.g. furnaces),
           appliance repair and installation, sales of other equipment (e.g.
           carbon monoxide detectors, water heaters) and energy optimization
           services.

      In total, the Consumers Gas Group expects these and related additional
efforts to add approximately 38.0 Bcf of throughput by 1999 which is equivalent
to approximately $17.2 million of additional gross margin annually (excluding
recovery of the cost of gas supplied to customers.) However, actual levels of
growth in the business of the Consumers Gas Group will depend on general
economic conditions, the availability of gas supply, gas prices, alternate
energy prices and other factors, and there can be no assurance that the
Consumers Gas Group will achieve increased sales or earnings.

CUSTOMERS

      At September 30, 1994, the Consumer Gas Group's approximately 1.4 million
customers consisted of approximately 1.3 million residential customers, 94,000
commercial customers and 8,000 industrial customers.  Since 1990, the Consumers
Gas Group experienced an average annual customer growth rate of 1.5%
(approximately 20,000 customers per year).  The effect on gas sales from
increases in the number of customers has been tempered by a long-term decline
of natural gas consumption per customer (9.6% for residential and 14.6% for
commercial customers since 1983), mainly due to the increased energy efficiency
of gas appliances and equipment, as well as improved usage of insulation and
other energy conservation improvements.

      The customer base of the Consumers Gas Group includes several of the
largest manufacturers in the United States, such as Chrysler Corporation, Dow
Chemical Corporation, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation and Upjohn
Company.  In 1993, approximately 70% of the Gas Distribution Business'
revenues, and about 50% of its throughput, were derived from its relatively
stable residential customer base.  Accordingly, the Consumer Gas Group's
operations are  not dependent upon a single customer, or a few customers, the
loss of any one or more of which would have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition of the Consumers Gas Group.

      The following tables set forth the revenues of, and volumes sold, stored
or transported by, the Consumers Gas Group for the periods indicated:





                                      -41-
<PAGE>   72


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Nine Months                 Years Ended
                                                   Ended September 30,              December 31,     
                                                   -------------------         -----------------------
                                                   1994           1993        1993        1992       1991
                                                   ----           ----        ----        ----       ----
                                                   (Unaudited)
                                                                                 (Dollars in Millions)
<S>                                             <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>
Gas Distribution Business
 Revenues
  Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . .         $567           $553         $ 803       $ 781         $ 742
  Commercial  . . . . . . . . . . . . .          167            158           232         226           215
  Industrial  . . . . . . . . . . . . .           41             38            55          55            58
  Transportation  . . . . . . . . . . .           46             36            51          43            25
  Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           16             24            19          21            21
                                                 ---           ----         -----       -----         -----
      Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         $837           $809        $1,160      $1,126        $1,061
                                                ====           ====        ======      ======        ======
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Nine Months                 Years Ended
                                                   Ended September 30,              December 31,     
                                                   -------------------         -----------------------
                                                   1994           1993        1993        1992       1991
                                                   ----           ----        ----        ----       ----
                                                                            (Bcf)
<S>                                             <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>
Gas Distribution Business
 Sales and Deliveries
  Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . .          123            118           175         167           157
  Commercial  . . . . . . . . . . . . .           40             37            56          54            50
  Industrial  . . . . . . . . . . . . .           10             10            14          13            15
  Transportation(a) . . . . . . . . . .          110            104           144         130           117
                                                 ---            ---           ---         ---           ---
     Total  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          283            269           389         364           339
- -----------------                                ===            ===           ===         ===           ===
</TABLE>
(a) Excludes offsystem transportation.

     A major determinant of gas usage for any period is the weather,
particularly with respect to residential and commercial customers who use
natural gas for space heating and, to a lesser extent, industrial customers.
Approximately 93% of the customers of the Consumers Gas Group are residential
customers, of which 98% use natural gas for space heating.  Accordingly, the
Consumers Gas Group's business is seasonal with approximately 74% of its
revenues generated in the first and fourth quarters of each year.  The heating
degree days for 1993 were 7,183, approximately 1.7% colder than the average
heating degree days for the 30-year period ended December 31, 1993 and the
heating degree days for the nine months ended September 30, 1994 were 4,965,
6.6% colder than the nine months ended September 30, 1993.  The average heating
degree days for the 30 years, 10 years and 5 years ended December 31, 1993 were
7,060, 6,897 and 6,896, respectively.  Generally, consumption for heating
purposes increases as heating degree days increase with a corresponding
improvement in results of operations of the Consumers Gas Group.  If during the
heating season, the weather in the Consumers Gas Group's service area is warmer
than normal, its results of operations will be adversely affected.

GAS STORAGE

     The 14 gas storage fields  operated by Consumers Gas Group (listed below)
have an aggregate certified storage capacity of approximately 359.2 Bcf, of
which approximately 130.0 Bcf is working gas:





                                      -42-
<PAGE>   73

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Total Certified
         Field Name                             Location                                    Storage Capacity
         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  (Bcf)
         <S>                            <C>                                                     <C>
         Overisel                       Allegan and Ottawa Counties                               64.0
         Salem                          Allegan and Ottawa Counties                               35.0
         Ira                            St. Clair County                                           7.5
         Lenox                          Macomb County                                              3.5
         Ray                            Macomb County                                             66.0
         Northville                     Oakland, Washtenaw and
                                          Wayne Counties                                          25.8
         Puttygut                       St. Clair County                                          16.6
         Four Corners                   St. Clair County                                           3.8
         Swan Creek                     St. Clair County                                            .6
         Hessen                         St. Clair County                                          18.0
         Lyon-34                        Oakland County                                             1.4
         Winterfield                    Osceola and Clare Counties                                75.0 
         Cranberry Lake                 Clare and Missaukee Counties                              30.0
         Riverside                      Missaukee County                                          12.0
                                                                                                 -----
                                                                       Total                     359.2
                                                                                                 =====
</TABLE>

     Eleven of these gas storage fields are owned by Consumers, and three are
currently owned by MGS.  MGS also conducts certain gas transportation
operations.  MGS intends to transfer the ownership of its three fields to
Consumers.  Such transfers will require the approval of the FERC which may take
up to 18 months to obtain.

     During the 1993-94 winter heating season (November 1 through March 31),
the maximum one-day withdrawal from the storage facilities listed above was 2.2
Bcf.  This storage and deliverability capacity enabled the Gas Distribution
Business to provide approximately 45% of its 1993-94 winter heating season
requirements from storage and 70% of its January 1994 peak-day requirement from
storage.  This practice allows the Gas Distribution Business to lower its
peak-day entitlement from its pipeline suppliers, thereby reducing interstate
pipeline costs.

GAS SUPPLY

     In 1993, the Consumers Gas Group purchased approximately 85% of its
required gas supply for the Gas Distribution Business under long-term
contracts.  Trunkline was the Consumers Gas Group's primary gas supplier
through November 1994, supplying 41% of the overall requirement in 1993.  The
Consumers Gas Group's supply contract with Trunkline expired November 1, 1994;
however, firm transportation associated with this contract continues until
November 1, 2002.  Of the remaining gas supply requirements of the Consumers
Gas Group purchased under long-term contracts in 1993, 15% were derived from
Michigan producers and 29% from various other producers and non-affiliated
marketing companies in the United States and Canada.  The remaining 15% of the
Consumers Gas Group's 1993 gas supply requirements were met by purchases on the
spot market.

     Through November 1, 1994, Trunkline was obligated to supply 325 thousand
Mcf per day to the Consumers Gas Group.  This obligation has been replaced with
three, two-year contracts and four, one-year contracts with independent
producers at fixed prices for an aggregate of 255 thousand Mcf per day.  The
Consumers Gas Group expects to obtain the balance of its gas supply
requirements in the spot market.

     The Consumers Gas Group's other firm transportation agreements are with
Trunkline, Panhandle, ANR Pipeline Company and Great Lakes Gas Transmission
Company.  These agreements are used by the Consumers





                                      -43-
<PAGE>   74

Gas Group to transport its required gas supplies to market and to replenish its
storage fields.  The other firm transportation agreement with Trunkline extends
through February 1996.  Two firm transportation agreements with Panhandle both
extend through March 2000.  The Consumers Gas Group has six firm transportation
agreements with ANR Pipeline Company.  The first and third largest of these
contracts extend through October 2003, the second largest extends through
October 1999, and the remaining three contracts extend through December 2001
and 2002.  The Consumers Gas Group's firm transportation agreement with Great
Lakes Gas Transmission Company extends through March 2004.  In total, the
Consumers Gas Group's firm transportation arrangements currently amount to
almost 90% of total gas supply requirements of the Gas Distribution Business.
The balance of the required gas supply is transported under interruptible
transportation contracts.  These contracts are with the same interstate
pipelines mentioned above.  The amount of interruptible capacity and the
utilization thereof is primarily a function of the price for such service and
the availability and price of the spot supplies to be purchased and
transported.  The Consumers Gas Group generally uses interruptible
transportation in off-peak summer months and after its firm capacity has been
fully subscribed.

     The Consumers Gas Group expects to ensure the reliability of its gas
supply through long-term supply contracts, with purchases in the short-term
spot market when economically beneficial.  Management believes that the
Consumers Gas Group's ability to purchase gas during the off-season and store
it in extensive underground storage facilities helps to reduce costs.  See "Gas
Storage" above.

GAS COMPETITION

     Competition with respect to the Gas Distribution Business comes primarily
from alternate energy sources such as electricity (including electricity
generated and sold by Consumers), propane, and to a lesser degree, oil and
wood.  Residential and commercial customers accounted for approximately 70% and
20%, respectively, of the 1993 revenues of the Consumers Gas Group.  In most of
its service territory, the Consumers Gas Group has little direct competition
with respect to its traditional utility service to residential customers.

     The Consumers Gas Group also competes in the natural gas market in its
service territory with parties (principally interstate pipeline companies)
desiring to sell or transport gas directly to the Consumers Gas Group's
industrial and commercial customers.  These competitors propose to "by-pass"
the facilities of the Consumers Gas Group by offering to transport and supply
natural gas to industrial customers which are willing to build the necessary
interconnection from the customer to the competing interstate pipeline.  The
Consumers Gas Group typically responds to this by-pass competition by offering
gas transportation and storage services to customers that elect to acquire
their gas supplies from some other supplier.  Because earnings from the Gas
Distribution Business are not substantially dependent on gas purchased and
resold to customers, but rather on the ownership and operation of the gas
distribution, storage and transportation facilities, Consumers has not suffered
any significant losses as a result of such competition, nor is it believed that
such losses are likely to be incurred by the Consumers Gas Group.

     The Consumers Gas Group competes with fuel oil suppliers in making sales
to its industrial customers.

     The Consumers Gas Group will attempt to retain, and if possible expand,
the markets in which it is most vulnerable, such as the large industrial
market, through favorable rate design, business development and related
efforts.  See "-- Growth Strategies" above.  The Consumers Gas Group continues
to (i) develop or promote new sources and uses of natural gas and/or new
services, rates and contracts; (ii) purchase gas from lowest cost suppliers
consistent with operating and long-term gas supply needs; and (iii) emphasize
and provide high quality services to its customers.

     Approximately 30% of the retail gas customers served by the Consumers Gas
Group are also served or capable of being served by electricity provided by
Consumers' electric utility business.  Thus, for some applications (including
space heating, water heating, and powering of certain industrial processes and
household appliances) the Consumers Gas Group may compete with Consumers for
such customers.  Decisions made by





                                      -44-
<PAGE>   75

the management of Consumers with regard to the services and prices charged to
such customers could have an adverse effect on the Consumers Gas Group.

REGULATION AND RATES

     The Gas Distribution Business is subject to the jurisdiction of the MPSC
which regulates public utilities in Michigan with respect to retail utility
rates, accounting, services, certain facilities and various other matters.  For
information concerning pending MPSC matters related to the Gas Distribution
Business, see "Legal Proceedings" below.  MGS is regulated by the FERC.

     As a regulated company under MPSC jurisdiction, the Consumers Gas Group
may apply to the MPSC for rate increases if increased costs or other factors
warrant.  Such rates typically go into effect following a MPSC contested case
proceeding.  The MPSC attempts to conclude such proceedings and issue a final
order within 12 months from the initial filing of the general rate case.

     In July 1994, the MPSC approved an agreement previously reached between
the MPSC staff and Consumers, to charge $10 million of costs for postretirement
benefits against 1994 earnings.  This charge against earnings will partially
offset savings related to state property taxes which were reduced.  The
agreement was reached in response to a claim that gas utility business earnings
for 1993 were excessive.  The agreement also provides for an additional $4
million of postretirement benefit costs to be charged against 1995 earnings.
As part of the agreement, Consumers filed a gas rate case in December 1994.
Consumers requested an increase in its gas rates of $21 million annually.  The
request, among other things, incorporates cost increases, including costs for
postretirement benefits and costs related to Consumers' former manufactured gas
plant sites.  Consumers requested that the MPSC authorize a 13 percent rate of
return on equity, instead of the currently authorized rate of 13.25 percent.
Consumers expects an MPSC decision in late 1995.  Consumers' most recent rate
filing for its electric utility business resulted in an authorized rate of
return on equity of 11.75%.

     In gas rate cases the MPSC determines, among other things, an appropriate
capital structure, including equity, for the Gas Distribution Business and
approves a rate of return on such equity.  Because the Gas Distribution
Business is part of Consumers, it does not have its own capital structure.
Accordingly, in the last gas rate case decided by the MPSC relating to the Gas
Distribution Business, the MPSC utilized a Proxy Capital Structure.  It is
possible that in future gas rate cases, the MPSC may use another methodology to
determine equity used for rate making purposes for the Consumers Gas Group or
otherwise select a methodology different than the Proxy Capital Structure.  The
capital structure employed for ratemaking purposes directly affects the overall
rate of return of a rate regulated enterprise.

     The FERC has jurisdiction over MGS, as a natural gas company, within the
meaning of the Natural Gas Act.  The FERC jurisdiction relates, among other
things, to the acquisition, operation and disposal of assets and facilities and
to service provided and rates charged.  In July 1993, MGS submitted a notice of
rate change with the FERC to revise its operation and maintenance expenses for
1993 and began collecting the revised rates subject to refund and a hearing in
February 1994.  In June 1994, the FERC approved a stipulation and agreement in
full settlement of the rate proceeding which provides MGS with an estimated
increase in annual revenues of $20 million.

     The gas costs of the Consumers Gas Group are reviewed by the MPSC in a
two-part gas cost recovery ("GCR") process which provides both advance and
after-the-fact reviews of gas costs and supply arrangements.  The MPSC allows
recovery through rates of CMS Energy's cost of gas sold if, and to the extent
that, the MPSC finds such costs reasonable and prudent on a forecasted basis.
Then, in a reconciliation after each GCR year is completed, a review of actual
gas costs and supply arrangements determines whether overcollections or
undercollections have occurred and, depending on the result, a refund or
surcharge, including interest, is ordered.





                                      -45-
<PAGE>   76

     In 1992, the FERC issued Order 636 ("Order 636") which makes a number of
significant changes to the structure of the services provided by interstate
natural gas pipelines.  Order 636 requires interstate pipeline companies to
"unbundle" their sales, transportation and storage services.  As a result, the
Consumers Gas Group, like other local natural gas distribution companies, has
been required to incur separate charges for firm transportation service, gas
storage services, and gas sales services provided by the interstate pipelines.
These costs were previously bundled together and charged only to firm sales
service customers.  In addition, while local gas distribution companies were
obligated to retain the firm transportation obligations of their former firm
sales contracts, they were permitted to abrogate their firm gas purchase
obligations in favor of purchasing gas from one or more third party gas
suppliers.  Thus, the Consumers Gas Group now has a greater direct
responsibility to plan and contract for the quantity, price, reliability and
character of the services it requires.

     In addition, Order 636 authorized local natural gas distribution
companies, such as the Consumers Gas Group, to release their firm
transportation capacity on interstate pipelines on a short-term or long-term
basis to third parties, thereby enabling such local natural gas distribution
companies to minimize the cost of holding firm transportation capacity, during
periods of time when such capacity is under-utilized, by enabling them to
release the capacity for use by third parties.

     Order 636 also called for the commencement of individual interstate
pipeline cases leading to implementation of restructuring for the 1993-94
winter heating season.  The Gas Distribution Business is a significant
purchaser of gas from an interstate pipeline, Trunkline, and is a major
transportation customer of a number of pipelines.  Through a settlement
approved by the FERC and MPSC, the Consumers Gas Group will be allowed recovery
of costs incurred in connection with the Trunkline restructuring.  The effect
of the transition costs relating to Consumers' agreements with ANR and
Panhandle on the Consumer Gas Group is minimal.

     One of the major effects of Order 636 was the transfer of responsibility
for acquiring gas supply from pipeline companies to the Consumers Gas Group and
other local natural gas distribution companies.  The responsibility for gas
acquisition carries with it risks of price fluctuations in the market price of
gas and the obligation to make cost-effective transportation and storage
arrangements.  The Gas Distribution Business requires sufficient firm
transportation capacity on interstate pipelines and sufficient storage
arrangements to meet peak day demand.  To ensure this deliverability firm
transportation and storage capacity must be available on a year-round basis
and, it may be necessary to pay for peak capacity even during the summer months
when there is substantially less demand for gas to fill that capacity.  The
Consumers Gas Group utilizes its substantial gas storage facilities to reduce
such costs.

     Prior to Order 636, the FERC determined rates which bundled gas supply
costs in with transportation and storage delivery costs as part of its
regulation of pipeline rates.  These federally-approved wholesale rates
provided a partial "safe-harbor" that restricted state commission inquiry into
purchasing practices.  With increased local utility responsibility for gas
procurements as a result of Order 636, the MPSC has reviewed the gas
procurement decisions of the Consumers Gas Group and other gas utilities in
Michigan in annual GCR cases.  The MPSC has not found imprudent or disallowed
for any other reason any costs incurred by the Consumers Gas Group for natural
gas purchases, transportation or storage in GCR cases after promulgation of
Order 636.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

     The Gas Distribution Business is subject to regulation with respect to
environmental quality, including air and water quality, zoning and other
matters, by various federal, state and local authorities.  The following
discussion relates to environmental matters which effect the Gas Distribution
Business.  Therefore, the outcome of these matters may effect the results of
operations of the Consumer Gas Group.  Capital expenditures for environmental
projects attributable to the Gas Distribution Business were $8 million in 1993
and are estimated to be $6 million in 1994 and $7 million in 1995.





                                      -46-
<PAGE>   77

     Under Michigan's Environmental Response Act ("Environmental Response
Act"), the Consumers Gas Group expects that it will ultimately incur clean-up
costs at a number of sites, including some of the 23 sites that formerly housed
manufactured gas plant facilities, even those in which Consumers has a partial
or no current ownership interest.  Parties other than Consumers with current or
former ownership interests may also be considered liable for site
investigations and remedial actions.

     The Consumers Gas Group has prepared plans for remedial
investigation/feasibility study for several of these sites to define the nature
and extent of contamination at these sites and to determine which of several
possible remedial action alternatives, including no action, may be required
under the Environmental Response Act.  The Michigan Department of Natural
Resources has approved two of three plans for remedial
investigation/feasibility study submitted by the Consumers Gas Group and is
currently reviewing the third.

     The preliminary findings for the first remedial investigation/feasibility
study completed in the first quarter of 1994 indicated that the expenditures
for remedial action at this site are likely to be minimal.  However, the
Consumers Gas Group does not believe that a single site was representative of
all of the sites.  Data available to the Consumers Gas Group and its continued
internal studies have resulted in an estimate of remedial action for all 23
sites of between $40 million and $140 million.  These estimates are based on
undiscounted 1994 costs.  At September 30, 1994, the Consumers Gas Group has
accrued a liability of $40 million, representing the minimum amount in the
range.  Any significant change in estimating assumptions such as remediation
technique, nature and extent of contamination and regulatory requirements,
could impact the estimate of remedial costs for the sites.

     The Consumers Gas Group believes that remedial costs will be recovered in
rates as the MPSC in 1993 addressed the question of recovery of investigation
and remedial costs for another Michigan gas utility as part of a gas rate case.
In that proceeding, the MPSC determined that prudent investigation and remedial
costs could be deferred and amortized over 10-year periods.  In order to be
recovered in rates, prudent unamortized costs must be approved by the MPSC in a
rate case.  Any costs amortized in years prior to filing a rate case may not be
recoverable.  The MPSC stated that the length of the amortization period may be
reviewed from time to time, but any revisions would be prospective.  The order
further provided that the prudency review would include a review of the
utility's attempts to obtain reimbursement from others.  The MPSC has also
approved similar deferred accounting requests by two other Michigan utilities
relative to investigation and remediation costs.  Accordingly, Consumers has
recorded a regulatory asset for the same amount as the accrued liability for
anticipated recovery of these investigation and remedial clean-up costs.

     The Consumers Gas Group has initiated discussions with certain insurance
companies with regard to coverage for some or all of the costs which may be
incurred for these sites.

     MGS has determined that it is liable for cleaning up contamination at its
Muskegon River Compressor Station.  The estimated cost of this clean-up effort
is $2.7 million.  As of December 31, 1993, this amount was accrued and recorded
as a deferred liability.  A corresponding regulatory asset was established, as
MGS believes the cost of a clean-up will be collectible through utility rates.
In early 1994, MGS identified an additional compressor site which it believes
has some contamination.  The investigation is in the early stages and MGS will
seek to recover these costs, as well, through utility rates, as it believes any
expenditures associated with this clean-up would be legitimate costs of doing
business.  Based on information known by management, MGS believes that it is
unlikely that its liability at any of the known contamination sites will have a
material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of
the Consumers Gas Group.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

     The Consumers Gas Group currently estimates capital expenditures,
including new lease commitments, will be $132 million for 1994, $125 million
for 1995 and $115 million for 1996.  These estimates include an attributed
portion of Consumers' anticipated capital expenditures for common plant and
equipment of $25





                                      -47-
<PAGE>   78

million, $14 million and $14 million for 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
Management believes these estimates are reasonable.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     The Gas Distribution Business is subject to regulation by various federal,
state and local authorities and may be the subject of legal action by third
parties.  The following discussion relates to certain legal proceedings which
affect the Gas Distribution Business.  Therefore, the outcome of these
proceedings may effect the results of operations of the Consumers Gas Group.

     MPSC CASE NO. U-10029 - INTRASTATE GAS SUPPLY.  In November 1991, the
Consumers Gas Group filed with the MPSC Case No. U-10029 seeking several kinds
of relief with respect to a contract with one of its intrastate gas suppliers,
North Michigan ("North Michigan"), including lowering a contract price.  North
Michigan filed an objection with the MPSC and in July 1992 filed a collateral
case in Federal Court seeking an injunction to block the MPSC case.  On April
8, 1993, the Federal Court dismissed North Michigan's suit.  The U.S. Sixth
Circuit Court of Appeals ("US Court of Appeals") upheld the lower Court's
dismissal.

     On February 8, 1993, the MPSC issued an order granting the Consumers Gas
Group's request to lower the price to be paid North Michigan under its
contract.  In March 1993, North Michigan filed an appeal of the MPSC's February
8, 1993 order with the Court of Appeals.  In July 1993, consistent with the
MPSC's February 8, 1993 Order, the Consumers Gas Group notified North Michigan
that it planned to terminate the contract in November 1993.  In early October
1993, North Michigan sought to have the US Court of Appeals stay such
cancellation of the contract.  The US Court of Appeals denied this request in
late October 1993 and Consumers terminated the contract effective November 1,
1993.  If the MPSC order is overturned, the Consumers Gas Group would have to
pay North Michigan higher contract costs for purchases in 1993 which may not be
authorized by the MPSC for recovery from Consumers' customers.  Should North
Michigan obtain a favorable decision on all of the issues on appeal, including
the Consumers Gas Group's termination of the contract in 1993, the Group's
total remaining exposure would be $24 million, for which a loss has been
accrued.  The Consumers Gas Group cannot predict the outcome of this appeal.

     GAS SUPPLIER DISPUTE.  On September 1, 1993, the Consumers Gas Group
commenced gas purchases from Trunkline under a continuation of a prior sales
agreement at a reduced price compared to prior gas sales.  Eight direct gas
suppliers of Consumers Gas Group, who had their contract price tied to the
price Consumers pays Trunkline, have claimed that the reduced Trunkline gas
cost was not a proper reference price under their contracts with Consumers.
Lawsuits were pending in which the suppliers were seeking open pricing and/or
renegotiation of the pricing provisions of their contracts.  Certain of the
suppliers also alleged that, absent successful renegotiation, they had the
right to terminate their supply contracts with the Consumers Gas Group.
Subsequently, Consumers and seven of the suppliers agreed to enter into new
contracts at negotiated rates, with initial terms ranging from one to three
years.  Consumers and the remaining supplier agreed to terminate their existing
contract.  The Consumers Gas Group believes that the terms of such settlements
will not have a material adverse effect on it.

     CMS ENERGY'S EXEMPTION UNDER THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF
1935.  CMS Energy is exempt from registration under PUHCA.  In December 1991,
the Attorney General and the MMCG filed a request with the Commission for the
revocation of CMS Energy's exemption.  In April 1992, the MPSC filed a
statement with the Commission that recommended that the Commission impose
certain conditions on CMS Energy's exemption.  CMS Energy has vigorously
opposed the proposed exemption revocation and/or modification, primarily on the
grounds that the matters complained of by the Attorney General and MMCG have
all been addressed and resolved in proceedings before other regulatory and
judicial authorities, primarily at the State level, with the Attorney General
and MMCG participating.

     Should the Commission revoke CMS Energy's current exemption from
registration under PUHCA, CMS Energy could either become a registered holding
company or be granted a new exemption, possibly





                                      -48-
<PAGE>   79

subject to conditions similar to those recommended by the MPSC.  Registration
under PUHCA could require divestment by CMS Energy of either the Gas
Distribution Business or electric utility business conducted by Consumers by
some future date following registration.  As a registered company, CMS Energy
could also be precluded from engaging in businesses that are not functionally
related to its utility operations; in addition, the Commission approval would
be required for the issuance of securities by CMS Energy and its subsidiaries.
If divestiture of the Gas Distribution Business or Consumer's electric utility
business ultimately were required, the effect on the Consumers Gas Group and
CMS Energy would depend on the method of divestitures and the extent of the
proceeds received, which cannot now be predicted.

     CMS Energy believes it will maintain the exemption.  There has been no
action taken by the Commission on this matter.

EMPLOYEES

     The Consumers Gas Group had approximately 3,284 employees at December 31,
1994.  This total includes approximately 1,400 full-time operating, maintenance
and construction employees who are represented by Utility Workers Union of
America (AFL-CIO) (the "Union").  A collective bargaining agreement was
negotiated between Consumers and the Union which became effective on June 1,
1992 and, by its terms, will continue in effect until June 1, 1995.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

     The following table sets forth selected financial information at December
31, 1994 and 1993 and for the years ended on such dates for the businesses
attributed to the Consumers Gas Group.  This information should be read in
conjunction with the Consumers Gas Group Financial Statements and Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations set
forth elsewhere herein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Year Ended
                                                                                           December 31, 
                                                                                          ---------------
                                                                                           1994       1993
                                                                                           ----       ----
                                                                                        (unaudited)
                                                                                           In Millions
<S>                                                                                     <C>          <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

Operating Revenues  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $1,151       $1,160
Pretax Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $  135       $  146
Net Operating Income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $   94       $  107
Net Income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $   53       $   66

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Net Plant and Property  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $  994       $  931
Total Assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $1,673       $1,628
Total Debt (excluding current maturities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $  525       $  485
Stockholders' Equity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $  317       $  288
</TABLE>

        In the opinion of the management of CMS Energy, all adjustments
requires have been recorded in order to fairly reflect the financial condition
of the Consumers Gas Group as of such dates and the results of operations of
the Gas Distribution Business for such years.





                                      -49-
<PAGE>   80

        The 1994 results of operations were adversely affected by unseasonably
warm weather in November and December 1994, in the service area of the Gas
Distribution Business, resulting in gas sales and gas transported in the fourth
quarter totalling 111 Bcf, a 12 percent decrease from the corresponding 1993
level.

                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP
               SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

     The selected consolidated financial data of the Consumers Gas Group
presented below for the nine months ended September 30, 1994 and 1993 were
derived from the Consumers Gas Group Financial Statements contained elsewhere
herein.  The selected income statement data for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1993 and the balance sheet data as of
December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 were derived from the Consumers Gas Group
Financial Statements contained elsewhere herein which have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants.  The following selected
consolidated financial and operating data reflect the results of operations and
certain financial and operating data of the businesses attributed to the
Consumers Gas Group and should be read in conjunction with "Use of Proceeds,"
Consumers Gas Group Financial Statements, "Consumers Gas Group -- Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation,"
"Business of the Consumers Gas Group," CMS Energy's Financial Statements and
"CMS Energy -- Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" contained elsewhere herein.  The pro forma net income
data reflects the sale and issuance of 5 million shares of Class G Common Stock
(representing 20% of the equity in the Consumers Gas Group) as if the sale
occurred on January 1, 1993.  The net proceeds of the Offering will be used
initially to retire a portion of CMS Energy debt, none of which is attributable
to the Consumers Gas Group.  Accordingly, other than with respect to net income
and earnings per share applicable to outstanding Class G Common Stock
shareholders, no pro forma adjustments were necessary to Consumers Gas Group's
historical financial statements to give effect to the transactions described
above.





                                      -50-
<PAGE>   81





                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP
              SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONS DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Nine Months Ended
                                                               September 30,         Years Ended December 31,
                                                             -----------------      -------------------------
                                                             1994       1993       1993       1992       1991
                                                             ----       ----       ----       ----       ----
                                                          (Unaudited)
                                                                     Dollars in Millions, except as noted
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>

INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

  OPERATING REVENUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           $  837     $  809     $1,160     $1,126     $1,061
                                                            ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

  OPERATING EXPENSES
       Operation
         Cost of gas sold . . . . . . . . . . . .           $  475     $  473     $  678     $  673     $  677
         Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              137        125        171        177        172
                                                            ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

           Total operation  . . . . . . . . . . .           $  612     $  598     $  849     $  850     $  849
       Maintenance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .               29         25         38         37         27
       Depreciation, depletion and amortization .               51         49         73         76         70
       General taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .               39         41         54         54         51
                                                            ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

           Total operating expenses . . . . . . .           $  731     $  713     $1,014     $1,017     $  997
                                                            ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

  PRETAX OPERATING INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . .           $  106     $   96     $  146     $  109     $   64
  INCOME TAXES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .               32         27         39         35          2
                                                            ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

  NET OPERATING INCOME  . . . . . . . . . . . . .           $   74     $   69     $  107     $   74     $   62
                                                            ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

  OTHER INCOME (DEDUCTIONS)
       Other income taxes, net  . . . . . . . . .           $    -     $    1     $    1     $    1     $   (2)
       Other, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .               (1)        (2)        (3)        (4)         5
                                                            ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

           Total other income (deductions)  . . .           $   (1)    $   (1)    $   (2)    $   (3)    $    3
                                                            ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

  FIXED CHARGES
       Interest on long-term debt . . . . . . . .           $   22     $   22     $   31     $   28     $   41
       Other interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                3          4          7          1         21
       Capitalized interest . . . . . . . . . . .                -          -         (1)         -          -
       Preferred dividends  . . . . . . . . . . .                3          1          2          2          2
                                                            ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

           Net fixed charges  . . . . . . . . . .           $   28     $   27     $   39     $   31     $   64
                                                            ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

Net Income                                                  $   45     $   41     $   66     $   40     $    1
                                                            ======     ======     ======     ======     ======

Net income applicable to outstanding
  Class G common stock - Pro Forma  . . . . . . .           $    9                $   13

Earnings per share applicable to outstanding
  Class G common stock - Pro Forma  . . . . . . .           $ 1.80                $ 2.60
                                                            ------                ------



BALANCE SHEET DATA:

  Net plant and property  . . . . . . . . . . . .           $  968     $  908     $  931     $  846     $  806

  Total assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           $1,625     $1,604     $1,628     $1,574     $1,332

  Long-term debt, excluding current maturities  .           $  343     $  373     $  376     $  392     $  310

  Notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           $  110     $  143     $  109     $   23     $   75

  Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           $  861     $  888     $  910     $  856     $  737

  Common stockholders' equity                               $  325     $  288     $  288     $  269     $  229

OTHER FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA:

  Cash flows from operations (in millions)  . . .           $  117     $   (2)    $   80     $  106     $  180

  Sales and transportation deliveries (Bcf) (a) .              283        269        389        364        339

  Customers (in thousands)  . . . . . . . . . . .            1,428      1,406      1,423      1,402      1,382

  Average sales rate ($/mcf)                                $ 4.51     $ 4.61     $ 4.46     $ 4.55     $ 4.58 
</TABLE>

_________________________________________________
(a)  Excludes off-system transportation services.





                                      51

<PAGE>   82

                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


         The unaudited pro forma condensed statements of income for the nine
months ended September 30, 1994 and for the year ended December 31, 1993
reflect the sale and issuance of 5 million shares of Class G Common Stock
(representing 20% of the equity in the Consumers Gas Group) as if the sale
occurred on January 1, 1993.  The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to
retire CMS Energy bank debt, none of which was attributable to the Consumers
Gas Group.  Accordingly, other than with respect to net income and net income
per share available to outstanding Class G Common Stock shareholders, no pro
forma adjustments were necessary to the Consumers Gas Group's historical
financial statements to give effect to the transactions described above.

         The unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements should be read
in conjunction with "Use of Proceeds," Consumers Gas Group Financial
Statements, "Consumers Gas Group -- Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business of the Consumers Gas
Group," CMS Energy's Financial Statements and "CMS Energy -- Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
contained elsewhere herein.  The unaudited pro forma condensed financial
statements are not necessarily indicative of results that would have occurred
if the transactions described above occurred or the capital structure of the
Consumers Gas Group was in effect for the periods indicated, or of the
financial condition or results of the Consumers Gas Group for any future date
or period.





                                       52
<PAGE>   83

                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Nine Months Ended September 30, 1994       Year Ended December 31, 1993
                                   Historical  Adjustments    Pro Forma   Historical  Adjustments    Pro Forma
                                   ----------  -----------    ---------   ----------  -----------    ---------
                                                   In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts
<S>                              <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Operating revenue                 $  837                     $  837       $1,160                    $1,160
                                  ------        ------       ------       ------       ------       ------

Operating expenses
  Operation
    Cost of gas sold                 475                        475          678                       678
    Other                            137                        137          171                       171
                                  ------        ------       ------       ------       ------       ------

      Total operation                612                        612          849                       849
  Maintenance                         29                         29           38                        38
  Depreciation, depletion and
   amortization                       51                         51           73                        73
  General taxes                       39                         39           54                        54
                                  ------        ------       ------       ------       ------       ------

      Total operating expenses       731                        731        1,014                     1,014
                                  ------        ------       ------       ------       ------       ------

Pretax operating income              106                        106          146                       146
Income taxes                          32                         32           39                        39
                                  ------        ------       ------       ------       ------       ------

Net operating income                  74                         74          107                       107
                                  ------        ------       ------       ------       ------       ------

Other income (deductions)             (1)                        (1)          (2)                       (2)
                                  ------        ------       ------       ------       ------       ------

Fixed Charges
  Interest on long-term debt          22                         22           31                        31
  Other interest                       3                          3            7                         7
  Capitalized interest                 -                          -           (1)                       (1)
  Preferred dividends                  3                          3            2                         2
                                  ------        ------       ------       ------       ------       ------

      Net fixed charges               28                         28           39                        39
                                  ------        ------       ------       ------       ------       ------

Net income                        $   45                     $   45       $   66                    $   66
                                  ======        ======       ======       ======       ======       ======

Net income available to
 CMS Energy shareholders
 through Retained Interest        $   45       $   (9)(b)    $   36(a)    $   66       $  (13)(b)   $   53(a)
                                  ======       =======       ======       ======       =======      ======   

Net income available to
 Class G Common Stock
 shareholders                     $    -       $    9(b)     $    9       $    -       $   13(b)    $   13
                                  ======       ======        ======       ======       =======      ======

Net income per share
 available to Class G
 Common Stock
 shareholders                     $    -       $ 1.80(a)(c)  $ 1.80       $    -       $ 2.60(a)(c) $ 2.60
                                  ======       ======        ======       ======       =======      ======
</TABLE>

________________________

(a)  Assumes the rights to 80% of the earnings of the Consumers Gas Group to be
     retained by the holders of CMS Energy Common Stock.

(b)  Assumes the rights to 20% of the earnings of the Consumers Gas Group to be
     available to the holders of Class G Common Stock as a result of the 
     Offering.

(c)  Assumes 5 million shares of Class G Common Stock outstanding which
     represent 20% of the rights to the earnings of the Consumers Gas Group.





                                      -53-
<PAGE>   84

                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

   CMS Energy is the parent holding company of Consumers and Enterprises.
Consumers, a combination electric and gas utility company serving most of the
Lower Peninsula of Michigan, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy.
Consumers' customer base includes a mix of residential, commercial and
diversified industrial customers, the largest of which is the automotive
industry.  Enterprises is engaged in several non- utility energy-related
businesses including:  1) oil and gas exploration and production, 2)
development and operation of independent power production facilities, 3) gas
marketing services to end users, and 4) storage and transmission of natural
gas.

   In September 1994, management announced that Consumers is being internally
reorganized into separate electric utility and gas utility strategic business
units.  The restructuring, effective January 1, 1995, while not affecting
Consumers' consolidated financial statements or corporate legal form, is
designed to sharpen management focus, improve efficiency and accountability in
both business segments and better position Consumers for growth in the gas
market and to meet increased competition in the electric power market.
Management believes that the strategic business unit structure will allow each
unit to focus more on its own profitability and growth potential, and will
ultimately, in the long term, result in lower overall costs.

   CMS Energy is seeking shareholder approval to amend its Articles of
Incorporation and authorize a new class of Common Stock of CMS Energy.  The new
class of Common Stock, designated Class G Common Stock, is intended to, and, if
and after any shares of Class G Common Stock are issued, will, reflect the
separate performance of the gas distribution, storage and transportation
businesses conducted by Consumers and Michigan Gas Storage (such business,
collectively, will be attributed to the Consumers Gas Group).  The existing CMS
Energy Common Stock will continue to be outstanding and, if and after any
shares of Class G Common Stock are issued by CMS Energy, will be intended to
reflect the performance of all of the businesses of CMS Energy and its
subsidiaries, including the business of the Consumers Gas Group, except for the
interest in the Consumers Gas Group attributable to the outstanding shares of
the Class G Common Stock.

   If the shareholders of CMS Energy approve the proposed amendment to the
Articles of Incorporation, CMS Energy may, subject to prevailing market and
other conditions, offer shares of Class G Common Stock for sale for cash in the
Offering.  The net proceeds of such offering would be invested in the
businesses of CMS Energy and used for its general corporate purposes.  Such net
proceeds will be used initially to repay a portion of the debt of CMS Energy
(none of which is attributable to the Consumers Gas Group).  Shares of Class G
Common Stock intended to represent approximately ___ percent of the common
stockholders' equity value attributed to the Consumers Gas Group are being
offered to the public in the Offering.  Additional authorized shares of Class G
Common Stock could be offered by CMS Energy in the future at the discretion of
the Board of Directors and without further shareholder approval.

   Consumers is a regulated utility.  Accordingly, the majority of the
accounting allocation policies described in this discussion have a long-
standing basis and have historically been used in proceedings conducted before
the MPSC.  The financial statements for Consumers Gas Group have been prepared
based upon consistent methods that management believes are reasonable and
appropriate to reflect its financial position, results of operations and cash
flows.  Where appropriate, the financial statements reflect the assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses directly related to the Consumers Gas Group.
However, in instances where common accounts (containing both electric and gas
activities) were not readily attributable to a single business segment,
management allocated to the Consumers Gas Group's financial statements based on
certain measures of business activities, such as gas revenues, salaries, other
operations and maintenance ("O&M")





                                      -54-
<PAGE>   85

expenditures, number of gas customers in relationship to total utility
customers and/or functional use surveys.  Management believes the attributions
are reasonable.

   Although the financial statements of Consumers Gas Group separately report
the assets, liabilities and stockholders' equity, legal title to such assets
and the responsibility for such liabilities are not separately identifiable to
a specific class of common stock.  Therefore, the creditors of CMS Energy are
unaffected by the implementation of the Consumers Gas Group, because all assets
of the corporation remain available to satisfy all liabilities.  The holders of
CMS Energy Common Stock and the Class G Common Stock will be subject to all
risks associated with investments in CMS Energy.  Holders of Class G Common
Stock have no direct rights in the equity or assets of Consumers Gas Group, but
rather have rights in the equity and assets of CMS Energy.   Accordingly, CMS
Energy's consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in
conjunction with these financial statements.

   Dividends on the Class G Common Stock will be paid at the discretion of the
Board of Directors based primarily upon the earnings and financial condition of
the Consumers Gas Group, and, to a lesser extent, CMS Energy as a whole.
Dividends will be payable out of the lesser of (i) the assets of CMS Energy
legally available therefor and (ii) the Available Class G Dividend Amount.

   Dividends with respect to the Class G Common Stock are expected to be paid
commensurate with dividend practices of comparable publicly-held local natural
gas distribution companies generally.  Management believes that such practices
currently are to pay out from 70% to 85% of annual earnings available for
dividends on common stock.

   CMS Energy, in the sole discretion of its Board of Directors, could pay
dividends exclusively to the holders of CMS Energy Common Stock, exclusively to
the holders of Class G Common Stock, or to the holders of both of such classes
in equal or unequal amounts.  It is the Board of Directors' current intention
that the declaration or payment of dividends with respect to the Class G Common
Stock shall not be reduced, suspended or eliminated as a result of factors
arising out of or relating to the electric utility business or the non-utility
businesses of CMS Energy unless such factors also require, in the Board of
Directors' sole discretion, the omission of the declaration or reduction in
payment of dividends on both the CMS Energy Common Stock and the Class G Common
Stock.

   The availability and amount of dividends payable with respect to the Class G
Common Stock could be adversely effected by the other businesses of CMS Energy.
While CMS Energy believes that all of its operations are conducted in
accordance with industry and regulatory standards, it is possible that the
results of operations of these businesses could impact the level of, or
eliminate CMS Energy's ability to pay dividends on, the Class G Common Stock.

   For further information regarding the CMS Energy stock proposal, including
additional dividend information, voting, liquidation and potential tax issues,
see Notes 2, 6 and 11 of Notes to Financial Statements of Consumers Gas Group
(hereafter referred to as the "Consumers Gas Group Notes") included elsewhere
herein.

EARNINGS

   Net income for the Consumers Gas Group totaled $45 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1994, compared to $41 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1993.  This increase reflects higher gas deliveries and
more favorable regulatory recovery of gas costs, partially offset by higher
costs related to operating and depreciation costs.

   Net income for the Consumers Gas Group in 1993 totaled $66 million, compared
to $40 million in 1992 and $1 million in 1991.  Improved earnings in 1993
reflect record-setting gas deliveries.  For the year ended





                                      -55-
<PAGE>   86

December 31, 1993, gas sales and transportation volumes increased 7% from the
corresponding 1992 level.  Improved earnings in 1993 and 1992 reflect more
favorable regulatory recovery of gas costs.

CASH POSITION, FINANCING AND INVESTING

   CMS Energy's primary ongoing source of operating cash is dividends from its
principal subsidiaries.  Consumers effected a quasi-reorganization as of
December 31, 1992, which allowed it to resume paying common dividends (see Note
6 to the Financial Statements).  Common dividends paid in 1993 totaled $133
million and an additional common dividend of $16 million was paid during the
first quarter of 1994 from 1993 earnings.  In addition, Consumers also paid $97
million in 1994 common dividends from current year earnings.  In October 1994,
Consumers declared a $36 million common stock dividend payable in November
1994.  Consumers Gas Group's attributed portion of Consumers' total common
dividend payments totaled $47 million for 1993 and $30 million for the first
nine months of 1994.  With the issuance of Class G Common Stock, all Consumers
Gas Group dividends will be paid to Class G Common Stock shareholders or
attributed to Retained Interest.

   The Consumers Gas Group's consolidated cash requirements are met by cash
from operations and financing activities.  In 1993 and 1992, the Consumers Gas
Group's cash inflow from operations was derived mainly from Consumers' sale and
transportation of natural gas.  Cash from operations for 1993 primarily
reflects Consumers' record-setting gas deliveries.

   During 1992, the Consumers Gas Group's cash from operations decreased as
compared to 1991 primarily due to higher operational expenditures.  In 1991,
cash was generated primarily from operating activities.

Over the last three years, the Consumers Gas Group has used its consolidated
cash to fund its gas utility construction expenditures, to improve the
reliability of its gas utility transmission and distribution systems.  It also
has used its cash to retire portions of long-term securities and to pay cash
dividends.

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   Consumers manages its long-term debt on a centralized consolidated basis.
During 1993, Consumers significantly reduced its future interest charges by
retiring approximately $51 million of high-cost outstanding debt and
refinancing approximately $573 million of other debt at lower interest rates.
During the first quarter of 1994, Consumers redeemed first mortgage bonds
totaling $100 million.

   In March 1994, Consumers issued and sold 8 million shares of Class A
Preferred Stock (cumulative, without par value) with a stated annual dividend
rate of 8.32%.  Net proceeds of $193 million from the sale are being used for
general corporate purposes, including debt retirement and improvements to
Consumers' distribution systems.  The Consumers Gas Group's attributed portion
of the net proceeds totaled $42 million.

   In November 1994, Consumers entered into a new $400 million unsecured,
variable rate, five-year term loan and subsequently used the proceeds to
refinance its long-term credit agreement (see Note 6 of Consumers Gas Group
Notes) and to reduce short-term borrowings.

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   Capital expenditures for the Consumers Gas Group (excluding assets placed
under capital lease) totaled $153 million, $107 million, and $68 million for
the years ended 1993, 1992, and 1991, respectively.  Capital expenditures
totaled $83 million and $107 million for the nine months ended September 1994
and September 1993, respectively.  These amounts primarily represent capital
investments.





                                      -56-
<PAGE>   87

OUTLOOK

   CMS Energy currently estimates that capital expenditures for the Consumers
Gas Group, including new lease commitments, will total $372 million over the
next three years.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Years Ended December 31,      
                                                                          ------------------------------------
                                                                        1994              1995              1996
                                                                        ----              ----              ----
                                                                                       In Millions
<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>               <C>
Gas utility(1)                                                         $126             $120              $107
Michigan Gas Storage                                                      6                5                 8
                                                                       ----             ----              ----

                                                                       $132             $125              $115
                                                                       ====             ====              ====
</TABLE>

(1) These estimates include an attributed portion of Consumers' anticipated
capital expenditures for common plant and equipment of $25 million, $14 million
and $14 million for 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

        The Consumers Gas Group expects that cash from operations and the
ability to access debt markets will provide necessary working capital and
liquidity to fund future capital expenditures, required debt payments and other
cash needs in the foreseeable future.

        Consumers, which generally manages its short-term financings on a
centralized, consolidated basis, has several available sources of credit
including unsecured, committed lines of credit totaling $185 million and a $470
million working capital facility.  Consumers has requested FERC authorization
to issue or guarantee up to $900 million in short-term debt through December
31, 1996.  This is the same amount of short-term debt authorized through 1994.
Consumers uses short-term borrowings to finance working capital, seasonal fuel
inventory, and to pay for capital expenditures between long-term financings.
Consumers also has an agreement permitting the sales of certain accounts
receivable for up to $500 million.  At September 30, 1994 and 1993, and
December 31, 1993 and 1992, the Consumers Gas Group's attributed portion of
receivables sold totaled $32 million, $25 million, $124 million and $52
million, respectively.

GAS UTILITY OPERATIONS

COMPARATIVE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The Gas Distribution Business is subject to the regulatory jurisdiction
of the MPSC with respect to utility rates.  The earnings of the Consumers Gas
Group depend substantially upon its ability to secure timely and appropriate
rate relief for the Gas Distribution Business.  Also, a major factor affecting
Consumers Gas Group's results of operations is gas usage which is impacted by
the weather, particularly with respect to residential and commercial customers
who use natural gas primarily for space heating, and, to a lesser extent,
industrial customers.

        GAS PRETAX OPERATING INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1994 AND 1993:  As summarized in the table below, the $10 million improvement
in 1994 gas pretax operating income compared to 1993 reflects higher gas
deliveries (both sales and transportation volumes) and the favorable resolution
of a previously recorded gas cost contingency, partially offset by higher
depreciation and gas operating costs which include $7.5 million of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 106 costs related to the gas settlement
with the MPSC (see "Gas Utility Rates").

        GAS PRETAX OPERATING INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993,
1992, AND 1991:  As summarized in the table below, for 1993, pretax operating
income increased $37 million compared to 1992.  This increase reflects higher
gas deliveries due to growth and colder temperatures, and more favorable





                                      -57-
<PAGE>   88

regulatory recovery of gas costs related to transportation deliveries.  During
1992, gas pretax operating income increased $45 million from the 1991 level,
essentially for many of the same reasons as the 1993 period.

The following table quantifies the impact of the major reasons for the changes
in gas pretax operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 1994 and
1993, and for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Impact on Pretax Operating Income              
                                                 -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Nine months ended        Year ended           Year ended
                                                      1994 compared         1993 compared        1992 compared
                                                       to 1993                to 1992              to 1991      
                                                  ---------------------     ----------------      -----------------
                                                                              In Millions
<S>                                                      <C>                 <C>             <C>
Deliveries  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $12                $17              $20
Regulatory recovery of gas costs  . . . . . . . . . .      14                 12               48
O&M, general taxes and depreciation . . . . . . . . .     (14)                 8             (23)
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (2)                 -                - 
                                                          ---                ---              ---

Total Change                                             $ 10                $37              $45
                                                         ====                ===              ===
</TABLE>

        GAS DELIVERIES:  For the nine months ended September 30, 1994, gas
sales and gas transported totaled 298 bcf, a 5.8% increase from the
corresponding 1993 level due largely to record cold winter weather.  For the
year ended December 31, 1993 gas sales and gas transported totaled 411 bcf, a
6.9% increase from the corresponding 1992 period.  This increase occurred in
both firm sales and transportation deliveries.  For the year ended December 31,
1992, gas sales and gas transported totaled 384 bcf, a combined 6.1% increase
from 1991 deliveries.

The following table quantifies gas deliveries for the nine months ended
September 30, 1994 and 1993, and for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1992
and 1991:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Nine months ended
                                                         September 30,           Years Ended December 31,
                                                         ---------------        ---------------------------
                                                      1994          1993        1993        1992        1991
                                                      ----          ----        ----        ----        ----
                                                                                 Bcf
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Gas Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            173           165         245         234         222
Transportation deliveries . . . . . . . . .             52            50          71          66          62
Transportation for MCV  . . . . . . . . . .             58            54          73          64          55
Off-system transportation
  service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             15            13          22          20          23
                                                        --            --          --          --          --

  Total deliveries  . . . . . .     . . . .            298           282         411         384         362
                                                       ===           ===         ===         ===         ===
</TABLE>

        COST OF GAS SOLD:    The cost of gas sold for the nine months ended
September 30, 1994 increased $2 million from the corresponding 1993 level.
This increase reflects higher deliveries partially offset by lower costs per
mcf.  The lower costs per mcf are due to more favorable gas contracts with
interstate suppliers, resulting from the impact of FERC Order 636, and the
termination and expiration of high-cost contracts with certain Michigan gas
producers.  The moderate increase of $5 million in cost of gas sold when
comparing years ended December 31, 1993 and 1992 resulted from the net impact
of higher deliveries partially offset by gas pipeline refunds and reduced gas
purchase costs.  The decrease in cost of gas sold comparing the years ended
December 31, 1992 and 1991 was $4 million.





                                      -58-
<PAGE>   89

GAS UTILITY RATES

        In July 1994, the MPSC approved an agreement previously reached between
the MPSC staff and Consumers, to charge $10 million of costs for postretirement
benefits computed under SFAS 106 against earnings over the last six months of
1994.  This charge against earnings partially offset costs related to state
property taxes which have been reduced. The agreement was reached in response
to an assertion by the MPSC staff that gas utility business earnings for 1993
were in excess of the currently authorized level.  The agreement also provides
for an additional $4 million of 1995-related SFAS 106 costs to be charged
against 1995 earnings instead of being deferred.  As part of the agreement,
Consumers committed to file a gas rate case before December 31, 1994, that will
among other things incorporate cost increases, including costs for
postretirement benefits computed under SFAS 106, into its retail gas rates.  A
final order is expected in late 1995.  No assurance can be given as to the
level of rates which will be authorized by the MPSC.  Consumers' gas
distribution business is currently authorized to earn a 13.25% rate of return
on equity.  Consumers' most recent rate filing for its electric utility
business resulted in an authorized rate of return on equity of 11.75%.  See
Note 14 of Consumers Gas Group notes for certain recent developments.

        In gas rate cases the MPSC determines, among other things, an
appropriate capital structure, including equity, for the Gas Distribution
Business and approves a rate of return on such equity.  Because the Gas
Distribution Business is part of Consumers, it does not have its own capital
structure.  Accordingly, in the most recent gas rate case decided by the MPSC
relating to the Gas Distribution Business, the MPSC utilized a Proxy Capital
Structure.  It is possible that in future gas rate cases, the MPSC may use
another methodology to determine the equity used for rate making purposes for
the Consumers Gas Group or otherwise select a methodology different than the
Proxy Capital Structure.  The capital structure employed for ratemaking
purposes directly affects the overall rate of return of a rate regulated
enterprise.

        A dispute involving pricing under contracts Consumers had with eight
direct gas suppliers has been resolved.  The dispute revolved around whether
the price Consumers pays Trunkline for gas was the proper reference price for
these eight gas supply contracts.  Consumers and seven of the suppliers have
agreed to enter into new contracts, at negotiated rates, with initial terms
ranging from one to three years.  Consumers and the remaining supplier agreed
to terminate their existing contract.

        In 1992, the FERC issued Order 636, which makes a number of significant
changes to the structure of the services provided by interstate natural gas
pipelines.  Consumers is a significant purchaser of gas from an interstate
pipeline (Trunkline) and is a major transportation customer of a number of
pipelines.  Through a settlement approved by the FERC and MPSC, Consumers will
be allowed recovery of costs incurred in connection with the Trunkline
restructuring.  The effect of the transition costs relating to Consumers'
agreements with ANR and Panhandle on Consumers is minimal.

        In July 1993, Michigan Gas Storage submitted a notice of rate change
with the FERC to revise its operation and maintenance expenses for 1993 and
update plant costs to reflect the addition of $27 million of new plant
additions in 1993 and began collecting the revised rates designed to provide
annual revenues of $22 million, subject to refund and a hearing in February
1994.  In June 1994, the FERC approved a stipulation and agreement in full
settlement of the rate proceeding, which provides Michigan Gas Storage with
estimated annual revenues of $20 million.  For further information regarding
gas utility rates, see Note 3 to Consumers Gas Group Notes.

GAS ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

        Under Michigan's Environmental Response Act, Consumers expects that it
will ultimately incur clean-up costs at a number of sites, including some of
the 23 sites that formerly housed manufactured gas plant facilities, even those
in which it has a partial or no current ownership interest.  Parties other than





                                      -59-
<PAGE>   90

Consumers with current or former ownership interests may also be considered
liable for site investigations and remedial actions.

        Consumers has prepared plans for remedial investigation/feasibility
studies for several of these manufactured gas plant sites to define the nature
and extent of contamination at these sites and to determine which of several
possible remedial action alternatives, including no action, may be required
under the Environmental Response Act.  The Michigan Department of Natural
Resources ("DNR") has approved two of three plans for remedial
investigation/feasibility studies submitted by Consumers and is currently
reviewing the third.

        The findings for the first remedial investigation indicate that the
expenditures for remedial action at this site are likely to be minimal.
However, Consumers does not believe that a single site is representative of all
of the sites.  Data available to Consumers and its continued internal review
have resulted in an estimate for all costs related to remedial action for all
23 sites of between $40 million and $140 million.  These estimates are based on
undiscounted 1994 costs.  At September 30, 1994, Consumers has accrued a
liability of $40 million, representing the minimum amount in the range.  Any
significant change in assumptions such as remediation technique, nature and
extent of contamination and regulatory requirements, could impact the estimate
of remedial costs for the sites.

        Consumers believes that remedial costs are recoverable in rates as the
MPSC in 1993 addressed the question of recovery of investigation and remedial
costs for another Michigan gas utility as part of a gas rate case.  In that
proceeding, the MPSC determined that prudent investigation and remedial costs
could be deferred and amortized over 10-year periods.  In order to be recovered
in rates, prudent costs must be approved in a rate case.  Any costs amortized
in years prior to filing a rate case may not be recoverable.  The MPSC stated
that the length of the amortization period may be reviewed from time to time,
but any revisions would be prospective.  The order further provided that the
prudency review would include a review of the utility's attempts to obtain
reimbursement from others.  The MPSC has also approved similar deferred
accounting requests by two other Michigan utilities relative to investigation
and remediation costs.  Accordingly, Consumers has recorded a regulatory asset
for the same amount as the accrued liability for anticipated recovery of these
investigation and remedial clean-up costs.  Consumers has initiated discussions
with certain insurance companies regarding coverage for some or all of the
costs which may be incurred for these sites.  Consumers plans to seek recovery
of remedial action costs in its gas rate case to be filed in 1994.

OTHER

        FIXED CHARGES:  Fixed charges in 1993 for the Consumers Gas Group
increased $8 million from 1992 and primarily reflect debt outstanding with
higher rates of interest in 1993.  The significant decrease in fixed charges in
1992 from 1991 primarily reflects Consumers' program aimed at significantly
reducing its debt and the refinancing of debt at lower interest rates.

        PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT EXEMPTION:  CMS Energy is exempt
from registration under PUHCA.  However, the Attorney General and the MMCG have
asked the Commission to revoke CMS Energy's exemption from registration under
PUHCA.  In April 1992, the MPSC filed a statement with the Commission
recommending that CMS Energy's current exemption be revoked and a new exemption
be issued conditioned upon certain reporting and operating requirements.  If
CMS Energy were to lose its current exemption, it would become more heavily
regulated by the Commission; Consumers could ultimately be forced to divest
either its electric or gas utility business; and CMS Energy would be restricted
from conducting businesses that are not functionally related to the conduct of
its utility business as determined by the Commission.  CMS Energy is opposing
this request and believes it will maintain its current exemption from
registration under PUHCA.





                                      -60-
<PAGE>   91

        NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS:  In October 1994, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS 118, Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan-Income Recognition and Disclosures, and SFAS 119,
Disclosure about Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial
Instruments.  Consumers is studying these statements, which are effective for
year-end 1994 financial statements, but does not expect either statement will
have a material impact on Consumers' financial position or results of
operations.





                                      -61-
<PAGE>   92

                                   CMS ENERGY
                  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        The selected consolidated financial information of CMS Energy presented
below for and at the nine months ended September 30, 1994 and 1993 were derived
from the CMS Energy Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere
herein.  The selected consolidated income statement data for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 1993 and the balance sheet data as
of December 31, 1993 and December 31, 1992 were derived from the CMS Energy
consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere herein which have been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants.  The following
selected consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with
CMS Energy Consolidated Financial Statements, "CMS Energy--Unaudited Pro forma
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" and "CMS Energy--Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Nine Months Ended 
                                                          ------------------
                                                             September 30  
                                                          -----------------
                                                          1994       1993         Years Ended December 31
                                                          ----       ----       -------------------------
                                                             (Unaudited)         1993       1992       1991
       (Millions of Dollars, Except As Noted)                                    ----       ----       ----
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

  Operating Revenue                                      $2,705     $2,546     $3,482     $3,146     $2,998

  Pretax Operating Income                                $  408     $  351     $  439     $  231     $  261

  Net income (loss)                                      $  148     $  128     $  155     $ (297)    $ (276)(a)

  Earnings (loss) per average common share               $ 1.73     $ 1.60     $ 1.90     $(3.72)    $(3.44)(a)

  Average common shares outstanding (in thousands)       85,742     80,097     81,251     79,877     79,988

  Cash dividends declared per common share               $  .57     $  .42     $  .60     $  .48     $  .48
                                                         ------     ------     ------     ------     ------


BALANCE SHEET DATA:

  Net plant and property                                 $4,752     $4,495     $4,583     $4,326     $4,121

  Total assets                                           $7,161     $7,035     $6,964     $6,848     $6,194

  Long-term debt, excluding current maturities           $2,378     $2,621     $2,405     $2,725     $1,941

  Notes payable                                          $  401     $  564     $  259     $  215     $  708

  Other liabilities                                      $3,224     $3,309     $3,315     $3,135     $2,962
                                                         ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

  Common stockholders' equity                            $1,085     $  830     $  966     $  727     $1,060
                                                         ======     ======     ======     ======     ======
</TABLE>

  (a)  Includes an extraordinary loss of $14 million, after tax or $.18 per
       average common share.





                                      -62-
<PAGE>   93

                                   CMS ENERGY
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


      The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements
reflect adjustments to the capital structure of CMS Energy upon approval of the
Class G Common Stock proposal and the subsequent issuance and sale of 5 million
shares of Class G Common Stock and the use of the net proceeds to repay a
portion of the debt of CMS Energy.  The pro forma statements of income give
effect to such transactions as if they occurred on January 1, 1993.  The pro
forma balance sheet gives effect to such transactions as if they had occurred
on September 30, 1994.

      The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements
should be read in conjunction with CMS Energy's Consolidated Financial
Statements and "CMS Energy--Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" contained elsewhere herein.  The unaudited
pro forma condensed financial statements are not necessarily indicative of
results that would have occurred if the transactions described above occurred
or of the financial condition or results of CMS Energy for any future date or
period.





                                      -63-
<PAGE>   94

                                   CMS ENERGY
            UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1994


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In Millions                                                           Historical   Adjustments     Pro Forma
                                                                      ----------   -----------     ---------
<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>
Assets

Plant and property                                                       $8,717                      $8,717
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization                 4,244                       4,244
                                                                         ------                      ------

                                                                          4,473                       4,473
Construction work-in-progress                                               279                         279
                                                                         ------                      ------

Net plant                                                                 4,752                       4,752
Investments                                                                 468                         468
Current assets                                                              670                         670
Non-current assets                                                        1,271                       1,271
                                                                         ------                      ------

Total Assets                                                             $7,161                      $7,161
                                                                         ======                      ======


Stockholders' Investment and Liabilities

Common stockholders' equity                                              $1,085        $  100 (a)    $1,185
Preferred stock of subsidiary                                               356                         356
Long-term debt                                                            2,378          (100)(b)     2,278
Non-current portion of capital leases                                       118                         118
                                                                         ------                      ------

Total capitalization                                                      3,937             -         3,937
Current liabilities                                                       1,275                       1,275
Non-current liabilities                                                   1,949                       1,949
                                                                         ------                      ------

Total Stockholders' Investment and Liabilities                           $7,161             -        $7,161
                                                                         ======                      ======
</TABLE>


(a) Reflects the issuance and sale of 5 million shares of Class G Common Stock,
    representing 20% of the equity attributable to the Consumers Gas Group.

(b) Reflects the use of the net proceeds of $100 million to repay a portion of
    the long-term debt of CMS Energy.





                                      -64-
<PAGE>   95
                                   CMS ENERGY
        UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In Millions,                       Nine Months Ended September 30, 1994       Year Ended December 31, 1993
                                   ------------------------------------   ------------------------------------
Except Per Share Amounts           Historical  Adjustments    Pro Forma   Historical  Adjustments    Pro Forma
                                   ----------  -----------    ---------   ----------  -----------    --------- 
<S>                                   <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Operating revenue                     $2,705                    $2,705       $3,482                    $3,482
Operating expenses                     2,297                     2,297        3,043                     3,043
                                      ------                    ------       ------                    ------

Pretax operating income (loss)
  Electric utility                       281                       281          286                       286
  Gas utility                            106                       106          147                       147
  Oil and gas exploration
   and production                         11                        11            3                         3
  Independent power production            12                        12            5                         5
  Natural gas pipeline, storage
   and marketing                           8                         8            7                         7
  Other                                  (10)                      (10)          (9)                       (9)
                                      ------                    ------       ------                    ------ 

Total pretax operating income            408                       408          439                       439
Income taxes                              97       $    2 (a)       99           81       $    3 (a)       84
                                      ------       ---------    ------       ------       ---------    ------

Net operating income                     311           (2)         309          358           (3)         355
Other income (deductions)                  1                         1           31                        31
Fixed charges                            164       $   (7)(b)      157          234           (9)(b)      225
                                      ------       ---------    ------       ------       ---------    ------

Net income                            $  148       $    5 (c)   $  153       $  155       $    6 (c)   $  161
                                      ======       =========    ======       ======       =========    ======

Net income available to
 CMS Energy shareholder               $  148       $    5 (c)   $  144       $  155       $    6 (c)   $  148
                                                       (9)(d)                                (13)(d)         
                                      ======       =========    ======       ======       =========    ======

Net income available to
 Class G shareholder                       -       $    9 (e)   $    9            -       $   13 (e)   $   13
                                      ======       =========    ======       ======       =========    ======

Average common shares outstanding
  CMS Energy stock                        86            -           86           81            -           81
                                      ======       =========    ======       ======       =========    ======
  Class G stock                            -            5 (f)        5            -            5 (f)        5
                                      ======       =========    ======       ======       =========    ======

Earnings per average common share
  CMS Energy stock                    $ 1.73       $ (.07)(g)   $ 1.66       $ 1.90       $ (.07)(g)   $ 1.83
                                      ======       =========    ======       ======       =========    ======
  Class G stock                            -       $ 1.80 (e)   $ 1.80            -       $ 2.60 (e)   $ 2.60
                                      ======       =========    ======       ======       =========    ======

Dividends declared per common share
  CMS Energy stock (h)                $  .57            -       $  .57       $  .60            -       $  .60
                                      ======       =========    ======       ======        ========    ======
</TABLE>


(a) Assumes income taxes for the item discussed in (b) below, which were
    computed based upon the U.S. statutory tax rate.

(b) Assumes reduction in interest expense as a result of the reduction in a
    portion of CMS Energy debt outstanding with the net proceeds from the
    issuance and sale of Class G Common Stock, assuming a 9% interest rate.

(c) Assumes the increase in net income from items (a) and (b) above.

(d) Assumes the net income available to the holders of Class G Common Stock.

(e) Assumes the rights to 20% of the earnings of the Consumers Gas Group.

(f) Assumes the issuance and sale of 5 million shares of Class G Common Stock
    on January 1, 1993.

(g) Assumes the per share impact on CMS Energy Common Stock of items (c) and
    (d) above.

(h) CMS Energy Common Stock annual dividend was raised to $.84 per share ($.21
    quarterly) to be effective with the third quarter 1994 dividend.

                                      -65-
<PAGE>   96

                                   CMS ENERGY
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

         CMS Energy is the parent holding company of Consumers and Enterprises.
Consumers, a combination electric and gas utility company serving most of the
Lower Peninsula of Michigan, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy.
Consumers' customer base includes a mix of residential, commercial and
diversified industrial customers, the largest of which is the automotive
industry.  Enterprises is engaged in several non-utility energy-related
businesses including:  1) oil and gas exploration and production, 2)
development and operation of independent power production facilities, 3) gas
marketing services to end-users, and 4) storage and transmission of natural
gas.

         In September 1994, management announced that Consumers is being
internally reorganized into separate electric utility and gas utility strategic
business units.  The restructuring, effective January 1, 1995, while not
affecting Consumers' or CMS Energy's consolidated financial statements or
corporate legal form, is designed to sharpen management focus, improve
efficiency and accountability in both business segments and better position
Consumers for growth in the gas market and to meet increased competition in the
electric power market.  Management believes that the strategic business unit
structure will allow each unit to focus more on its own profitability and
growth potential, and will ultimately, in the long term, result in lower
overall costs.

CMS ENERGY STOCK PROPOSAL

         CMS Energy is seeking shareholder approval to amend its Articles of
Incorporation and authorize a new class of Common Stock of CMS Energy.  This
proposed new class of Common Stock, designated Class G Common Stock, is
intended to, and, if and after any shares of Class G Common Stock are issued,
will, reflect the separate performance of the gas distribution, storage and
transportation businesses conducted by Consumers and Michigan Gas Storage (such
businesses, collectively, will be attributed to the Consumers Gas Group).  The
existing CMS Energy Common Stock will continue to be outstanding and, if and
after any shares of Class G Common Stock are issued by CMS Energy, will be
intended to reflect the performance of all of the businesses of CMS Energy and
its subsidiaries, including the business of the Consumers Gas Group, except for
the interest in the Consumers Gas Group attributable to the outstanding shares
of the Class G Common Stock.

         If the shareholders of CMS Energy approve the proposed amendment to
the Articles of Incorporation, CMS Energy may, subject to prevailing market and
other conditions, offer shares of Class G Common Stock for sale for cash in the
Offering.  The net proceeds of such Offering would be invested in the
businesses and used for general corporate purposes of CMS Energy.  Initially,
such net proceeds would be used to repay a portion of the debt of CMS Energy
(none of which is attributed to the Consumers Gas Group).  Shares of Class G
Common Stock intended to represent approximately ___ percent of the common
stockholders' equity value attributed to the Consumers Gas Group are being
offered in the Offering.  Additional authorized shares of Class G Common Stock
could be offered by CMS Energy in the future at the discretion of the Board of
Directors and without further shareholder approval.

         Although the financial statements of Consumers Gas Group separately
report the assets, liabilities and stockholders' equity attributed to the
Consumers Gas Group, legal title to such assets and the responsibility for such
liabilities are not separately identifiable to a specific class of common
stock.





                                      -66-
<PAGE>   97

         Dividends on the Class G Common Stock will be paid at the discretion
of the Board of Directors based primarily upon the earnings and financial
condition of the Consumers Gas Group, and, to a lesser extent, CMS Energy as a
whole.  Dividends will be payable out of the lesser of (i) the assets of CMS
Energy legally available therefore and (ii) the Available Class G Dividend
Amount.

         Dividends with respect to the Class G Common Stock are expected to be
paid commensurate with dividend practices of comparable publicly-held local
natural gas distribution companies generally.  Management believes that such
practices currently are to pay out from 70 percent to 85 percent of annual
earnings available for dividends on common stock.

         CMS Energy, in the sole discretion of its Board of Directors, could
pay dividends exclusively to the holders of CMS Energy Common Stock,
exclusively to the holders of Class G Common Stock, or to the holders of both
of such classes in equal or unequal amounts.  It is the Board of Directors'
current intention that the declaration or payment of dividends with respect to
the Class G Common Stock shall not be reduced, suspended or eliminated as a
result of factors arising out of or relating to the electric utility business
on the non-utility businesses of CMS Energy unless such factors also require,
in the Board of Directors' sole discretion, the omission of the declaration or
reduction in payment of dividends on both the CMS Energy Common Stock and the
Class A Common Stock.

         In May 1994, the Board of Directors of CMS Energy approved a 17
percent increase in the CMS Energy Common Stock dividend, raising the annual
rate to $.84 per share from $.72 per share.  The increase was effective with
the dividend payment in August 1994.

         For further information regarding the CMS Energy stock proposal,
including additional dividend information, voting, liquidation and potential
tax issues, see Notes 2, 8 and 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements of CMS Energy (hereinafter referred to as the "CMS Energy Notes").

CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 AND 1993

         Consolidated net income totaled $148 million or $1.73 per share for
the nine months ended September 30, 1994, compared to $128 million or $1.60 per
share for the nine months ended September 30, 1993.  The increased net income
reflects increased electric utility sales resulting from increased motor
vehicle production, increased levels of employment and the overall strong
economic expansion in Consumers' service territory.  Also, the increased net
income reflects increased gas utility deliveries due largely to record cold
winter weather.  Furthermore, net income benefited from a mid-May 1994 electric
rate increase and additional earnings from the growth of non-utility
businesses.

CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1992 AND 1991

         Consolidated net income for 1993 totaled $155 million or $1.90 per
share, compared to net losses of $297 million or $3.72 per share in 1992 and
$276 million or $3.44 per share in 1991.  The increased net income reflects the
Settlement Order related to power purchases from the MCV Partnership.  Earnings
also reflect record-setting utility electric sales and gas deliveries and
additional earnings from the growth of non-utility businesses.

CASH POSITION, FINANCING AND INVESTING

         CMS Energy's primary ongoing source of operating cash is dividends
from its principal subsidiaries.  Consumers effected a quasi-reorganization as
of December 31, 1992, which allowed it to resume paying common dividends (see
Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  Common dividends paid in
1993 totaled $133 million.  In 1994, Consumers paid an additional common
dividend of $16 million during the first quarter of 1994 from 1993 earnings and
$97 million attributable to current year earnings through





                                      -67-
<PAGE>   98

September 30, 1994.  In October 1994, Consumers declared a $36 million common
stock dividend payable in November, 1994.  In 1993, CMS Energy also received
cash dividends of $11 million from its non-utility subsidiaries.  CMS Energy
paid $49 million in cash dividends to common shareholders compared to $38
million in 1992.  The $11 million increase reflects an annual increase of $.24
per share commencing third quarter 1993.

         CMS Energy's consolidated operating cash requirements are met by its
operating and financing activities.  In 1993 and 1992, CMS Energy's
consolidated cash inflow from operations was derived mainly from Consumers'
sale and transportation of natural gas and its generation, sale and
transmission of electricity, and from CMS NOMECO Oil & Gas Co.'s, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Enterprises ("NOMECO"), sale of oil and natural gas.
Consolidated cash from operations for 1993 primarily reflects Consumers'
increased electric sales and gas deliveries and reduced after-tax cash
shortfalls resulting from Consumers' purchases of power from the MCV
Partnership.  Consolidated cash from operations for the first nine months of
1994 primarily reflects the benefits of Consumers' increased electric sales and
significantly higher gas deliveries.

         During 1992, CMS Energy's cash from operations decreased as compared
to 1991 primarily due to higher operational expenditures and reduced electric
rates.  In 1991, CMS Energy generated cash primarily from its consolidated
operating and investing activities, including $859 million of net proceeds from
the sale of a majority of the leverage-lease financing of the MCV Facility, and
tax-exempt pollution control revenue bonds ("PCRBs," and collectively, the "MCV
Bonds").

         Over the last three years, CMS Energy has used its consolidated cash
to fund its extensive utility construction expenditures, to improve the
reliability of its utility transmission and distribution systems and to expand
its non-utility businesses.  It also has used its cash to retire portions of
long-term securities and to pay cash dividends.

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

         In October 1993, CMS Energy issued 4.6 million shares of common stock
at a price of $26 5/8.  The net proceeds of $119 million were used to reduce
existing debt and for general corporate purposes.  During 1993, Consumers
significantly reduced its future interest charges by retiring approximately $51
million of high-cost outstanding debt and refinancing approximately $573
million of other debt at lower interest rates.

         In January 1994, CMS Energy filed a shelf registration statement with
the Commission permitting the issuance and sale of up to $250 million of GTNs.
The net proceeds are being used to reduce the amount of Series B Notes
outstanding and for general corporate purposes.  As of November 4, 1994, CMS
Energy had issued approximately $80 million of GTNs with interest rates ranging
from 6.75 to 7.75 percent and reduced the principal amount of Series B Notes
outstanding by $95 million.

         On July 29, 1994, CMS Energy refinanced its $220 million Secured
Credit Facility, entered into in November 1992 (the "Secured Credit Facility"),
with a new $400 million Credit Facility and extended the termination date to
June 30, 1997.  At October 31, 1994, $129 million was outstanding at a weighted
average interest rate of 6.4 percent.  On October 6, 1994, CMS Energy filed a
shelf registration statement for the offering and issuance of up to two million
shares of CMS Common Stock.  As described in the Commission filing, the shares
may be offered and issued in connection with acquisitions of energy-related
businesses and assets.

         In March 1994, Consumers issued and sold 8 million shares of Class A
Preferred Stock (cumulative, without par value) with a stated annual dividend
rate of 8.32 percent.  Net proceeds of $193 million from





                                      -68-
<PAGE>   99

the sale are targeted for general corporate purposes, including debt retirement
and improvements to Consumers' distribution systems.

         During February and March 1994, Consumers continued to reduce its
future interest charges by retiring $100 million of high-cost first mortgage
bonds.  In November 1993, NOMECO amended the terms of its loan agreement and
increased the amount to $110 million.  For further information, see Note 8 of
CMS Energy Notes.

         In November 1994, Consumers entered into a new $400 million unsecured,
variable rate, five-year term loan and subsequently used the proceeds to
refinance its long-term credit agreement (see Note 8) and to reduce short-term
borrowings.

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

         Capital expenditures (excluding assets placed under capital lease),
deferred demand-side management ("DSM") costs and investments in unconsolidated
subsidiaries totaled $708 million, $525 million, $460 million and $502 million
in 1993, 1992, and the first nine months of 1994 and 1993, respectively.  CMS
Energy's expenditures in 1993 for its utility, independent power production,
oil and gas exploration and production, and gas transmission and marketing
business segments were $503 million, $110 million, $81 million and $14 million,
respectively and $318 million and $142 million for the first nine months of
1994 for its utility and non-utility businesses, respectively.

         In December 1993, Consumers sold $309 million of MCV Bonds it held and
used the net proceeds to temporarily reduce short-term borrowings and
ultimately plans to reduce long-term debt and to finance its construction
program.

OUTLOOK

         CMS Energy estimates that capital expenditures, including DSM and new
lease commitments, will total approximately $2.2 billion for the years 1994
through 1996.  Cash generated by operations is expected to satisfy a
substantial portion of capital expenditures.  Additionally, CMS Energy will
continue to evaluate capital markets in 1994 and 1995 as a potential source of
financing its subsidiaries' investing activities.  The following estimates for
electric and gas utility reflect Consumers' current outage schedules for its
nuclear plants and construction expenditures to be included in its electric and
gas rate requests which are expected to be filed with the MPSC in late 1994.
For independent power production, and oil and gas exploration and production,
the following estimates for 1994 include acquisition costs relating to
HYDRA-CO, an independent power production subsidiary of Niagara Mohawk Power
Corporation ("HYDRA-CO") and the contemplated acquisition of Walter
International, Inc., a Texas corporation ("Walter"), respectively.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   In Millions
Years Ended December 31                                                1994             1995              1996
                                                                       ----             ----              ----
<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>               <C>
Electric utility                                                      $ 347            $ 333             $ 255
Gas utility                                                             132              125               115
Oil and gas exploration and production                                  162               85               100
Independent power production                                            186              166               146
Natural gas pipeline, storage and marketing                              36               24                29
                                                                      -----            -----             -----

                                                                      $ 863            $ 733             $ 645
                                                                      =====            =====             =====
</TABLE>

        CMS Energy is required to redeem or retire approximately $796 million
of long-term debt during 1994 through 1996.  Cash generated by operations is
expected to satisfy a substantial portion of these capital





                                      -69-
<PAGE>   100

expenditures and debt retirements.  Additionally, CMS Energy will evaluate the
capital markets in 1994 as a source of financing its subsidiaries' investing
activities.

        Consumers' short-term sources of credit include a $470 million working
capital facility and unsecured, committed lines of credit totaling $185
million.  At September 30, 1994, Consumers had $300 million and $101 million,
respectively, outstanding under these facilities.  Consumers has also received
FERC authorization to issue or guarantee up to $900 million in short-term debt
through December 31, 1996.  This is the same amount of short-term debt
authorized through 1994.  Consumers uses short-term borrowings to finance
working capital, seasonal fuel inventory and to pay for capital expenditures
between long-term financings.  Consumers has an agreement permitting the sales
of certain accounts receivable for up to $500 million.  At September 30, 1994,
receivables sold totaled $210 million as compared to $285 million at December
31, 1993.


ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATIONS

COMPARATIVE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        ELECTRIC PRETAX OPERATING INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1994 AND 1993:  The $50 million improvement in 1994 electric pretax
operating income compared to 1993 primarily is the result of increased electric
system sales due in large part to Michigan's increased levels of employment and
overall economic expansion and the May 1994 electric rate increase.  Also,
during the second quarter of 1994, Consumers recognized $11 million in revenue,
related to DSM, based on having achieved all objectives agreed upon with the
MPSC (see Note 5 of CMS Energy Notes).

        ELECTRIC PRETAX OPERATING INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993,
1992, AND 1991:  The improvement in 1993 pretax operating income compared to
1992 reflects an increase of $126 million relating to the resolution of the
recoverability of Midland Cogeneration Venture ("MCV") power purchase costs
under the PPA and increased electric system sales of $45 million, partially
offset by higher costs to improve system reliability.  The 1992 decrease of $66
million from the 1991 level primarily resulted from an increased emphasis on
system reliability improvements and decreased electric rates resulting from the
full-year impact of a mid-1991 rate decrease.

        The following table quantifies the impact of the major reasons for the
changes in electric pretax operating income for the nine months ended September
30, 1994 and 1993, and for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991:





                                      -70-
<PAGE>   101

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 In Millions
                                                                           Impact on Pretax Operating Income
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Nine months ended            Year ended             Year ended
                                                  1994 compared         1993 compared          1992 compared
                                                        to 1993               to 1992                to 1991
                                          ---------------------        --------------          -------------
<S>                                                        <C>                   <C>                    <C>
Sales                                                      $ 31                  $ 45                   $ (5)
Resolution of MCV power cost issues                           -                   126                      -
Rate increases and other regulatory issues                   29                     5                    (13)
O&M, general taxes and depreciation                         (10)                  (44)                   (48)
                                                           -----                  ----                  ----

Total Change                                               $ 50                  $132                   $(66)
                                                           ====                  ====                   ====
</TABLE>


        ELECTRIC SALES:  Electric system sales during the nine months ended
September 30, 1994 totaled 24.8 billion kilowatt-hours ("kWh"), a 4.8 percent
increase from 1993 levels.  During the nine month 1994 period, residential and
commercial sales increased 2.7 percent and 3.0 percent respectively, while
industrial sales increased 7.6 percent.

        Electric system sales in 1993 totaled a record 31.7 billion kWh, a 3.8
percent increase from 1992 levels.  In 1993, residential and commercial sales
increased 3.4 percent and 3.0 percent, respectively, while industrial sales
increased 6.5 percent.  Growth in the industrial sector was the strongest in
the auto-related segments of fabricated and primary metals and transportation
equipment.  Electric system sales in 1992 totaled 30.5 billion kWh, essentially
unchanged from the 1991 levels.

        The following table quantifies electric sales by customer type for the
nine months ended September 30, 1994 and 1993, and for the years ended December
31, 1993, 1992 and 1991:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             
                                                       
                                                                                             Millions of kWh
                                                                                                 Years Ended
                                                       Nine Months Ended     --------------------------------
                                                           September 30,                        December 31,
                                                           -------------                        ------------
                                                      1994          1993        1993        1992        1991
                                                      ----          ----        ----        ----        ----
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Residential                                          7,753         7,549      10,066       9,733       9,997
Commercial                                           6,920         6,718       8,909       8,652       8,692
Industrial                                           9,159         8,515      11,541      10,831      10,692
Sales for resale                                       964           869       1,142       1,292       1,311
                                                    ------        ------     -------     -------     -------

  System sales (a)                                  24,796        23,651      31,658      30,508      30,692
                                                    ======        ======      ======      ======      ======
</TABLE>

(a) Excludes intersystem exchanges of power with other utilities through joint
dispatching for the economic benefit of customers.

         POWER COSTS:   Power costs for the nine-month period ending September
30, 1994 totaled $723 million, a $50 million increase from the corresponding
1993 period.  Power costs for 1993 totaled $908 million, a $31 million increase
from the corresponding 1992 period.  This increase primarily reflects greater
power purchases from outside sources to meet increased sales demand and to
supplement decreased generation at Palisades due to an extended outage.  Power
costs for 1992 totaled $877 million, a $17 million decrease as compared to
1991.

         OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: Increases in other operation and
maintenance expense for 1993 and 1992 reflected increased expenditures to
improve electric system reliability.





                                      -71-
<PAGE>   102

         DEPRECIATION: The increased depreciation for 1993 reflects additional
capital investments in plant.  The 1992 increase resulted from higher
depreciation rates, increased amortization of abandoned nuclear investment and
increased nuclear plant decommissioning expense.

ELECTRIC UTILITY RATES

         POWER PURCHASES FROM THE MCV PARTNERSHIP:  Consumers' obligations for
purchase of contract capacity from the MCV Partnership under the PPA since 1992
follow:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      1995 and
Year                                                  1992             1993             1994        thereafter
- ----                                                  ----             ----             ----        ----------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>              <C>               <C>
MW                                                     915            1,023            1,132             1,240

</TABLE>
        Since 1990, recovering capacity and fixed-energy costs for power
purchased from the MCV Partnership has been a significant issue.  Effective
January 1, 1993, the Settlement Order allowed Consumers to recover from
electric retail customers substantially all of the payments for its ongoing
purchase of 915 MW of contract capacity from the MCV Partnership, significantly
reducing the amount of future underrecoveries for these power costs.  The
Association of Business Advocating Tariff Equity ("ABATE") and the Attorney
General have filed claims of appeal of the Settlement Order with the Court of
Appeals.

        Prior to the Settlement Order, Consumers had recorded losses for
underrecoveries from 1990 through 1992.  In December 1992, Consumers recognized
an after-tax loss of $343 million for the present value of estimated future
underrecoveries of power costs under the PPA as a result of the Settlement
Order, based on management's best estimates regarding the future availability
of the MCV Facility, and the effect of the future power market on the amount,
timing and price at which various increments of the capacity above the
MPSC-authorized level could be resold.  This loss included all fixed energy
amounts at issue in the arbitration proceedings discussed below.  Except for
adjustments to the above loss to reflect the after-tax time value of money
through accretion expense, no additional losses are expected unless actual
future experience materially differs from management's estimates.  The
after-tax expense for the time value of money for the $343 million loss is
estimated to be approximately $24 million in 1994, and various lower levels
thereafter, including $22 million in 1995 and $20 million in 1996.  Although
the settlement losses were recorded in 1992, Consumers continues to experience
cash underrecoveries associated with the Settlement Order.  These after-tax
cash underrecoveries were $59 million in 1993 and totaled $51 million for the
first nine months of 1994.  Consumers believes there is and will be a market
for the resale of capacity purchases from the MCV Partnership above the
MPSC-authorized level.  If Consumers is unable to sell any capacity above the
current MPSC-authorized level, future additional after-tax losses and after-tax
cash underrecoveries could be incurred.  Estimates for the next five years if
none of the additional capacity is sold are as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        After-tax, In Millions
                                                                1994      1995       1996      1997       1998
                                                                ----      ----       ----      ----       ----
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>
Expected cash underrecoveries                                    $65       $65        $62       $61        $ 8

Possible additional underrecoveries and losses (a)               $ 5       $20        $20       $22        $72
                                                                 ===       ===        ===       ===        ===

</TABLE>

(a) If unable to sell any capacity above the MPSC's authorized level.


        The PPA, while providing for payment of a fixed energy charge, contains
a "regulatory out" provision which permits Consumers to reduce the fixed energy
charges payable to the MCV Partnership throughout the entire contract term if
Consumers is not able to recover these amounts from its customers.





                                      -72-
<PAGE>   103

Consumers and the MCV Partnership have commenced arbitration proceedings under
the PPA to determine whether Consumers is entitled to exercise its regulatory
out regarding fixed energy charges on the portion of available MCV capacity
above the current MPSC-authorized levels.  An arbitrator acceptable to both
parties has been selected and hearings are being conducted.  If the arbitrator
determines that Consumers cannot exercise its regulatory out, Consumers would
be required to make these fixed energy payments to the MCV Partnership.  The
arbitration proceedings will also determine who is entitled to the fixed energy
amounts for which Consumers did not receive full cost recovery during the years
prior to settlement.  Although Consumers intends to aggressively pursue its
right to exercise the regulatory out, management cannot predict the outcome of
the arbitration proceedings or any possible settlement of the matter.
Accordingly, losses were recorded prior to 1993 for all fixed energy amounts at
issue in the arbitration.  At September 30, 1994, $25 million has been escrowed
by Consumers and is included as a non-current asset in Consumers' financial
statements.  In December 1993, Consumers made an irrevocable offer to pay
through September 15, 2007, fixed energy charges to the MCV Partnership on all
kWh delivered by the MCV Partnership to Consumers from the contract capacity in
excess of 915 MW, which represents a portion of the fixed energy charges in
dispute.  Consumers made the offer to facilitate the sale of the remaining MCV
Bonds in 1993.  See Note 19 of the CMS Energy Notes with regard to certain
subsequent developments.

        The lessors of the MCV Facility have filed a lawsuit in federal
district court against CMS Energy, Consumers and CMS Midland Holdings Company
("CMS Holdings"), a subsidiary of Midland Group, Ltd. ("MGL") (MGL is a
subsidiary of Consumers).  It alleges breach of contract, breach of fiduciary
duty and negligent or willful misrepresentation relating to the MCV
Partnership's failure to object to the Settlement Order in light of Consumers'
interpretation of the Settlement Order, which is the subject of an arbitration
between the MCV Partnership and Consumers.  The action alleges damages in
excess of $1 billion and seeks injunctive relief relative to Consumers'
payments of the fixed energy charge.  CMS Energy and Consumers believe that at
all times they and CMS Holdings have conducted themselves properly and that the
action is without merit.  It appears from the complaint that a significant
portion of the alleged damages represent fixed energy charges in dispute in the
arbitration.  CMS Energy and Consumers have requested that the lawsuit be
dismissed for lack of jurisdiction and have commenced a lawsuit in Midland,
Michigan, to address these issues.  While management believes that the
possibility of the alleged damages being awarded is remote, CMS Energy and
Consumers are unable to predict the outcome of this issue. In addition, CMS
Holdings has filed a lawsuit in a local circuit court seeking reimbursement of
$7 million of certain tax indemnification payments made to its partners in the
First Midland Limited Partnership ("FMLP") and owed to CMS Holdings.  Consumers
is unable to predict the outcome of this issue.

        In May 1994, Consumers was notified by the MCV that it was initiating
arbitration proceedings under the PPA to determine whether the energy charge
paid to the MCV is being properly calculated.  Consumers believes that its
calculation of the energy charge is correct.  The amount in dispute, which
relates to the period beginning in 1990 and continuing through the term of the
PPA, is estimated by the MCV Partnership to total $8 million annually.  The
parties are in the process of selecting an arbitrator and establishing a
schedule for arbitration.  Consumers cannot predict the timing and outcome of
these proceedings.  For further information regarding power purchases from the
MCV Partnership, see Note 4 of CMS Energy Notes.

        In July 1994, Consumers paid $30 million to terminate a power purchase
agreement with a 65 MW coal-fired cogeneration facility being developed by
Michigan Cogeneration Partners Limited Partnership ("Michigan Cogeneration
Partners").  Consumers plans to seek MPSC approval to substitute 65 MW of less
expensive contract capacity from the MCV Facility which Consumers is currently
not authorized to recover from retail customers.  For further information, see
Note 4 of CMS Energy Notes.

        PSCR ISSUES:  Consumers experienced an extended refueling and
maintenance outage at Palisades during 1993.  From mid-February through
mid-June 1994, Palisades was temporarily taken out of service





                                      -73-
<PAGE>   104

to repair valve-leakage and conduct other needed inspections and repairs.
Recovery of replacement power costs and the prudency of actions taken during
the outages will be reviewed by the MPSC during the 1993 and 1994 PSCR
reconciliations of actual costs and revenues.  On November 9, 1994, the
Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") presiding over the 1993 PSCR reconciliation
proceeding issued a proposal for decision that recommended a disallowance to
Consumers related to the Palisades outage of $4.2 million.  CMS Energy had
previously established a reserve for this potential disallowance.  For more
information on the potential impact of the outages, see Note 5 of CMS Energy
Notes.

        ELECTRIC RATE CASE:  In May 1994, the MPSC issued an order, granting
Consumers a $58 million annual increase in its retail electric rates effective
May 11, 1994.  The order provides Consumers with higher revenues associated
with increased expenditures primarily related to capital additions, operation
and maintenance, higher depreciation and postretirement benefits computed under
SFAS 106, Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other than
Pensions, and the continuation of certain demand-side management programs at
reduced levels.  The MPSC order generally supported Consumers' rate design
proposal and reduced the level of subsidization of residential customers by
commercial and industrial customers.  Consumers filed a request with the MPSC
on November 10, 1994, to increase its retail electric rates in a range from
$104.4 million to $139.5 million annually.  For further information, see Note 5
of CMS Energy Notes.

        SPECIAL RATES:  In June 1994, Consumers also filed a request with the
MPSC, seeking approval of a plan to offer competitive, special rates to certain
large qualifying customers.  Consumers proposes to offer the new rates to
customers using high amounts of electricity that have expressed an intention to
or are capable of terminating purchases of electricity from Consumers and have
the ability to acquire energy from alternative sources.  To serve these
customers, Consumers would use power purchases from the MCV Partnership which
exceed the 915 MW currently recoverable from electric retail customers.  The
MPSC has adopted a hearing schedule that calls for briefs to be filed in
December 1994.  A final order is expected in the first quarter of 1995.

ELECTRIC CONSERVATION EFFORTS

        In 1993, Consumers completed the customer participation portion of
several DSM programs designed to encourage the efficient use of energy.  Based
on the MPSC's determination of Consumers' effectiveness in implementing these
programs, Consumers' future rate of return on electric common equity may be
adjusted for one year either upward by up to 1 percent or downward by up to 2
percent.  The proceedings before the MPSC have started and based on the
criteria set out in the demand-side management settlement agreement approved by
the MPSC in 1992, Consumers has achieved all the agreed-upon objectives.
Consumers believes that the MPSC will ultimately allow collection of the full
$11 million incentive.  Accordingly, during the second quarter of 1994,
Consumers recognized $11 million in revenue, related to its demand-side
management program.  A final order from the MPSC is expected by mid-1995.  In
May 1994, as part of Consumers' electric rate case, the MPSC issued an order
that authorized Consumers to continue certain demand-side management programs
at reduced levels.  For further information, see Note 5 of CMS Energy Notes.

ELECTRIC ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

        The 1990 amendment of the federal Clean Air Act, as amended on November
15, 1990 (the "Clean Air Act"), significantly increased the environmental
constraints that utilities will operate under in the future.  While the Clean
Air Act's provisions will require Consumers to make certain capital
expenditures in order to comply with the amendments for nitrogen oxide
reductions, Consumers' generating units are presently operating at or near the
sulfur dioxide emission limits which will be effective in the year 2000.
Therefore, management believes that Consumers' annual operating costs will not
be materially affected.





                                      -74-
<PAGE>   105

        In 1990, the State of Michigan passed amendments to the Environmental
Response Act, under which Consumers expects that it will ultimately incur costs
at a number of sites, even those in which it has a partial or no current
ownership interest.  It is expected that in most cases parties other than
Consumers with current or former ownership interests may also be considered
liable under the law and may be required to share in the costs of any site
investigations and remedial actions.  Consumers believes costs incurred for
both investigation and any required remedial actions would be recoverable from
electric utility customers under established regulatory policies and
accordingly are not likely to materially affect its financial position or
results of operations.

        Consumers is a so-called "potentially responsible party" at several
sites being administered under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act ("Superfund").  Along with Consumers, there are
numerous credit-worthy, potentially responsible parties with substantial assets
cooperating with respect to the individual sites.  Based on current
information, management believes it is unlikely that Consumers' liability at
any of the known Superfund sites, individually or in total, will have a
material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.

        The United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") has asked a
number of utilities in the Great Lakes area to voluntarily retire certain
equipment containing specific levels of polychlorinated biphenyls.  While
Consumers believes that it is largely in compliance with the EPA's request, it
has agreed to a 10-year retirement period for certain equipment included in the
EPA's request.  Consumers does not anticipate that any additional costs will be
incurred as a result of this agreement.  For further information regarding
electric environmental matters, see Note 13 of CMS Energy Notes.

ELECTRIC OUTLOOK

        Consumers expects economic growth, competitive rates and other factors
to increase the demand for electricity within its service territory by
approximately 1.8 percent per year over the next five years.  For the near
term, Consumers currently plans a reserve margin of 20 percent and expects to
fill the additional capacity required through long- and short-term power
purchases.  Long-term purchased power will likely be obtained through a
competitive bidding solicitation process utilizing the framework established by
the MPSC in 1992.  Capacity from the MCV Facility above the levels authorized
by the MPSC may be offered by Consumers in connection with the solicitation.

        In late 1993, the NRC completed a review of Consumers' performance at
Palisades that showed a decline in performance.  To provide NRC senior
management with a more in-depth assessment of plant performance, the NRC
conducted a diagnostic evaluation inspection at Palisades.  The inspection
evaluated all aspects of nuclear plant operation and management.  The
inspection, completed in June 1994, found certain performance, operational and
management deficiencies at Palisades.  The NRC acknowledged that the new
Palisades senior management team, in place since early 1994, had recognized and
begun to address the problems at Palisades.  The NRC did not place Palisades on
either the NRC's "Troubled" or "Declining Performance" list.  In August 1994,
Consumers filed its response to the NRC's diagnostic evaluation report which
included both short- and long-term enhancements planned for Palisades to
improve performance.  Attaining and maintaining acceptable performance at
Palisades will require continuing performance improvements and additional
expenditures at the plant, which have been included in Consumers' total planned
level of expenditures.

        Consumers' on-site storage pool at Palisades is at capacity, and it is
unlikely that the United States Department of Energy ("DOE") will begin
accepting any spent nuclear fuel by the originally scheduled date in 1998.
Consumers is using NRC-approved dry casks, which are steel and concrete vaults,
for temporary on-site storage.  Several appeals relating to NRC approval of the
casks and Consumers' use of the casks are now pending at the U.S. Sixth Circuit
Court of Appeals where oral argument was held during October 1994.  If
Consumers is unable to continue to use the casks as planned, significant costs
could be incurred, including





                                      -75-
<PAGE>   106

replacement power costs during any resulting plant shutdown and costs to remove
the spent fuel from the dry casks.  If Consumers cannot store fuel on-site in
the dry casks, and if no off-site storage is available, Palisades could be
forced to cease operation as early as mid-1995, when all fuel must be
off-loaded for a ten-year inspection of the reactor vessel.  In order to
address concerns raised subsequent to the initial cask loading, Consumers and
the NRC analyzed the effects of seismic and other natural hazards on the
support pad on which the casks are placed, and concluded that the pad location
is acceptable to support the casks.  See Note 19 of CMS Energy Notes with
regard to certain subsequent developments.

        Consumers is required by NRC regulations to calculate and report to the
NRC, values relating to the continuing ability of the Palisades reactor vessel
to withstand postulated "pressurized thermal shock" events during its remaining
license life.  Preliminary analysis of more recent data from testing of similar
materials indicates that the Palisades reactor vessel could exceed, prior to
2004, a temperature screening criterion established in the regulations.
Consumers is continuing to analyze this data and will report its conclusions to
the NRC in late November.  Consumers is also continuing to analyze alternative
means to permit continued operation of Palisades to the end of its license life
in the year 2007.  Consumers cannot predict the outcome of these efforts.  For
further information regarding Palisades, see Note 3 of CMS Energy Notes.

        The staff of the Commission has questioned certain accounting practices
of the electric utility industry, including Consumers, regarding the
recognition, measurement and classification of decommissioning costs for
nuclear generating stations in the financial statements.  For further
information on nuclear decommissioning, see Note 3 of CMS Energy Notes.

        Consumers has experienced recent increases in complaints relating
primarily to the effect of so-called stray voltage on certain livestock.  A
complaint seeking certification as a class action suit was filed in 1993
against Consumers alleging significant damages, primarily related to certain
livestock.  Consumers believes the allegations to be without merit, and in
March 1994, the circuit judge hearing the complaint refused to grant class
action status to the suit.  This decision is being appealed by the plaintiffs,
and a number of individuals who would have been part of the class action have
refiled their claims as separate lawsuits.  At October 31, 1994, Consumers had
88 separate stray voltage lawsuits pending (see Note 13 of CMS Energy  Notes).

        Some of Consumers' larger industrial customers are exploring the
possibility, or have announced the intention, of constructing and operating
their own on-site generating facilities.  Certain other customers are also
considering municipalization options.  Consumers is actively working with these
customers to develop rate and service alternatives designed to compete with
these options.  Consumers has on file with the FERC two open access
interconnection tariffs which could have the effect of increasing competition
for wholesale customers.  As part of its most recent electric rate case, the
MPSC reduced the level of rate subsidization of residential customers by
commercial and industrial customers so as to further improve rate
competitiveness for its largest customers.  Consumers has also requested MPSC
authorization to offer special rates to attract industrial and commercial
customers into its service territory and to retain certain customers using high
amounts of electricity that have expressed an intention and have the ability to
acquire energy from other sources (see Note 5 of CMS Energy Notes).

        In April 1994, the MPSC approved a framework for a five-year
experimental retail wheeling program for Consumers and The Detroit Edison
Company ("Detroit Edison").  Under the experiment, up to 60 MW of Consumers'
additional load requirements could be met by retail wheeling.  Rates to be used
for the experiment have yet to be determined, and a final MPSC order on the
program is not expected until mid-1995.  Consumers does not expect this
experiment to have a material impact on its financial position or results of
operations.





                                      -76-
<PAGE>   107

        In July 1994, the FERC approved new 40-year licenses for 11 of
Consumers' hydroelectric plants, confirming planned environmental expenditures.
In issuing the licenses, the FERC approved, with modifications, a settlement
agreement signed by Consumers, the Attorney General, the DNR and other state
and federal officials.  The agreement requires Consumers to make payments and
investments which could total $30 million over the license periods for such
things as environmental safeguards and fishery habitat improvements.

GAS UTILITY OPERATIONS

        The Gas Distribution Business is subject to regulatory jurisdiction
with respect to utility rates.  The earnings of the Consumers Gas Group depend
substantially upon its ability to secure timely and appropriate rate relief for
the gas distribution business.  Also, a major factor affecting Consumers Gas
Group's results of operations is gas usage which is impacted by the weather,
particularly with respect to residential and commercial customers who use
natural gas for space heating and, to a lesser extent, industrial customers.

        GAS PRETAX OPERATING INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1994 AND 1993:  The $9 million improvement in 1994 gas pretax operating income
compared to 1993 reflects higher gas deliveries (both sales and transportation
volumes) and the favorable resolution of a previously recorded gas cost
contingency, partially offset by higher depreciation and gas operating costs
which include $7.5 million of SFAS 106 costs related to the gas settlement with
the MPSC (see Gas Utility Rates below).

        GAS PRETAX OPERATING INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993,
1992, AND 1991:  As summarized in the table below, for 1993, pretax operating
income increased $37 million compared to 1992.  This increase reflects higher
gas deliveries due to growth and colder temperatures, and more favorable
regulatory recovery of gas costs related to transportation deliveries.  During
1992, gas pretax operating income increased $45 million from the 1991 level,
essentially for many of the same reasons as the 1993 period.

The following table quantifies the impact of the major reasons for the changes
in gas pretax operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 1994 and
1993, and for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   In Millions
                                                                             Impact on Pretax Operating Income
                                                 -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Nine months ended          Year ended           Year ended
                                                        1994 compared       1993 compared        1992 compared
                                                              to 1993             to 1992              to 1991
                                                    -----------------       -------------        -------------
<S>                                                              <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Deliveries                                                        $12                 $17                  $20
Regulatory recovery of gas costs                                   14                  12                   48
O&M, general taxes and depreciation                               (14)                  8                  (23)
Other                                                              (3)                  1                    -
                                                                 ----                 ---                -----

Total Change                                                     $  9                 $38                  $45
                                                                 ====                 ===                  ===
</TABLE>

        GAS DELIVERIES:  For the nine months ended September 30, 1994, gas
sales and gas transported totaled 298 bcf, a 5.8 percent increase from the
corresponding 1993 level due largely to record cold winter weather.  For the
year ended December 31, 1993 gas sales and gas transported totaled 411 bcf, a
6.9 percent increase from the corresponding 1992 period.  This increase
occurred in both firm sales and transportation deliveries.  For the year ended
December 31, 1992, gas sales and gas transported totaled 384 bcf, a combined
6.1 percent increase from 1991 deliveries.





                                      -77-
<PAGE>   108

The following table quantifies gas deliveries for the nine months ended
September 30, 1994 and 1993, and for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1992
and 1991:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Nine months ended                         Years ended
                                                           September 30,                        December 31,
                                                     -------------------        ----------------------------
                                                      1994          1993        1993        1992        1991
                                                      ----          ----        ----        ----        ----
                                                                                 Bcf
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Gas Sales                                              173           165         245         234         222
Transportation deliveries                               52            50          71          66          62
Transportation for MCV                                  58            54          73          64          55
Off-system transportation
  service                                               15            13          22          20          23
                                                       ---           ---         ---         ---         ---

  Total deliveries                                     298           282         411         384         362
                                                       ===           ===         ===         ===         ===
</TABLE>

         COST OF GAS SOLD:    The cost of gas sold for the nine months ended
September 30, 1994 increased $2 million from the corresponding 1993 level.
This increase reflects higher deliveries partially offset by lower costs per
mcf.  The lower costs per mcf are due to more favorable gas contracts with
interstate suppliers, resulting from the impact of FERC Order 636, and the
termination and expiration of high-cost contracts with certain Michigan gas
producers.  The moderate increase of $5 million in cost of gas sold when
comparing years ended December 31, 1993 and 1992 resulted from the net impact
of higher deliveries partially offset by gas pipeline refunds and reduced gas
purchase costs.  The decrease in cost of gas sold comparing the years ended
December 31, 1992 and 1991 was $4 million.

GAS UTILITY RATES

         In July 1994, the MPSC approved an agreement previously reached
between the MPSC staff and Consumers, to charge $10 million of costs for
postretirement benefits computed under SFAS 106 against earnings over the last
six months of 1994.  This charge against earnings will partially offset costs
related to state property taxes which have been reduced. The agreement was
reached in response to an assertion by the MPSC staff that gas utility business
earnings for 1993 were in excess of the currently authorized level.  The
agreement also provides for an additional $4 million of 1995-related SFAS 106
costs to be charged against 1995 earnings instead of being deferred.  As part
of the agreement, Consumers committed to file a gas rate case before December
31, 1994, that will, among other things, incorporate cost increases, including
costs for postretirement benefits computed under SFAS 106, into its retail gas
rates.  A final order should be received approximately 9 to 12 months after the
request is filed.  No assurance can be given as to the level of rates which
will be authorized by the MPSC.  Consumers' gas distribution business is
currently authorized to earn a 13.25 percent rate of return on equity.
Consumers' most recent rate filing for its electric utility business resulted
in an approved rate of return on equity of 11.75 percent.  See Note 19 of CMS
Energy Notes with regard to certain subsequent developments.

         In gas rate cases the MPSC determines, among other things, an
appropriate capital structure, including equity, for the Gas Distribution
Business and approves a rate of return on such equity.  Because the Gas
Distribution Business is part of Consumers, it does not have its own capital
structure.  Accordingly, in the most recent gas rate case before the MPSC
relating to the Gas Distribution Business, the MPSC utilized Proxy Capital
Structure.  It is possible that in future gas rate cases, the MPSC may utilize
another method to determine the equity used for ratemaking purposes for the
Consumers Gas Group or otherwise arrive at a methodology different than the
Proxy Capital Structure.  The capital structure employed for ratemaking
purposes directly affects the overall rate of return of a rate regulated
enterprise.





                                      -78-
<PAGE>   109

         A dispute involving pricing under contracts Consumers had with eight
direct gas suppliers has been resolved.  The dispute revolved around whether
the price Consumers pays Trunkline for gas was the proper reference price for
these eight gas supply contracts.  Consumers and seven of the suppliers have
agreed to enter into new contracts, at negotiated rates, with initial terms
ranging from one to three years.  Consumers and the remaining supplier agreed
to terminate their existing contract.

         In 1992, the FERC issued Order 636, which made a number of significant
changes to the structure of the services provided by interstate natural gas
pipelines.  Consumers is a significant purchaser of gas from an interstate
pipeline (Trunkline) and is a major transportation customer of a number of
pipelines.  Through a settlement approved by the FERC and MPSC, Consumers will
be allowed recovery of costs incurred in connection with the Trunkline
restructuring.  The effect of the transition costs relating to Consumers'
agreements with ANR and Panhandle on Consumers is minimal.

         In July 1993, Michigan Gas Storage submitted a notice of rate change
with the FERC to revise its operation and maintenance expenses for 1993 and
update plant costs to reflect the addition of $27 million of new plant
additions in 1993 and began collecting the revised rates designed to provide
annual revenues of $22 million, subject to refund and a hearing in February
1994.  In June 1994, the FERC approved a stipulation and agreement in full
settlement of the rate proceeding, which provides Michigan Gas Storage with
estimated annual revenues of $20 million.  For further information regarding
gas utility rates, see Note 5 of CMS Energy Notes.

GAS ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

         Under Michigan's Environmental Response Act, Consumers expects that it
will ultimately incur clean-up costs at a number of sites, including some of
the 23 sites that formerly housed manufactured gas plant facilities, even those
in which it has a partial or no current ownership interest.  Parties other than
Consumers with current or former ownership interests may also be considered
liable for site investigations and remedial actions.

         Consumers has prepared plans for remedial investigation/feasibility
studies for several of these manufactured gas plant sites to define the nature
and extent of contamination at these sites and to determine which of several
possible remedial action alternatives, including no action, may be required
under the Environmental Response Act.  The DNR has approved two of three plans
for remedial investigation/feasibility studies submitted by Consumers and is
currently reviewing the third.

         The findings for the first remedial investigation indicate that the
expenditures for remedial action at this site are likely to be minimal.
However, Consumers does not believe that a single site is representative of all
of the sites.  Data available to Consumers and its continued internal review
have resulted in an estimate for all costs related to remedial action for all
23 sites of between $40 million and $140 million.  These estimates are based on
undiscounted 1994 costs.  At September 30, 1994, Consumers has accrued a
liability of $40 million, representing the minimum amount in the range.  Any
significant change in assumptions such as remediation technique, nature and
extent of contamination and regulatory requirements, could impact the estimate
of remedial costs for the sites.

         Consumers believes that remedial costs are recoverable in rates as the
MPSC in 1993 addressed the question of recovery of investigation and remedial
costs for another Michigan gas utility as part of a gas rate case.  In that
proceeding, the MPSC determined that prudent investigation and remedial costs
could be deferred and amortized over 10-year periods.  In order to be
recoverable in rates, prudent costs must be approved in a rate case.  Any costs
amortized in years prior to filing a rate case may not be recoverable.  The
MPSC stated that the length of the amortization period may be reviewed from
time to time, but any revisions would be prospective.  The order further
provided that the prudency review would include a review of the utility's
attempts to obtain reimbursement from others.  The MPSC has also approved
similar deferred





                                      -79-
<PAGE>   110

accounting requests by two other Michigan utilities relative to investigation
and remediation costs.  Accordingly, Consumers has recorded a regulatory asset
for the same amount as the accrued liability for anticipated recovery of these
investigation and remedial clean-up costs.  Consumers has initiated discussions
with certain insurance companies regarding coverage for some or all of the
costs which may be incurred for these sites.  Consumers plans to seek recovery
of remedial action costs in its gas rate case to be filed in 1994.


OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION

         PRETAX OPERATING INCOME:  Pretax operating income for the nine months
ended September 30, 1994 increased $3 million from September 30, 1993
reflecting the gain from assignment of a gas supply contract, higher gas sales
volumes and lower international write-offs, partially offset by lower average
market prices for oil and gas.

         1993 pretax operating income decreased $4 million from 1992, primarily
reflecting lower average market prices for oil and $10 million of international
write-offs, partially offset by higher gas and oil sales volumes and higher
average market prices for gas.  1992 pretax operating income decreased $7
million from 1991, primarily due to lower average market prices for oil,
partially offset by increased oil and gas sales volumes.

         CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:  In June 1994, NOMECO acquired for $22.5 million
a working interest in the Espinal block in Colombia, South America, from Sun
Company, Inc.  The block is operated by LASMO Oil (Colombia) Limited.  The
other interest holder is Empresa Colombiana de Peltroleos (Ecopetrol), the
Colombian State Oil Company.  The block which includes 250,000 acres is
currently producing 5,000 barrels of oil per day and is expected to exceed
8,500 barrels per day later this year.  NOMECO estimates the block to contain
at least 75 million barrels of proven oil reserves of which NOMECO's share is
nine million barrels, a 12.4 percent interest.

         In September 1994, a consortium in which NOMECO is a 29 percent
participant was awarded the right to enter in to an agreement with Maraven,
S.A., a unit of the Venezuelan state oil company to develop the Colon block in
the Maracaibo basin of western Venezuela.  The consortium will spend at least
$160 million over the next three years in a development program involving
reworking, re-equipping and re-entering wells, and drilling new wells to
optimize production from existing proved reserves and to develop additional
probable and possible reserves.  Total production from block is expected to
exceed 30,000 barrels per day by 1997.

         During 1993, CMS Energy's oil and gas exploration and production
capital expenditures were $81 million.  Most expenditures were made to develop
existing proven reserves -- oil reserves in Ecuador which will start production
in 1994 and Antrim Shale gas in northern Michigan.

         The 1994 capital expenditures also reflect pipeline and road
construction and development drilling in Ecuador. Production commenced in June
1994 and is now averaging 23,000 barrels of oil per day from block 16 and the
adjoining Tivacuno block.  Because of pipeline capacity constraints production
proration is in effect, and the blocks are currently officially allocated
approximately 12,000 barrels per day of pipeline capacity; however, because of
under utilization of pipeline capacity by other producers, production has
remained at 23,000 barrels per day and is not expected to drop below that
volume.  Further, the Ministry of Energy and Mines in Ecuador has recently
informed NOMECO and other consortium members that the Ministry will seek to
renegotiate the Service Contract dated January 27, 1986 (the "Risk Service
Contract") for Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbons and Block No. 16 of
the Ecuadorian Amazon Region and other contracts governing the project.  NOMECO
cannot predict the outcome of these negotiations.  NOMECO holds a 14% working
interest in block 16 and the Tivacuno block.





                                      -80-
<PAGE>   111


         CMS Energy currently plans to invest $347 million for the years 1994
through 1996 in its oil and gas exploration and production operations.  These
anticipated capital expenditures primarily reflect continued development of
Ecuador and Colombia oil, Michigan Antrim gas and further reserve acquisition.


INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCTION

PRETAX OPERATING INCOME

         Pretax operating income increased $7 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1994 over the comparable 1993 period.  This increase reflects
increases in subsidiary earnings and the addition of new electric generating
capacity.

1993 pretax operating income increased $21 million, primarily reflecting the
addition of new electric generating capacity and improved equity earnings and
operating efficiencies.  CMS Energy's ownership share of sales and revenues
increased 24 percent and 18 percent, respectively, over the prior year.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

         CMS Energy continued expansion of its independent power production
segment during the first nine months of 1994.  In January, S.T./CMS Electric
Co., an affiliate of CMS Generation Co. ("CMS Generation," a subsidiary of
Enterprises), entered into a definitive agreement with the Tamil Nadu State
Electric Board in India to supply 250 MW of electric capacity and energy from a
lignite-fired plant to be built in Neyveli, India.  Construction of the $450
million plant is currently scheduled to begin in early 1995 with commercial
operation scheduled in 1998.  CMS Generation will be the project manager and
plant operator and will hold a 40 percent ownership interest.

         In March 1994, Genesee Power Station Limited Partnership ("GPSLP"), an
unconsolidated affiliate of CMS Generation, obtained financing for the Genesee
Power Station principally with the issuance and sale of $72 million of Michigan
Strategic Fund Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Refunding Bonds (Genesee Power
Station Project) Series 1994.  CMS Generation has a 50 percent ownership
interest in GPSLP.  In April 1994, construction began on the 35 MW waste
wood-fueled power plant near Flint, Michigan.  Completion of the project is
scheduled for Spring 1996 with an estimated cost of $94 million.

         In May 1994, CMS Generation acquired a 25 percent ownership interest
in a 235 MW mixed fuel independent power generation project to be built in
Jegurupadu, Andhra Pradesh, India.  CMS Generation will provide project
management services and will be the operator of the plant.  The Andhra Pradesh
State Electricity Board has signed a 30 year contract for the purchase of the
plant's entire electric output.  Construction of the natural gas and
naptha-fueled combined-cycle project is currently expected to begin in early
1995, with completion scheduled by early 1997.  The project is estimated to
cost $300 million.

         Also in May 1994, CMS Generation announced it had acquired a 25
percent ownership interest in Magellan Utility Development Corporation, which
is developing a 300 MW coal-fired power project at Pinamucan in Batangas
Province, the Philippines.  CMS Generation will be the project manager and
plant operator.  Magellan Utility Development Corporation has signed a 25-year
power purchase agreement with the Manila Electric Company, the largest private
electric utility in the Philippines, for the plant's entire electric output.
Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in early 1995.  The plant is
scheduled to be completed by year-end 1997 at a cost of $300 million.  The
project has the potential to be expanded to 600 MW.

         In June 1994, CMS Generation acquired a 41 percent ownership interest
in the Centrales Termicas Mendoza electric generating plant in western
Argentina's Mendoza Province.  CMS Generation is the lead





                                      -81-
<PAGE>   112

developer and will become the plant operator.  With major retrofitting and
maintenance, this facility has the potential to produce 382 MW of generating
capacity from oil and natural gas and currently sells 135 MW of capacity on the
Argentine wholesale electric market.  Takeover of the plant occurred on
November 1, 1994.

         In October 1994, CMS Generation entered into an agreement with Niagara
Mohawk Power Corporation for the acquisition of HYDRA-CO.  HYDRA-CO holds
ownership in six major operating electric generating facilities and a number of
smaller plants totaling 835 MW of gross capacity and 285 MW of net capacity.
HYDRA-CO's plants are fueled by coal, natural gas, waste wood and water
(hydro).  CMS Generation will acquire 100 percent of HYDRA-CO's stock for cash
using a combination of equity and bank or capital market financing.  The
purchase price is between $200 and $215 million, including approximately $50
million of current assets.  See Note 19 of CMS Energy Notes.

         CMS Generation holds a 32.5 percent ownership interest in Toledo Power
Company which acquired two operating power plants totaling 135 MW of generating
capacity located on the island of Cebu in the Philippines.  CMS Generation is
the plant operator of a consortium which purchased the plants, and has become
the operator of the 93 MW coal- and oil-fueled Sangi station and the 42 MW
oil-fired Carmen station.

         In 1993, capital expenditures were $110 million, including investments
in unconsolidated subsidiaries.  These expenditures were primarily used to
obtain ownership interests in an additional 309 MW of owned operating capacity
or a 40 percent increase from December 31, 1992.

         In April 1993, CMS Generation acquired a 50 percent interest in the
Lyonsdale cogeneration plant, a 19 MW power plant in upstate New York.  CMS
Generation has invested $9 million in the project and additional investments
relating to this project are expected to be immaterial.

         In May 1993, a consortium including CMS Generation purchased an 88
percent share in the 650 MW San Nicolas power plant near Buenos Aires,
Argentina.  As of December 31, 1993, CMS Generation's share of the consortium
is 18.6 percent and it has provided notice to exercise its option to increase
its share to 21 percent.  The plant sells power under long-term contracts to
two utilities and Argentina's electric grid system.  CMS Generation has
invested $21 million in the partnership through December 31, 1993 and plans to
invest approximately $3 million in 1994 in exercising its option.

         In June 1993, CMS Generation was involved in the formation of Scudder
Latin American Trust for Independent Power as a lead partner.  The fund, which
has investment commitments of $25 million from each of the four lead partners,
will invest in electric generation and infrastructure resulting from the
development of new power generating capacity.  CMS Generation has contributed
$.5 million through December 31, 1993 and estimates contributions of up to $11
million in 1994.

         In July 1993, an investment company including CMS Generation S. A.
acquired the rights to a 59 percent ownership interest in two hydroelectric
power plants on the Limay River in western Argentina.  These plants have a
total generating capacity of 1,320 MW.  The remaining interest in the project
is to be held 39 percent by the Argentine provincial government and 2 percent
by the plant employees.  CMS Generation S.A., a subsidiary of CMS Generation
("CMS Generation S.A."), has a 25 percent ownership interest in the investment
company.  The investment company secured a 30-year concession under a
government privatization program and in August 1993, began operating these
power plants.  CMS Generation S.A. entered into letter of credit agreements to
support the acquisition.  As of December 31, 1993, CMS Energy had approximately
$41 million of guarantees relating to this agreement which were reduced to less
than $15 million in January 1994.  CMS Generation has invested $64 million in
equity and loans and plans to invest up to an additional $2 million in 1994.





                                      -82-
<PAGE>   113

         CMS Generation has a 50 percent ownership interest and has invested,
through The Oxford Energy Company ("Oxford")/CMS Development Limited
Partnership, $7 million in the Exeter waste tire-fueled/electric generation
facility near Sterling, Connecticut.  Based on a financial restructuring
completed in 1993, CMS Generation may be obligated to invest up to an
additional $2 million.  The 26.5 MW Exeter facility has a capacity of
processing 10 million waste tires per year and sells its capacity and energy to
Connecticut Light and Power Company under a long-term agreement.

         Effective November 1, 1993, CMS Generation acquired a 50 percent
ownership interest in an 18 MW wood waste-fueled electric generation facility
located near Chateaugay, New York for approximately $5 million and became the
operator March 1, 1994.  The facility sells its entire electric output to New
York State Electric and Gas Corporation under a long-term power purchase
agreement.  CMS Generation expects no additional investment relating to this
project.

         CMS Energy currently plans to invest $498 million relating to its
independent power production operations for the years 1994 through 1996,
primarily in domestic and international subsidiaries and partnerships.  CMS
Generation is involved with partnerships that have signed power contracts to
construct power plant facilities capable of producing a total of 885 MW of
operating capacity in Michigan, Tamil Nadu, India, and two projects in
Batangas, Philippines.  CMS Generation will also pursue acquisitions in Latin
America, southern Asia and the Pacific Rim region.


NATURAL GAS PIPELINE, STORAGE AND MARKETING

PRETAX OPERATING INCOME

         Pretax operating income increased $2 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1994 compared to the comparable 1993 period, reflecting earnings
growth from gas pipeline and storage projects and gas marketed to end-users.

         1993 pretax operating income increased $2 million over 1992,
reflecting earnings growth from existing and new gas transportation projects
and increased natural gas marketed.  In 1993, 60 bcf was marketed compared to
45 bcf in 1992.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

         CMS Energy continued its expansion of its natural gas pipeline,
storage and marketing segment during 1994.  In the first quarter of 1994 CMS
Gas Transmission acquired a 50 percent ownership interest in Moss Bluff Gas
Storage Systems, an existing 5 bcf high deliverability salt cavern storage
facility on the Gulf Coast of Texas for $18 million.  In October 1994, Moss
Bluff Gas Storage Systems completed an expansion of its storage capacity
creating an additional 0.5 bcf of working storage.  CMS Gas Transmission has
also agreed to develop an additional 2.5 bcf salt cavern at Moss Bluff which is
expected to be in service by the beginning of the winter of 1995-1996.

         In April 1994, CMS Gas Transmission entered into an agreement in
principle to develop a North American natural gas market center in southeastern
Michigan.  The Grands Lacs Market Center will provide a major exchange and
storage point for natural gas buyers and sellers throughout the midwest and
northeast United States and Canada.

         In August 1994, CMS Gas Marketing Company, a subsidiary of Enterprises
("CMS Gas Marketing"), acquired Natural Gas Services, Inc., an Owensboro,
Kentucky-based independent marketer of natural gas.  Natural Gas Services has
been active since 1988 in Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, South





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Carolina and Kentucky, providing gas marketing and consulting services to a
variety of end-users and natural gas utilities.  CMS Gas Marketing has acquired
all of Natural Gas Services' assets and contracts.

         In October 1994, CMS Gas Transmission reached a revised agreement with
Michigan Consolidated Gas Company ("MichCon") to provide a gas treating service
for up to 260 million cubic feet per day of Antrim gas.  Under the agreement
CMS Gas Transmission, which currently owns a 60 percent interest in two
existing carbon dioxide treating facilities, will purchase the remaining 40
percent interest in the treating facilities from MCN Investment Corporation.
CMS Gas Transmission currently plans to expand this existing 120 million cubic
feet per day treating complex to accommodate new Antrim production.  The
construction is scheduled to be completed in two phases, with phase I in
service by June 1995 and the final phase in service by December 1995.  This $22
million expansion will treat gas connected to a number of gathering lines
including CMS Gas Transmission's South Chester gathering system and deliver gas
to MichCon's Northern Michigan pipeline network.

         Also in October 1994, CMS Gas Transmission announced that Peoples Gas
Light and Coke Company of Chicago have agreed to become storage customers of
the Grand Lacs Market Center under a five-year agreement commencing in April
1995.  The Grand Lacs Market Center, located in southeastern Michigan's  St.
Clair County, will provide natural gas storage services, peaking storage,
wheeling, parking and other related natural gas services.  Under the agreement
with Peoples Gas, Grand Lacs Market Center will provide up to 150 million cubic
feet per day of Michigan-based firm storage service.

         During 1993, CMS Energy's non-utility gas companies made capital
expenditures of $14 million and formed two marketing partnerships which will
provide natural gas marketing services throughout the Appalachian region of the
United States and in Chicago and northern Illinois.

         In November 1993, CMS Gas Transmission acquired an existing $4 million
gas gathering system in the Antrim Shale region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula,
which was placed into service in December 1993.  CMS Gas Transmission began an
$11 million expansion of its carbon dioxide processing facility, with
completion expected in March 1994.  In December 1993, they signed a letter of
intent to invest $18 million to acquire 50 percent ownership in an existing 5
bcf high deliverability salt cavern storage facility on the Gulf Coast of
Texas.

         CMS Energy currently plans to invest $89 million for the years 1994
through 1996 relating to its non-utility gas operations.  These investments
would reflect the significant expansion of certain northern Michigan gas
pipeline and carbon dioxide removal plant facilities.  It will continue to
pursue development of natural gas storage, gas gathering and pipeline
operations both domestically and internationally and work toward the
development of a Midwest "market center" for natural gas through strategic
alliances and asset acquisition and development.

OTHER

         OTHER INCOME:  Other income decreased $30 million for the first nine
months of 1994 when compared to the corresponding 1993 period, reflecting the
impact of the sale of the remaining MCV Bonds.  The 1993 other income level
reflects lower Midland-related losses than experienced in 1992.  The 1992 loss
included a $343 million charge related to the Settlement Order.  The 1991 loss
included $294 million related to an MPSC order received in 1991 that allowed
Consumers to recover only $760 million of remaining abandoned Midland
investment.

         FIXED CHARGES:  Fixed charges for 1993 increased $22 million from 1992
and primarily reflect debt outstanding with higher rates of interest in 1993.
The significant decrease in fixed charges in 1992 from 1991 primarily reflects
Consumers' program aimed at significantly reducing its debt and the refinancing
of debt at lower interest rates.





                                      -84-
<PAGE>   115


         PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT EXEMPTION:  CMS Energy is exempt
from registration under PUHCA.  However, the Attorney General and the MMCG have
asked the Commission to revoke CMS Energy's exemption from registration under
PUHCA.  In April 1992, the MPSC filed a statement with the Commission
recommending that CMS Energy's current exemption be revoked and a new exemption
be issued conditioned upon certain reporting and operating requirements.  If
CMS Energy were to lose its current exemption, it would become more heavily
regulated by the Commission; Consumers could ultimately be forced to divest
either its electric or gas utility business; and CMS Energy would be restricted
from conducting businesses that are not functionally related to the conduct of
its utility business as determined by the Commission.  CMS Energy is opposing
this request and believes it will maintain its current exemption from
registration under PUHCA.

         NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS  In October 1994, the FASB issued SFAS 118,
Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan-Income Recognition and
Disclosures, and SFAS 119, Disclosure about Derivative Financial Instruments
and Fair Value of Financial Instruments.  CMS Energy is studying these
statements, which are effective for year-end 1994 financial statements, but
does not expect either statement will have a material impact on CMS Energy's
financial position or results of operations.





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<PAGE>   116

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

         The following is a description of the Capital Stock of CMS Energy,
assuming the filing of the Certificate of Amendment authorizing the Class G
Common Stock with the Michigan Department of Commerce prior to the completion
of the Offering.  The Certificate of Amendment will be voted upon by the
holders of CMS Energy Common Stock at a special meeting of such holders
scheduled to be held on March 21, 1995.  This description does not purport to
be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Articles of
Incorporation and the Certificate of Amendment, which have been filed as
exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.

GENERAL

         The authorized capital stock of CMS Energy consists of 320 million
shares of capital stock, of which 10 million are shares of preferred stock,
$.01 par value ("Preferred Stock"), 60 million are shares of common stock, no
par value, designated as Class G Common Stock, and 250 millon are shares of
common stock, par value $.01 per share, designated as CMS Energy Common Stock.
As of February 10, 1995, there were no shares of Preferred Stock or Class G
Common Stock issued or outstanding, and 86,562,096 shares of CMS Energy Common
Stock were issued and outstanding.

         Authorized but unissued shares of Class G Common Stock will be
available for issuance by CMS Energy from time to time, as determined by the
Board of Directors, for any proper corporate purpose, which could include
raising capital for use by CMS Energy (in the case of the sale of any Retained
Interest Shares) or for attribution to the Consumers Gas Group (in the case of
any sale of Additional Shares), payment of dividends, providing compensation or
benefits to employees or acquiring companies or businesses.  The issuance of
such shares of Class G Common Stock would not be subject to approval by the
shareholders of CMS Energy unless deemed advisable by the Board of Directors or
required by applicable law, regulation or stock exchange listing requirements.
Any net proceeds from, or other effects of, the issuance by CMS Energy of Class
G Common Stock (other than Retained Interest Shares) would be attributed to the
Consumers Gas Group.

         The Class G Common Stock is designed to establish a class of Common
Stock that is intended to reflect the performance of the businesses attributed
to the Consumers Gas Group.  See "Business of the Consumers Gas Group."

PREFERRED STOCK

         The authorized Preferred Stock may be issued without the approval of
the holders of Common Stock in one or more series, from time to time, with each
such series to have such designation, powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in a resolution
providing for the issue of any such series adopted by the Board of Directors.
The future issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying,
deferring or preventing a change in control of CMS Energy.

CLASS G COMMON STOCK

         DIVIDENDS:  Dividends on the Class G Common Stock will be limited to
the lesser of (i) the assets of CMS Energy legally available for dividends
under Michigan law and (ii) the Available Class G Dividend Amount.  Michigan
law prohibits a dividend, if after giving it effect, CMS Energy would not be
able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business, or
CMS Energy's total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities
plus, unless the Articles of Incorporation of CMS





                                      -86-
<PAGE>   117

Energy are amended to provide otherwise, the amount that would be needed, if
CMS Energy were to be dissolved at the time of the dividend, to satisfy the
preferential rights upon dissolution of any shareholders whose preferential
rights are superior to those receiving the assets.  Consequently, the amount
allowed under clause (i) above will reflect the amount of any net losses of CMS
Energy, including the businesses attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, and any
dividends or distributions on the Class G Common Stock or the CMS Energy Common
Stock.  However, such net losses, dividends or distributions would not reduce
assets legally available for distribution on the Class G Common Stock unless
the legally available assets of CMS Energy are less than the Available Class G
Dividend Amount limitations set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.
Subject to the express terms of any outstanding Preferred Stock, the foregoing
limitations and the contractual limitations described under "Dividend Policy,"
the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, declare and pay dividends
exclusively on either class of Common Stock, in equal or unequal amounts,
notwithstanding the respective amounts of assets available for dividends on
each class, the respective voting rights of each class, the amounts of prior
dividends declared on each class or any other factor.  It is the Board of
Directors' current intention that the declaration or payment of dividends with
respect to the Class G Common Stock shall not be reduced, suspended or
eliminated as a result of factors arising out of or relating to the electric
utility business or the non-utility businesses of CMS Energy unless such
factors also require, in the Board of Directors' sole discretion, the omission
of the declaration or reduction in payment of dividends on both the CMS Energy
Common Stock and the Class G Common Stock.

         The "Available Class G Dividend Amount," on any date ("calculation
date"), means the excess of:

                 (i)  the product of (a) the Gas Group Fraction as of such
         calculation date and (b) an amount equal to the total assets
         attributed to the Consumers Gas Group less the total liabilities
         attributed to the Consumers Gas Group as of such calculation date
         determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
         as in effect at such time applied on a basis consistent with that
         applied in determining Consumers Gas Group income; over

                 (ii)  the product of (a) the Gas Group Fraction as of such
         calculation date and (b) the amount that would be needed to satisfy
         any preferential rights to which holders of any outstanding shares of
         preferred stock attributed to the Consumers Gas Group are entitled as
         of such calculation date;

provided that such excess will be reduced by an amount, if any, sufficient to
ensure that the Consumers Gas Group will be able to pay its debts as they
become due in the usual course of business.

         The "Gas Group Fraction," as of any calculation date, represents the
fractional interest in the businesses attributed to the Consumers Gas Group
that is held by the holders of the issued and outstanding Class G Common Stock.
It is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Class G
Common Stock issued and outstanding on such date and the denominator of which
is the sum of the number of shares of Class G Common Stock issued and
outstanding on such date plus the number of Retained Interest Shares on such
date, but such fraction will never be greater than one.

         The "Retained Interest Shares" as of any date represents the interest
in the businesses attributed to the Consumers Gas Group that is not held by the
holders of the outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock, but is retained by
CMS Energy.  The Retained Interest Shares are not deemed to be outstanding
shares of Class G Common Stock and have no voting rights.  The number of
Retained Interest Shares will initially be the number of shares of Class G
Common Stock that the Board of





                                      -87-
<PAGE>   118

Directors deems, prior to the first issuance of Class G Common Stock, to
represent 100% of the common stockholders' equity of CMS Energy attributable to
the Consumers Gas Group, less the number of shares of Class G Common Stock to
be first issued.  The number from time to time will be:

                 (i)  adjusted as appropriate to reflect subdivisions (by stock
         split or otherwise) and combinations (by reverse stock split or
         otherwise) of Class G Common Stock and dividends or distributions of
         shares of Class G Common Stock to holders thereof and other
         reclassifications of Class G Common Stock;

                 (ii)  decreased by (A) the number of Retained Interest Shares
         issued or sold by CMS Energy, including any sold pursuant to the
         Offering, (B) the number of Retained Interest Shares issued upon
         conversion or exercise of Convertible Securities (as defined below)
         which are not attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, (C) the number of
         Retained Interest Shares issued by CMS Energy as a dividend or
         distribution or by reclassification or exchange to holders of CMS
         Energy Common Stock and (D) the number (rounded, if necessary, to the
         nearest whole number) equal to the aggregate fair value (as determined
         by the Board of Directors) of assets or properties of CMS Energy which
         cease to be attributable to the Consumers Gas Group in consideration
         for a decrease in the Retained Interest Shares determined by dividing
         such amount by the Fair Market Value of one share of Class G Common
         Stock as of the date such assets or properties cease to be
         attributable to the Consumers Gas Group; and

                 (iii)  increased by (A) the number of issued and outstanding
         shares of Class G Common Stock repurchased by CMS Energy with assets
         which are not attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, and (B) the
         number (rounded, if necessary, to the nearest whole number) equal to
         the aggregate fair value (as determined by the Board of Directors) of
         assets or properties of CMS Energy that are attributed to the
         Consumers Gas Group in consideration for an increase in the number of
         Retained Interest Shares divided by the Fair Market Value of one share
         of Class G Common Stock as of the date of such attribution.

         "Convertible Securities" means any securities of CMS Energy that are
convertible into or exercisable for or evidence the right to acquire any shares
of CMS Energy Common Stock or Class G Common Stock, whether at such time or
upon the occurrence of certain events, pursuant to antidilution provisions of
such securities or otherwise.

         VOTING:  Except as set forth below and except as otherwise provided by
law, the holders of both classes of Common Stock vote together as a single
class on all matters as to which all holders of Common Stock are entitled to
vote.  On all matters to be voted on by the holders of both classes of Common
Stock voting together as a single class (i) each share of outstanding CMS
Energy Common Stock would have one vote and (ii) each share of outstanding
Class G Common Stock would have one vote.  If shares of only one class of
Common Stock are outstanding, each share of that class will have one vote.  If
any class of Common Stock of CMS Energy is entitled to vote separately as a
class, with respect to any matter, each share of that class shall be entitled
to one vote in the separate vote on such matter.

         CMS Energy will set forth the amount of outstanding shares of the CMS
Energy Common Stock and the Class G Common Stock in its Annual Reports on Form
10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and
will disclose in any proxy statement for a shareholders' meeting the number of
outstanding shares of the CMS Energy Common Stock and the Class G Common Stock.





                                      -88-
<PAGE>   119

         Under Michigan law, the approval of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of a class of Common Stock, voting as a separate class,
would be necessary for authorizing, effecting or validating the merger or
consolidation of CMS Energy into or with any other corporation if such merger
or consolidation would adversely affect the powers or special rights of such
class of stock, and to authorize any amendment to the Articles of Incorporation
that would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of
such class or alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the
shares of such class so as to affect them adversely.  The Articles of
Incorporation also provide that unless the vote or consent of a greater number
of shares shall then be required by law, the approval of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of either class of Common Stock, voting as a
separate class, will be necessary for authorizing, effecting or validating the
merger or consolidation of CMS Energy into or with any other corporation if
such merger or consolidation would adversely affect the powers or special
rights of such class of Common Stock, either directly by amendment to the
Articles of Incorporation or indirectly by requiring the holders of such class
to accept or retain, in such merger or consolidation, anything other than (i)
shares of such class or (ii) shares of the surviving or resulting corporation,
having, in either case, powers and special rights identical to those of such
class prior to such merger or consolidation.  The effect of these provisions
may be to permit the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of either
class of Common Stock to block any such merger or amendment which would
adversely affect the powers or special rights of holders of such class of
Common Stock.

         EXCHANGE OR REDEMPTION:  The Class G Common Stock will be subject to
exchange or redemption, as the case may be, upon the terms described below.

         At any time after the date on which all of the consolidated assets and
liabilities attributed to the Consumers Gas Group (and no other assets or
liabilities) become the consolidated assets and liabilities of a single
corporation, all of the common stock of which is owned by CMS Energy ("Gas
Group Subsidiary"), the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, provided
that there are assets of CMS Energy legally available therefor, may declare
that all of the outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock will be exchanged
for a number of outstanding shares of common stock of the Gas Group Subsidiary
equal to the product of the Gas Group Fraction and the number of all of the
outstanding shares of common stock of the Gas Group Subsidiary, on a pro rata
basis, each of which shall, upon issuance, be fully paid and nonassessable.
CMS Energy would retain the balance of the outstanding shares of the common
stock of the Gas Group Subsidiary.

         Upon the Disposition, in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, by CMS Energy of all or substantially all of the properties and
assets attributed to the Consumers Gas Group (other than in connection with the
Disposition by CMS Energy of all of its properties and assets in one
transaction or a series of related transactions which results in the
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of CMS Energy as set forth under
"Liquidation" below) to any person, entity or group (other than (a) holders of
all outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock on a pro rata basis or (b) a
person, entity or group in which CMS Energy, directly or indirectly, owns a
majority equity interest), CMS Energy is required, on or prior to the first
Business Day (as defined below) following the 90th day following the
consummation of such Disposition, to exchange each outstanding share of Class G
Common Stock for a number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of CMS Energy
Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to 110% of the Fair Market Value
of one share of Class G Common Stock as of the date of the first public
announcement by CMS Energy of such Disposition.

         If immediately after any event, CMS Energy, directly or indirectly,
owns less than a majority equity interest in any person, entity or group in
which CMS Energy, directly or indirectly, owned a majority equity interest
immediately prior to the occurrence of such event, a Disposition of all of the
properties and assets attributed to the Consumers Gas Group owned by such
person, entity or group shall





                                      -89-
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be deemed to have occurred.  In the case of a Disposition of properties and
assets in a series of related transactions, such Disposition shall not be
deemed to have been consummated until the consummation of the last of such
transactions.

         "Business Day" means each weekday other than any day on which any
relevant class of Common Stock is not traded on any national securities
exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations
National Market or in the over-the-counter market.

         "Disposition" means a sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition
(whether by merger, consolidation, sale or contribution of assets, properties
or stock or otherwise), but does not include (1) an attribution of assets or
properties of CMS Energy to the Consumers Gas Group if such attribution
increases the Retained Interest Shares, or (2) assets or properties of CMS
Energy ceasing to be attributed to the Consumers Gas Group if the result is a
decrease in the Retained Interest Shares.

         "Fair Market Value" of shares of either class of Common Stock on any
date means the average of the daily closing prices thereof for the period of 20
consecutive Business Days commencing on the 30th Business Day prior to such
date.  The closing price of shares of a class of Common Stock for each Business
Day shall be (i) if such shares are listed or admitted to trading on a national
securities exchange, the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange Composite
Tape (or any successor composite tape reporting transactions on national
securities exchanges) or, if such New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape shall
not be in use or shall not report transactions in such shares, the last
reported sales price regular way on the principal national securities exchange
on which such shares are listed or admitted to trading (which shall be the
national securities exchange on which the greatest number of such shares of
stock has been traded during such 20 consecutive Business Days), or, if there
is no transaction on any such Business Day in any such situation, the mean of
the bid and asked prices on such Business Day, or (ii) if such shares are not
listed or admitted to trading on any such exchange, the closing price, if
reported, or, if the closing price is not reported, the average of the closing
bid and asked prices as reported by the National Association of Securities
Dealers Automated Quotations or a similar source selected from time to time by
CMS Energy for this purpose, and (iii) reduced, if such Business Day is prior
to any "ex" date or any similar date occurring during such period for any
dividend or distribution (other than as contemplated in (iv) below) paid or to
be paid with respect to such shares, by the fair market value (as determined by
the Board of Directors) of the per share amount of such dividend or
distribution, and (iv) appropriately adjusted, if such Business Day is prior to
(A) the effective date of any subdivision (by stock split, stock dividend, or
otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split or otherwise) of such shares,
or (B) the "ex" date or any similar date for any dividend or distribution of
shares of such class of Common Stock on the outstanding shares of such class of
Common Stock, occurring during such period, to reflect such subdivision,
combination, dividend or distribution.  In the event such closing or bid and
asked prices are unavailable, the Fair Market Value of such shares shall be
determined by the Board of Directors.

         "Substantially all of the properties and assets attributed to the
Consumers Gas Group" means a portion of such properties and assets (A) that
represents at least 80% of the then-current fair market value (as determined by
the Board of Directors) of the properties and assets attributed to the
Consumers Gas Group as of such date or (B) from which were derived at least 80%
of the aggregate revenues for the immediately preceding twelve fiscal quarterly
periods of CMS Energy (calculated on a pro forma basis to include revenues
derived from any of such properties and assets acquired during such periods)
derived from the properties and assets attributed to the Consumers Gas Group as
of such date.

         In addition, CMS Energy may, by a majority vote of the Board of
Directors then in office, at any time exchange for each outstanding share of
Class G Common Stock a number of fully paid and





                                      -90-
<PAGE>   121

nonassessable shares of CMS Energy Common Stock having a Fair Market Value
equal to 115% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Class G Common Stock as
of the date of the first public announcement by CMS Energy of such exchange.

         After the exchange date on which all outstanding Class G Common Stock
was exchanged, any share of Class G Common Stock that is issued on conversion
or exercise of any Convertible Securities will, immediately upon issuance
pursuant to such conversion or exercise and without any notice or any other
action on the part of CMS Energy or the Board of Directors or the holder of
such share of Class G Common Stock:  (A) in the event the then-outstanding
Class G Common Stock was exchanged for CMS Energy Common Stock on such exchange
date as set forth in the first or sixth immediately preceding paragraphs, be
exchanged for the kind and amount of shares of capital stock and other
securities and property that a holder of such Convertible Security would have
been entitled to receive pursuant to the terms of such Convertible Security had
such terms provided that the conversion or exercise privilege in effect
immediately prior to any exchange by CMS Energy of any of its capital stock for
shares of any other capital stock of CMS Energy would be adjusted so that the
holder of any such Convertible Security thereafter surrendered for conversion
or exercise would be entitled to receive the number of shares of capital stock
of CMS Energy and other securities and property such holder would have owned
immediately following such action had such Convertible Security been converted
or exercised immediately prior thereto; or (B) in the event the
then-outstanding Class G Common Stock was exchanged for common stock of the Gas
Group Subsidiary as set forth in the seventh immediately preceding paragraph,
be redeemed, to the extent of the assets of CMS Energy legally available
therefor, for $.01 in cash.  The provisions of clause (A) above do not apply to
the extent that equivalent adjustments are otherwise made pursuant to the
provisions of such Convertible Securities.

         Under Section 303 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act ("MBCA"),
upon the prior approval of shareholders, a board of directors may amend a
corporation's articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized
shares of any class or series of stock to the number that will be sufficient,
when added to the previously authorized but unissued shares of such class or
series, to satisfy the conversion privileges of any convertible securities of
the corporation.  The Articles of Incorporation deem the required exchange
after the Disposition, in one transaction or a series of related transactions,
of all or substantially all of the properties and assets attributed to the
Consumers Gas Group and the optional exchange at a 15% Premium of Class G
Common Stock by CMS Energy for CMS Energy Common Stock, each as discussed
above, as conversion privileges within the meaning of Section 303 of the MBCA.
Accordingly, in order to give effect to any such exchange, the Board of
Directors would have the authority to amend the Articles of Incorporation to
increase the authorized shares of capital stock generally and of CMS Energy
Common Stock specifically to the number that would be sufficient, when added to
the previously authorized but unissued shares of capital stock and CMS Energy
Common Stock, to give effect to such exchange.

         GENERAL EXCHANGE PROVISIONS:  In the event of any exchange of Class G
Common Stock, CMS Energy will cause to be given to each holder of Class G
Common Stock to be so exchanged a notice stating (A) that shares of Class G
Common Stock will be exchanged, (B) the date of the exchange, (C) the kind and
amount of shares of capital stock or cash and/or securities or other property
to be received by such holder with respect to each share of such Class G Common
Stock held by such holder, including details as to the calculation thereof, (D)
the place or places where certificates for shares of Class G Common Stock,
properly endorsed or assigned for transfer (unless CMS Energy shall waive such
requirement), are to be surrendered for delivery of certificates for shares of
such capital stock or cash and/or securities or other property and (E) that,
except as provided in the following paragraph, dividends or other distributions
on Class G Common Stock will cease to be paid as of such exchange date.  Such
notice shall be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, not less than 30
days nor more than 60 days





                                      -91-
<PAGE>   122

prior to the exchange date and in any case to each holder of the Class G Common
Stock to be exchanged at such holder's address as the same appears on the stock
transfer books of CMS Energy.  Neither the failure to mail such notice to any
particular holder of Class G Common Stock nor any defect therein shall affect
the sufficiency thereof with respect to any other holder of Class G Common
Stock.

         No adjustments in respect of dividends or other distributions will be
made upon the exchange of any shares of Class G Common Stock; provided,
however, that if the exchange date with respect to Class G Common Stock shall
be subsequent to the record date for the payment of a dividend or other
distribution thereon or with respect thereto, the holders of shares of Class G
Common Stock at the close of business on such record date shall be entitled to
receive the dividend or other distribution payable on or with respect to such
shares on the date set for payment of such dividend or other distribution,
notwithstanding the exchange of such shares or CMS Energy's default in payment
of the dividend or distribution due on such date.

         Before any holder of shares of Class G Common Stock will be entitled
to receive certificates representing shares of any capital stock or cash and/or
securities or other property to be received by such holder with respect to any
exchange, such holder shall surrender at such office as CMS Energy shall
specify certificates for such shares of Common Stock, properly endorsed or
assigned for transfer (unless CMS Energy shall waive such requirement).  CMS
Energy will as soon as practicable after such surrender of certificates
representing such shares of Class G Common Stock deliver to the person for
whose account such shares of Class G Common Stock were so surrendered, or to
the nominee or nominees of such person, certificates representing the number of
whole shares of the kind of capital stock or cash and/or securities or other
property to which such person shall be entitled as aforesaid, together with any
fractional payment referred to in the next paragraph.

         CMS Energy will not be required to issue or deliver fractional shares
of any class of capital stock or any fractional securities to any holder of
Class G Common Stock upon any exchange, dividend or other distribution.  If
more than one share of Class G Common Stock shall be held at the same time by
the same holder, CMS Energy may aggregate the number of shares of any class of
capital stock that shall be issuable or the amount of securities that shall be
deliverable to such holder upon any exchange, dividend or other distribution
(including any fractions of shares or securities).  If the number of shares of
any class of capital stock or the amount of securities remaining to be issued
or delivered to any holder of Class G Common Stock is a fraction, CMS Energy
will, if such fraction is not issued or delivered to such holder, pay a cash
adjustment in respect of such fraction in an amount equal to the fair market
value of such fraction on the fifth Business Day prior to the date such payment
is to be made.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, "fair market value" of
any fraction will be (i) in the case of any fraction of a share of any class of
Common Stock, the product of such fraction and the Fair Market Value of one
share of such Common Stock and (ii) in the case of any other fractional
security, such value as is determined by the Board of Directors.

         From and after any applicable exchange date, all rights of a holder of
shares of Class G Common Stock that were exchanged shall cease except for the
right, upon surrender of the certificates representing such shares of Class G
Common Stock, to receive certificates representing shares of the kind and
amount of capital stock or cash and/or securities or other property for which
such shares were exchanged or redeemed, together with any fractional payment
contemplated by the immediately preceding paragraph and rights to dividends or
other distributions as provided in the third immediately preceding paragraph.
No holder of a certificate that immediately prior to the applicable exchange
date for Class G Common Stock represented shares of Class G Common Stock will
be entitled to receive any dividend or other distribution with respect to
shares of any kind of capital stock into which such Class G Common Stock was
exchanged until surrender of such holder's certificate for a certificate or
certificates





                                      -92-
<PAGE>   123

representing shares of such capital stock.  Upon such surrender, there shall be
paid to the holder the amount of any dividends or other distributions (without
interest) which theretofore became payable with respect to a record date after
the exchange date, but that were not paid by reason of the foregoing, with
respect to the number of whole shares of the kind of capital stock represented
by the certificate or certificates issued upon such surrender.  From and after
an exchange date for Class G Common Stock, CMS Energy will, however, be
entitled to treat the certificates for such Class G Common Stock that have not
yet been surrendered for exchange as evidencing the ownership of the number of
whole shares of the kind or kinds of capital stock for which the shares of such
Class G Common Stock represented by such certificates shall have been
exchanged, notwithstanding the failure to surrender such certificates.

         CMS Energy will pay any and all documentary, stamp or similar issue or
transfer taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of any
shares of capital stock on exchange of shares of Class G Common Stock.  CMS
Energy will not, however, be required to pay any tax that may be payable in
respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of any shares of
capital stock in a name other than that in which the shares of the Class G
Common Stock so exchanged were registered, and no such issue or delivery shall
be made unless and until the person requesting such issue has paid to CMS
Energy the amount of any such tax, or has established to the satisfaction of
CMS Energy that such tax has been paid.

         LIQUIDATION, SUBDIVISION AND COMBINATION:  In the event of a
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of CMS Energy, whether voluntary or
involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other
liabilities of CMS Energy and after there shall have been paid or set apart for
the holders of Preferred Stock the full preferential amounts (including any
accumulated and unpaid dividends) to which they are entitled, the holders of
Class G Common Stock and CMS Energy Common Stock will be entitled to receive an
amount per share equal to the amount of assets remaining for distribution to
holders of Common Stock divided by the total number of shares of CMS Energy
Common Stock and Class G Common Stock then outstanding.  The liquidation rights
of the holders of the respective classes may not bear any relationship to the
relative Fair Market Values or the relative voting rights of the two classes.

         If CMS Energy subdivides (by stock split, stock dividend or otherwise)
or combines (by reverse stock split or otherwise) the outstanding shares of
either Class G Common Stock or CMS Energy Common Stock, the liquidation rights
of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock relative to Class G Common Stock will be
appropriately adjusted so as to avoid any dilution in aggregate voting or
liquidation rights of either class of Common Stock.  For example, in case CMS
Energy were to effect a two-for-one split of Class G Common Stock, the per
share liquidation rights of CMS Energy Common Stock would be multiplied by two
in order to avoid dilution in the aggregate liquidation rights of holders of
CMS Energy Common Stock and each post-split share of Class G Common Stock would
have one-half of a vote.

         Neither the merger or consolidation of CMS Energy into or with any
other corporation, nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation
into or with CMS Energy nor any sale, transfer or lease of all or any part of
the assets of CMS Energy, will be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or
winding up for purposes of the liquidation provisions set forth above.

         DETERMINATIONS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  Any determinations made in
compliance with applicable law by the Board of Directors under any of the
provisions in the Certificate of Amendment would be final and binding on all
shareholders of CMS Energy.





                                      -93-
<PAGE>   124

         OTHER RIGHTS:  The holders of Class G Common Stock would have no
preemptive rights or any other rights to convert their shares into any other
securities of CMS Energy.

         RETAINED INTEREST OF CMS ENERGY IN CONSUMERS GAS GROUP; GAS GROUP
FRACTION:  The "Retained Interest" represents the interest in the common
stockholders' equity of CMS Energy attributed to the Consumer Gas Group that
would be deemed to be retained by CMS Energy after shares of Class G Common
Stock are distributed or sold in the Offering or subsequent public offerings.
If the total number of shares of Class G Common Stock that is distributed or
sold represents all of such interest, there will be no Retained Interest.

         Assuming that the Board of Directors has designated 25 million shares
of Class G Common Stock as the number of such shares which it deems to
represent 100% of the CMS Energy common stockholders' equity attributable to
the Consumers Gas Group, such shares will represent the initial Retained
Interest Shares.  If 5 million shares of Class G Common Stock are offered and
sold in the Offering, the Retained Interest Shares would be decreased to 20
million.  The Retained Interest Shares are not, and will not be, outstanding or
held by CMS Energy and cannot be voted, but are used to measure the Retained
Interest.

         The Gas Group Fraction is the percentage interest in the common
stockholders' equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group that would be
represented at any time by the issued and outstanding shares of Class G Common
Stock.  If shares of Class G Common Stock other than Retained Interest Shares
were sold, the Retained Interest Shares would not be reduced, but the Retained
Interest as a percentage of the common stockholders' equity attributed to the
Consumers Gas Group would nonetheless be reduced, and the Gas Group Fraction
would be increased accordingly.  As shares of Class G Common Stock are offered
and sold from time to time by CMS Energy, it will identify the number of shares
of Class G Common Stock offered and sold which would (i) decrease the Retained
Interest Shares, or (ii) increase the Gas Group Fraction; the sum of the
percentage equal to the Gas Group Fraction and the percentage of the common
stockholders' equity represented by the Retained Interest would always equal
100%.  A determination as to whether shares of Class G Common Stock which are
sold are or are not Retained Interest Shares would be made by the Board of
Directors, in its sole discretion, after consideration of a number of factors,
including, among others, the relative levels of internally generated cash flows
of each business of CMS Energy, the capital expenditure plans of and investment
opportunities available to each business of CMS Energy and the availability,
cost and time associated with alternative financing sources.

         Any issuance of shares of Class G Common Stock would dilute the
relative voting power of holders of shares of Class G Common Stock outstanding
prior to such issuance.

         The Board of Directors could, in its sole discretion, determine from
time to time to cause cash or other property attributed to the Consumers Gas
Group to cease to be attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, which would
decrease the Retained Interest Shares and the Retained Interest as a percentage
of the common stockholders' equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, and
would increase the Gas Group Fraction.  The Board of Directors could, in its
sole discretion, determine from time to time to attribute additional cash or
other property to the Consumers Gas Group, which would increase the Retained
Interest Shares and the Retained Interest as a percentage of the common
stockholders' equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, and decrease the
Gas Group Fraction.  The Board of Directors could determine, in its sole
discretion, to make such attributions after consideration of a number of
factors, including, among others, the relative levels of internally generated
cash flows of each business of CMS Energy, the long-term business prospects for
each business of CMS Energy, including the Consumers Gas Group, the capital
expenditure plans of and the investment opportunities available to





                                      -94-
<PAGE>   125

each business of CMS Energy and the availability, cost and time associated with
alternative financing sources.  See "Certain Management and Accounting
Policies--Accounting Matters."

         In the event of any dividend or other distribution on outstanding
shares of Class G Common Stock while CMS Energy has a Retained Interest, the
Consumers Gas Group's financial statements would be charged in respect of the
Retained Interest with an amount equal to the product of (i) the aggregate
amount paid in respect of such dividend or other distribution, times (ii) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the Retained Interest Shares and the
denominator of which is the total number of shares of Class G Common Stock then
issued and outstanding.

         In the event that CMS Energy repurchases shares of Class G Common
Stock for consideration that is not attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, the
Retained Interest Shares and the Retained Interest as a percentage of the
common stockholders' equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group would
increase, and the Gas Group Fraction would decrease accordingly.  In the event
that CMS Energy repurchases shares of Class G Common Stock for consideration
that is attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, the Retained Interest Shares
would not change, but the Retained Interest as a percentage of the common
stockholders' equity attributed to the Consumers Gas Group would increase, and
the Gas Group Fraction would decrease accordingly.  The Board of Directors
could, in its sole discretion, determine whether repurchases of Class G Common
Stock should be made with consideration attributed to the Consumers Gas Group
by considering a number of factors, including, among others, the relative
levels of internally generated cash flows of each business of CMS Energy, the
long-term business prospects for each business of CMS Energy, the capital
expenditure plans of and the investment opportunities available to each
business of CMS Energy and the availability, cost and time associated with
alternative financing sources.  See "Certain Management and Accounting
Policies--Accounting Matters."

         For further discussion of, and illustrations of the calculation of the
Retained Interest Shares, the Retained Interest as a percentage of the common
stockholders' equity in the Consumers Gas Group and the Gas Group Fraction and
the effects thereon of issuances and repurchases of, and dividends on, shares
of Class G Common Stock, and changes in the Retained Interest Shares, the
Retained Interest and the Gas Group Fraction occasioned by the attribution of
cash or other property, see Appendix II, "Class G Common Stock Retained
Interest Illustrations."

CMS ENERGY COMMON STOCK

         DIVIDENDS:  The Board of Directors has stated its intention to declare
and pay dividends on the CMS Energy Common Stock based primarily on the
earnings and financial condition of CMS Energy.  See "Dividend Policy" above.
The results of operations and financial condition of the businesses attributed
to the Consumers Gas Group will continue to be reflected in the consolidated
financial statements of CMS Energy, and such financial statements will disclose
the interest of the holders of outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock in
the Consumer Gas Group.

         For information concerning the policies of CMS Energy with regard to
dividends on common Stock and certain restrictions on its ability to pay such
dividends, see "Dividend Policy" and "Primary source of Dividends for the
Common Stock of CMS Energy; Restrictions on Source of Dividends."

         VOTING:  Except as described herein, the holders of outstanding Class
G Common Stock will vote together with the holders of the outstanding CMS
Energy Common Stock as a single class on all matters as to which all common
shareholders are entitled to vote.





                                      -95-
<PAGE>   126

         On all matters to be voted on by the holders of Class G Common Stock
and CMS Energy Common Stock together as a single class, subject to the
antidilution provisions set forth under "Class G Common Stock -- Liquidation,
Subdivision and Combination" above, each outstanding share of Class G Common
Stock and each outstanding share of CMS Energy Common Stock will have one vote.

         Under Michigan law, the approval of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of a class of Common Stock, voting as a separate class,
would be necessary for authorizing, effecting of validating the merger of
consolidation of CMS Energy into or with any other corporation if such merger
or consolidation would adversely affect the powers or special rights of such
class of stock, and to authorize any amendment to the Articles of Incorporation
that would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of
such class or alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the
shares of such class so as to affect them adversely.  The Articles of
Incorporation also provide that unless the vote or consent of a greater number
of shares shall then be required by law, the approval of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of either class of Common Stock, voting as a
separate class, will be necessary for authorizing, effecting or validating the
merger or consolidation of CMS Energy into or with any other corporation if
such merger or consolidation would adversely affect the powers or special
rights of such class of Common Stock, either directly by amendment to the
Articles of Incorporation or indirectly by requiring the holders of such class
to accept or retain, in such merger or consolidation, anything other than (i)
shares of such class or (ii) shares of the surviving or resulting corporation,
having, in either case, powers and special rights identical to those of such
class prior to such merger or consolidation.  The effect of these provisions
may be to permit the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of either
class of Common Stock to block any such merger or amendment which would
adversely affect the powers or special rights of holders of such class of
common Stock.

         Neither CMS Energy nor any holders of CMS Energy Common Stock would be
entitled to vote with respect to Retained Interest Shares.

         LIQUIDATION, SUBDIVISION AND COMBINATION:  The rights, if any, of the
holders of CMS Energy Common Stock upon the voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, merger, subdivision, combination, consolidation, distribution or
sale of assets, dissolution or winding up of CMS Energy are as set forth under
"Class G Common Stock--Liquidation, Subdivision and Combination" above.

         EXCHANGE OR REDEMPTION:  The CMS Energy Common Stock may be exchanged
for outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock upon the terms described under
"Class G Common Stock--Exchange or Redemption" above.

STOCK TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

         The Transfer Agent and the Registrar for the Common Stock is CMS
Energy.


                 CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX EFFECTS OF OFFERING

         In the opinion of Sidley & Austin, special counsel to CMS Energy, the
CMS Energy Common Stock and the Class G Common Stock each will be treated for
federal income tax purposes as Common Stock of CMS Energy.  Accordingly, for
federal income tax purposes, (i) CMS Energy will not recognize any income, gain
or loss as a result of the offering and sale of the Class G Common Stock; (ii)
a holder of Class G Common Stock will not recognize any income, gain or loss
upon the exchange of Class G Common Stock for CMS Energy Common Stock, either
pursuant to CMS Energy's option or upon the Disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Consumers Gas Group, except for cash





                                      -96-
<PAGE>   127

received in lieu of fractional shares; and (iii) the tax basis of CMS Energy
Common Stock received in such exchange will be the tax basis of the Class G
Common Stock exchanged therefor, and, assuming that the Class G Common Stock is
held as a capital asset, the holding period of such CMS Energy Common Stock
will include the holding period of such Class G Common Stock.

         The Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") announced in 1987 that it
was studying and would not issue advance rulings on the classification of an
instrument that has certain voting and liquidation rights in an issuing
corporation but the dividend rights of which are determined by reference to the
earnings of a segregated portion of the issuing corporation's assets, including
assets held by a subsidiary.  In addition, there are no court decisions or
other authorities that bear directly on transactions similar to the Offering.
It is possible, therefore, that the Service could assert that the Class G
Common Stock represents property other than stock of CMS Energy.  If the Class
G Common Stock were treated as property other than stock of CMS Energy, CMS
Energy or its subsidiaries (i) would recognize a significant taxable gain on
the sale of the Class G Stock in an amount equal to the excess of the fair
market value of such stock sold over its federal income tax basis to CMS Energy
or such subsidiaries and (ii) CMS Energy could lose its ability to file
consolidated federal income tax returns with Consumers (one consequence being
that any dividends paid or deemed to be paid by Consumers to CMS Energy would
be taxable to CMS Energy, subject to any applicable dividends received
deduction).  As indicated above, however, it is the opinion of counsel that the
Service would not prevail in any such assertion.

         The foregoing discussion is for the general information only.  It is
based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date hereof,
Treasury Department regulations, published positions of the Service and court
decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change.  In particular,
Congress could enact legislation affecting the treatment of stock with
characteristics similar to the Class G Common Stock or the Treasury Department
could change the current law in future regulations, including regulations
issued pursuant to its authority under Section 337(d) of the Code.  Any future
legislation or regulations could apply retroactively.





                                      -97-
<PAGE>   128



                                  UNDERWRITERS

 Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Underwriting
Agreement dated _____________, 1995, a syndicate of underwriters (the
"Underwriters") named below for whom _______________________________ are acting
as representatives (the "Representatives") has severally agreed to purchase,
and CMS Energy has agreed to sell to them, the respective number of shares of
Class G Common Stock set forth opposite the name of such Underwriters below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Number
       Name                                       of Shares
       ----                                       ---------
   <S>                                            <C>




   Total                                            ,000,000
                                                  ==========
</TABLE>


 The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligation of the several
Underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of Class G Common
Stock offered hereby is subject to the approval of certain legal matters by
their counsel and to certain other conditions.  The Underwriters are committed
to take and pay for all the shares of Class G Common Stock offered hereby
(other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any
such shares are taken, provided that, under certain circumstances relating to a
default of one or more Underwriters, less than all of such shares may be
purchased.  Default by one or more Underwriters would not relieve the
non-defaulting Underwriters from their several obligations, and in the event of
such default, CMS Energy would have the right to require the non-defaulting
Underwriters to purchase the respective number of shares of Class G Common
Stock which they have severally agreed to purchase and, in addition, to
purchase shares of Class G Common Stock which the defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters shall have so failed to purchase up to a number thereof equal to
one-ninth of the respective numbers of shares of Class G Common Stock which
such non-defaulting Underwriters have otherwise agreed to purchase.

 The Underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of Class G
Common Stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on
the cover page hereof and part to certain dealers at a price which represents a
concession not in excess of $___ per share under the public offering price. The
Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in
excess of $___ per share of Class G Common Stock to other Underwriters or to
certain dealers.  After the initial offering, the offering price and other
selling terms may from time to time be varied upon the mutual agreement of the
Representatives.

 Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, CMS Energy has granted to the
Underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this
Prospectus, to purchase up to an additional __________ shares of Class G Common
Stock at the public offering price set forth on the cover page hereof, less
underwriting discounts and commissions.  The Underwriters may exercise such
option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any.  To the
extent such option is exercised, each


                                     -98-
<PAGE>   129

Underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase
approximately the same percentage of such additional shares of Class G Common
Stock as the number set forth next to such Underwriter's name in the preceding
table bears to the total number of shares offered by the Underwriters hereby.

 CMS Energy has agreed that, without the prior written consent of the
Representatives, it will not offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose
of any shares of (a) Class G Common Stock, or any securities (other than CMS
Energy Common Stock) convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class
G Common Stock, for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus, (b)
CMS Energy Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for CMS Energy Common Stock for a period of 90 days after the date
of this Prospectus, provided that CMS Energy may, during such periods, issue
shares of Common Stock under its Dividend Reinvestment and Option Cash Payment
Plan, Performance Incentive Stock Plan, Employee Stock Ownership and Employee
Savings and Incentive Plan.

 CMS Energy has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.  From time
to time certain of the Underwriters have been retained to provide and continue
to provide investment banking services to CMS Energy or Consumers.

PRICING OF OFFERING

 Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the shares of Class
G Common Stock.  The initial public offering price will be determined by
negotiation among CMS Energy and the Representatives.  Among the factors to be
considered in determining the initial public offering price will be the
Consumers Gas Group's results of operations, the Consumers Gas Group's current
financial condition and future prospects, the experience of its management, the
industry in general, the general condition of the equity securities market and
the price-earnings ratios and market prices of securities of companies
considered comparable to the Consumers Gas Group.  There can be no assurance
that a regular trading market for the shares of Class G Common Stock will
develop after the offering or, if developed, that a public trading market can
be sustained.  There can also be no assurance that the prices at which the
Class G Common Stock will sell in the public market after the offering will not
be lower than the price at which it is sold by the Underwriters in the
offering.


                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

 Opinions as to the legality of the Class G Common Stock will be rendered for
CMS Energy by Sidley & Austin, Chicago, Illinois, counsel to CMS Energy, and
Denise M. Sturdy, Assistant General Counsel for CMS Energy.  Certain legal
matters with respect to the Class G Common Stock will be passed upon by Reid &
Priest LLP, New York, New York, counsel for the Underwriters.


                                    EXPERTS

 The consolidated financial statements and schedules of CMS Energy as of
December 31, 1993 and 1992, and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1993 included or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus,
have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP (formerly Arthur Andersen & Co.),
independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect
thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.  Reference is made
to said reports which include an explanatory

                                     -99-
<PAGE>   130

paragraph with respect to the change in the method of accounting for income
taxes in 1992 as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements
and with respect to the change in the method of accounting for postretirement
benefits other than pensions in 1992 as discussed in Note 10 to the
consolidated financial statements.

 With respect to the unaudited interim consolidated financial information for
the periods ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 1994 and 1993, Arthur
Andersen LLP has applied limited procedures in accordance with professional
standards for a review of such information.  However, their separate report
thereon states that they did not audit and they did not express an opinion on
that interim consolidated financial information.  Accordingly, the degree of
reliance on their report on that information should be restricted in light of
the limited nature of the review procedures applied.  In addition, the
accountants are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), for their report on the
unaudited interim consolidated financial information because that report is not
a "report" or "part" of the registration statement prepared or certified by the
accountants within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.

 Future consolidated financial statements of CMS Energy and the reports thereon
of Arthur Andersen LLP also will be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus in reliance upon the authority of that firm as experts in giving
those reports to the extent that said firm has audited said consolidated
financial statements and consented to the use of their reports thereon.


                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 CMS Energy is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act,
and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the
Commission.  Information, as of particular dates, concerning CMS Energy's
directors and officers, their remuneration, the principal holders of CMS Energy
is disclosed in proxy statements distributed to shareholders of CMS Energy and
filed with the Commission.  Such reports, proxy statements and other
information may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices located at 500
West Madison Street, 14th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and at Seven World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048.  Copies of such materials
can be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at
450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.  The
outstanding CMS Energy Common Stock is, and the Class G Common Stock is
expected to be, listed on the NYSE and reports, proxy statements and other
information concerning CMS Energy may also be inspected and copied at the
offices of such exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.





                                    -100-
<PAGE>   131

                                                                      APPENDIX I

                                    GLOSSARY


   Unless otherwise indicated, page number references are to pages in the body
of the Prospectus and the financial statements attached thereto.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Term                                             Page Where Definition Appears
- ----                                             -----------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>
ABATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 72
Additional Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 37
ALJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 74
AMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-12
ANR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 6
Articles  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 19
Articles of Incorporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 4
Attorney General  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 23
Available Class G Dividend Amount . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 87
Big Rock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-34
Board of Directors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 1
Business Day  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 90
base period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 34
Bcf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 4
BTU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-56
calculation date  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 87
Certificate of Amendment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 4
Class G Common Stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 1
Clean Air Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 74
CMS Energy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 1
CMS Energy Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 1
CMS Gas Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 83
CMS Generation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 81
CMS Generation S.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 82
CMS Holdings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 73
CMS Midland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-37
Commission  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 3
Common Stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 14
Consumers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 1
Consumers Gas Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 1
Consumers Gas Group Notes   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 55
Convertible Securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 88
Court of Appeals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 22
Credit Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 32
Detroit Edison  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 76
Disposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 90
DNR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 60
DOE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 75
DSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 69
Energy Act  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-42
</TABLE>





                                      I-1
<PAGE>   132

<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 8
EPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 75
Environmental Response Act  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 47
Exchange Act  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 3
FASB  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 61
FERC  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 4
Fair Market Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 90
15% Premium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 26
FMLP  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 73
Gas Distribution Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 4
Gas Group Fraction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 87
Gas Group Subsidiary  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 89
GCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 45
GPSLP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 81
GTNs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 33
GTN Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 32
HYDRA-CO  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 69
Incorporated Documents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 3
Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 32
ITC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-12
KW  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 7
kWh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 71
Ludington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-40
Mcf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 6
MBCA  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 91
MCV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 70
MCV Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 68
MCV Facility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 22
MCV Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 5
MGL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 73
MGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 1
MichCon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 84
Michigan Cogeneration Partners  . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 73
MMbtu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-56
MMCG  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 23
MOAPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-48
Mortgage Indenture  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 19
MPSC  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 4
MW  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 21
NEIL  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-35
NML . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-35
NGVs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 7
North Michigan  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 48
NOMECO  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 68
NYSE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 9
NRC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 22
O&M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 54
Offering  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 3
Order 636 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 46
Oxford  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 83
Palisades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 22
Panhandle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 6
PCRB  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 68
</TABLE>





                                      I-2
<PAGE>   133

<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
Pension Plan  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-19
Plateau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-36
PPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 21
Preferred Stock   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 86
Proxy Capital Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 21
PSCR  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 22
PUHCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 23
Representatives   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 98
Retained Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 94
Retained Interest Fraction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 16
Retained Interest Shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 87
Restricted Payment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 32
Revised Settlement Proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-37
Risk Service Contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 80
Secured Credit Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 68
Securities Act  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 100
Series A Notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-14
Series B Notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-14
SERP  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page F-18
Settlement Order  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 22
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 97
SFAS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 57
Substantially all of the properties and assets
  attributed to the Consumers Gas Group . . . . . . . .        Page 90
Superfund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 75
10% Premium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 26
Trunkline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 6
Underwriters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 98
Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 49
US Court of Appeals   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 48
Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association  . . . . . .        Page F-17
Walter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Page 69
</TABLE>





                                      I-3
<PAGE>   134

                                                                     APPENDIX II


              CLASS G COMMON STOCK RETAINED INTEREST ILLUSTRATIONS

                 The following illustration reflects the calculations of the
Retained Interest based on the assumptions set forth herein and using the 60
million authorized shares of the Class G Common Stock, of which 25 million
shares have been deemed to represent 100% of the common stockholders' equity of
CMS Energy attributable to the Consumers Gas Group, as diagramed below:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    After Offering
                           Before Offering                       (as discussed below)
                           ---------------                       --------------------
                         <S>                                    <C>
                         35 million Additional                  35 million Additional
                            Shares                                 Shares

                         25 million Retained                    20 million Retained
                            Interest Shares                        Interest Shares

                                                                 5 million Outstanding
                                                                   Shares
</TABLE>



OFFERING OF CLASS G COMMON STOCK

         .       A total of 5 million shares sold in the Offering.  Such shares
                 will be entitled to vote and, in the aggregate, will represent
                 an interest in the earnings and equity of CMS Energy
                 attributable to the Consumers Gas Group equal to the Gas Group
                 Fraction, in this case 20%.

         .       The Gas Group Fraction, which represents the fractional
                 interest in the earnings and equity of CMS Energy attributable
                 to the Consumers Gas Group that is held by the holders of the
                 outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock, is equal to the
                 following fraction:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Outstanding Shares of Class G Common Stock     
                          ------------------------------------------------------
                          <S>                       <C> 
                          Outstanding Shares of     +   Retained Interest Shares
                          Class G Common Stock
</TABLE>

                 or in the foregoing case,

<TABLE>
                 <S>                            <C>
                          5 million               
                 -----------------------------  = 20%
                    5 million + 20 million
</TABLE>

         .       The balance of the shares deemed to represent 100% of the CMS
                 Energy common stockholders' equity value attributed to the
                 Consumers Gas Group (25 million minus 5 million, or 20
                 million) will represent the Retained Interest Shares, which
                 remain attributed to CMS Energy at the conclusion of the
                 Offering.  The Retained Interest Shares will not be issued,
                 outstanding or entitled to vote.  CMS Energy's Retained
                 Interest in the Consumers Gas Group is equal to one minus the
                 Gas Group Fraction, in this case 80%.





                                      II-1
<PAGE>   135

<TABLE>
                                  <S>                                  <C>
                                  1 -         5 million                =  80%
                                       ------------------------------        
                                        5 million +  20 million

</TABLE>


         .       After the Offering, CMS Energy will have 55 million authorized
                 and unissued shares of Class G Common Stock remaining (60
                 million minus 5 million issued and outstanding).  Authorized
                 and unissued shares may be issued without further action by
                 shareholders and would result in the reduction of the
                 percentage equity interest of existing holders and may be
                 issued at prices which could dilute the equity interest of
                 existing shareholders.  Issuance of Retained Interest Shares,
                 however, would not dilute earnings per share of the Consumers
                 Gas Group because the number of shares that would be used in
                 the denominator for such calculation would remain the same
                 after any such issue.

         .       In addition, with a Gas Group Fraction of 20% (and a Retained
                 Interest of 80%) the financial statements of the Consumers Gas
                 Group are charged in respect of the Retained Interest, with an
                 amount equal to four times (representing the ratio of the 20
                 million Retained Interest Shares to the 5 million shares
                 outstanding) the aggregate amount of any dividend or other
                 distribution paid on the Class G Common Stock.  When for
                 example, a cash dividend of $.20 per share is declared and
                 paid on the 5 million shares of Class G Common Stock
                 outstanding (an aggregate of $1 million), the Consumers Gas
                 Group financial statements are charged, through an adjustment
                 to the cash balance attributable to the Consumers Gas Group,
                 with $4 million in addition to the $1 million dividend (an
                 aggregate of $5 million).  Thus, the Consumers Gas Group is
                 treated as having paid a cash dividend on not only the
                 outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock but also on each of
                 the Retained Interest Shares.

         .       Any additional shares sold in the Offering to cover
                 over-allotments by the Underwriters will be attributed to the
                 Retained Interest and will increase the Gas Group Fraction and
                 reduce the Retained Interest accordingly.

ADDITIONAL OFFERING OF CLASS G COMMON STOCK

         The following illustrations reflect the sale of 5 million shares of
Class G Common Stock subsequent to the Offering.

         A.  Additional Offering of Shares other than Retained Interest Shares

                 All such shares are identified as representing an additional
         equity interest in the Consumers Gas Group, with the net proceeds
         reflected in the financial statements of the Consumers Gas Group.
         Such shares may be issued at prices which dilute the equity interest
         of the holders of the outstanding shares.

<TABLE>  
                 <S>                                                                                             <C>
                 Shares previously issued and outstanding   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    5 million
                 Newly issued shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    5 million
                                                                                                                  ----------
                                                                                                   
                 Total issued and outstanding after the                                            
                     second offering  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10 million
                                                                                                                  ==========
</TABLE> 

         .       CMS Energy would have 50 million authorized and unissued
                 shares of Class G Common Stock remaining (60 million minus 10
                 million issued and outstanding), 20 million of which would be
                 Retained Interest Shares.





                                      II-2
<PAGE>   136

         .       The total issued and outstanding shares (10 million) would in
                 the aggregate represent a Gas Group Fraction of 33.3%,
                 calculated as follows:

<TABLE> 
                 <S>                              <C>
                         10 million                =  33.3%
                 --------------------------------             
                     10 million + 20 million
</TABLE>

                 The 20 million Retained Interest Shares would accordingly
represent an interest of 66.7% in such earnings and equity.

         .       In this case, the financial statements of the Consumers Gas
                 Group would be charged, with an amount equal to two times
                 (representing the ratio of the 20 million Retained Interest
                 Shares to the 10 million shares outstanding) the aggregate
                 amount of any dividend or other distribution paid on the Class
                 G Common Stock.  The Consumers Gas Group therefore would be
                 treated as having paid a dividend or other distribution on not
                 only the outstanding shares of Class G Common Stock but also
                 on each of the Retained Interest Shares.

         B.  Additional Offering From the Retained Interest Shares

                 All of such shares are identified as Retained Interest Shares,
         with none of the net proceeds being reflected in the financial
         statements of the Consumers Gas Group.

<TABLE> 
                 <S>                                                                                            <C>
                 Shares previously issued and outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5 million
                 Newly issued shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5 million
                                                                                                                ----------
                                                                                             
                 Total issued and outstanding after the                                      
                      second offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 million
                                                                                                                ==========
</TABLE>

         .       CMS Energy would have 50 million authorized and unissued
                 shares of Class G Common Stock remaining (60 million minus 10
                 million issued and outstanding), 15 million of which would be
                 Retained Interest Shares.

         .       The total issued and outstanding shares (10 million) would in
                 the aggregate represent a Gas Group Fraction of 40%,
                 calculated as follows:

<TABLE>
                 <S>                               <C>
                         10 million                =  40%
                 ---------------------------------           
                      10 million + 15 million
</TABLE>

         .       The remaining 15 million Retained Interest Shares would
                 accordingly represent an interest of 60% in such earnings 
                 and equity.

         .       Even if CMS Energy issues all shares deemed to represent the
                 Retained Interest Shares at a particular point in time (and
                 the Gas Group Fraction accordingly would become 100%), CMS
                 Energy could still attribute assets and property to the
                 Consumers Gas Group which would increase above zero the
                 Retained Interest Shares and would accordingly reduce the Gas
                 Group Fraction.  See "Attribution of Assets between CMS Energy
                 and Consumers Gas Group -- Attribution of Additional Assets,
                 Including Equity Infusions, from CMS Energy to Consumers Gas
                 Group."





                                      II-3
<PAGE>   137

ATTRIBUTION OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN CMS ENERGY AND CONSUMERS GAS GROUP

                 The following illustrations reflect equity infusions resulting
from the assumed attribution (whether contributed or deemed to have been
contributed by a regulatory agency and required by such agency to be accounted
for as such), after the assumed initial issuance of 5 million shares of Class G
Common Stock attributable to the Retained Interest, of $100 million of net
assets (consisting of $150 million of assets and $50 million of liabilities
related thereto) on a date on which the Fair Market Value of a share of Class G
Common Stock is $25 per share.

         A.      Attribution of Additional Net Assets from CMS Energy to
                 Consumers Gas Group

                 Assume the attribution of net assets by CMS Energy to the
                 Consumers Gas Group.

<TABLE>
                 <S>                                                              <C>
                 Shares previously issued and
                   outstanding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       5 million
                 Newly issued shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       0        
                                                                                 ----------

                 Total issued and outstanding
                   after attribution  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       5 million
                                                                                 ==========
</TABLE>

         .       The Retained Interest Shares would be increased to reflect the
                 attribution of net assets to the Consumers Gas Group by the
                 number equal to the value of the net assets allocated ($100
                 million) divided by the Fair Market Value of a share of Class
                 G Common Stock at that time ($25), or 4 million shares.

<TABLE>
                 <S>                                                             <C>
                 Retained Interest Shares prior
                   to attribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      20 million
                 Increase to reflect attribution to
                   Consumers Gas Group  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       4 million
                                                                                 ----------

                 Retained Interest Shares after
                   attribution  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      24 million
                                                                                 ==========
</TABLE>

         .       As a result, the total issued and outstanding shares (5
                 million) would in the aggregate represent a Gas Group Fraction
                 of 17.2%, calculated as follows:

<TABLE>
                                                              <S>                             <C>
                                                                     5 million                =  17.2%
                                                        ---------------------------------             
                                                              5 million + 24 million
</TABLE>

         The Retained Interest as a percentage would accordingly be increased
         to 82.8%.

   .     CMS Energy would have 55 million authorized and unissued shares of
         Class G Common Stock (60 million minus 5 million issued and
         outstanding).





                                      II-4
<PAGE>   138


         B.      Attribution of Net Assets from Consumers Gas Group to CMS
                 Energy

                 Assume the attribution of net assets attributed to the
                 Consumers Gas Group to CMS Energy

<TABLE>
                 <S>                                                             <C>
                 Shares Previously issued and
                   outstanding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      5 million
                 Newly Issued Shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      0        
                                                                                 ---------

                 Total issued and outstanding
                   after attribution  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      5 million
                                                                                 =========
</TABLE>

         .       The Retained Interest Shares would be decreased to reflect the
                 attribution by CMS Energy of net assets attributed to the
                 Consumers Gas Group to CMS Energy by the number equal to the
                 value of the net assets attributed ($100 million) divided by
                 the Fair Market Value of a share of Class G Common Stock at
                 that time ($25), or 4 million shares.

<TABLE>
                 <S>                                                             <C>
                 Retained Interest Shares prior to
                   attribution  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      20 million
                 Decrease to reflect attribution to the
                   CMS Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      -4 million
                                                                                 ----------

                 Retained Interest Shares after
                   attribution  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       16 million
                                                                                  ==========
</TABLE>

         .       As a result, the total issued and outstanding shares (5
                 million) would in the aggregate represent a Gas Group Fraction
                 of 23.8%, calculated as follows:

<TABLE>
                 <S>                              <C>
                        5 million                 =  23.8%
                 --------------------------------              
                     5 million + 16 million
</TABLE>


         The Retained Interest as a percentage would accordingly decrease to
76.2%.

         .       CMS Energy would have 55 million authorized and unissued
                 shares of Class G Common Stock (60 million minus 5 million
                 issued and outstanding).

REPURCHASES OF CLASS G COMMON STOCK

         The following illustrations reflect an assumed repurchase of 3 million
shares of Class G Common Stock after the assumed initial issuance of 5 million
shares of Class G Common Stock.





                                      II-5
<PAGE>   139


         A.  Repurchase With Assets Not Attributed to the Consumers Gas Group

                 All of such shares are identified as repurchased with assets
         not attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, with no charge to the
         financial statements of the Consumers Gas Group for the consideration
         paid for such shares, resulting in an increase in CMS Energy's
         Retained Interest in the Consumers Gas Group.

<TABLE>
                 <S>                                                             <C>
                 Shares previously issued and
                   outstanding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       5 million
                 Shares repurchased with assets not attributed to
                   the Consumers Gas Group  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      -3 million
                                                                                 ----------

                 Total issued and outstanding
                   after repurchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       2 million
                                                                                 ==========
</TABLE>

         .       The Retained Interest Shares would be increased by the number
                 of shares of Class G Common Stock repurchased as noted above.

<TABLE>
                 <S>                                                             <C>
                 Retained Interest Shares prior to
                   repurchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      20 million

                 Number of shares repurchased
                   with assets not attributed to
                   the Consumers Gas Group  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       3 million
                                                                                 ----------

                 Number of Retained Interest Shares after
                   repurchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      23 million
                                                                                 ==========
</TABLE>

         .       As a result, the total issued and outstanding shares (2
                 million) would in the aggregate represent a Gas Group Fraction
                 of 8%, calculated as follows:

<TABLE>
                 <S>                           <C>
                       2 million               =  8%
                 ---------------------------        
                    2 million + 23 million
</TABLE>

         The Retained Interest as a percentage would accordingly be increased
         to 92%.

         .       The shares repurchased would no longer be outstanding or
                 entitled to vote and thereafter CMS Energy would have 58
                 million authorized and unissued shares of Class G Common Stock
                 (60 million minus 2 million issued and outstanding).

         B.  Repurchase With Assets Attributed to the Consumers Gas Group

                 Assume all of such shares are identified as repurchased with
         assets attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, with the financial
         statements of the Consumers Gas Group being charged entirely with the
         consideration paid for such shares.





                                      II-6
<PAGE>   140


<TABLE>
                 <S>                                                             <C>
                 Shares previously issued and
                   outstanding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       5 million
                 Shares repurchased with assets attributed
                   to the Consumers Gas Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      -3 million
                                                                                 ----------

                 Total issued and outstanding
                   after repurchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       2 million
                                                                                 ==========
</TABLE>

         .       The Retained Interest Shares (20 million) would remain
                 unchanged.

         .       As a result, the total issued and outstanding shares (2
                 million) would in the aggregate represent a Gas Group Fraction
                 of 9.1%, calculated as follows:

<TABLE>
                 <S>                          <C>
                       2 million              =  9.1%
                 ---------------------------         
                   2 million + 20 million
</TABLE>


         The Retained Interest as a percentage would accordingly be increased
         to 90.9%.

         .       The shares repurchased would no longer be outstanding or
                 entitled to vote and thereafter CMS Energy would have 58
                 million authorized and unissued shares of Class G Common Stock
                 (60 million minus 2 million issued and outstanding).





                                      II-7
<PAGE>   141





                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      Page
                                                                                                      ----
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        F-3

Consumers Gas Group Statements of Income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        F-4

Consumers Gas Group Statements of Cash Flows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        F-5

Consumers Gas Group Balance Sheets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        F-6

Consumers Gas Group Notes to Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        F-7

Report of Independent Public Accountants  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        F-25

CMS Energy Consolidated Statements of Income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        F-26
                                                                                                     
CMS Energy Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        F-27

CMS Energy Consolidated Balance Sheets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        F-28

CMS Energy Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholders' Equity   . . . . . . . . . . . . .        F-30

CMS Energy Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        F-31
</TABLE>

                            ________________________





                                      F-1
<PAGE>   142


                EXPLANATORY NOTE REGARDING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

         Effective upon completion of the Offering, CMS Energy will have
outstanding two classes of Common Stock:  Class G Common Stock, which is
intended to reflect the performance of the Consumers Gas Group; and CMS Energy
Common Stock, which is intended to reflect the performance of CMS Energy (which
will also reflect the performance of the Consumers Gas Group to the extent of
the Retained Interest).

         Although the financial statements of the Consumers Gas Group will
separately report the assets, liabilities (including contingent liabilities)
and shareholders' equity of CMS Energy attributed to the Consumers Gas Group,
such attribution will not affect CMS Energy's legal title to such assets or
responsibility for such liabilities.  Holders of Class G Common Stock will be,
and holders of CMS Energy Common Stock are, shareholders of CMS Energy, which
continues to be responsible for all of its liabilities.  Financial results
arising from the business of CMS Energy (including its Retained Interest in the
Consumers Gas Group) or from the business of the Consumers Gas Group could
affect the market price of both classes of Common Stock.  In addition, any net
losses of CMS Energy or the Consumers Gas Group, and dividends or distributions
on, or repurchases of, either class of Common Stock will reduce the assets of
CMS Energy legally available for payment of dividends on both classes of Common
Stock.  Accordingly, CMS Energy's consolidated financial information should be
read in conjunction with the Consumers Gas Group's financial information.





                                      F-2
<PAGE>   143

                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


To CMS Energy Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of CONSUMERS GAS GROUP
(representing a business unit of Consumers Power Company ("Consumers") and its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Michigan Gas Storage Company) as of December 31, 1993
and 1992, and the related statements of income, and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1993.  These financial statements
are the responsibility of the management of CMS Energy Corporation (the
"Company"), the parent of Consumers.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Consumers Gas Group as of
December 31, 1993 and 1992, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1993 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 4 to the financial statements, effective January 1, 1992,
Consumers changed its method of accounting for income taxes.  As discussed in
Note 9 to the financial statements, effective January 1, 1992, Consumers
changed its method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than
pensions.  Additionally, as discussed in Note 6 to the financial statements,
Consumers effected a quasi-reorganization on December 31, 1992.

                              Arthur Andersen LLP

Detroit, Michigan
December 1, 1994
(except with respect to the matter discussed in
Note 2 as to which the date is February 14, 1995)





                                      F-3
<PAGE>   144

                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP

                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NINE MONTHS
                                                                              ENDED
                                                                          SEPTEMBER 30,         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          --------- ---         ----- ----- -------- ---
                                                                         1994         1993      1993         1992       1991
                                                                         ----         ----      ----         ----       ----
                                                                             (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                              IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                        <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>
Operating Revenue                                                          $837        $809      $1,160     $1,126      $1,061
                                                                         ------      ------     -------    -------     -------
Operating Expenses
  Operation
    Cost of gas sold                                                        475         473         678        673         677
    Other                                                                   137         125         171        177         172
                                                                         ------      ------     -------    -------     -------
         Total operation                                                    612         598         849        850         849
Maintenance                                                                  29          25          38         37          27
Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                     51          49          73         76          70
General taxes                                                                39          41          54         54          51
                                                                         ------      ------     -------    -------     -------
         Total operating expenses                                           731         713       1,014      1,017         997
                                                                         ------      ------     -------    -------     -------
Pretax Operating Income                                                     106          96         146        109          64
Income Taxes                                                                 32          27          39         35           2
                                                                         ------      ------     -------    -------     -------
Net Operating Income                                                         74          69         107         74          62
                                                                         ------      ------     -------    -------     -------
Other Income (Deductions)                                                    (1)         (1)         (2)        (3)          3
                                                                         ------      ------     -------    -------     -------
Fixed Charges
  Interest on long-term debt                                                 22          22          31         28          41
  Other interest                                                              3           4           7          1          21
  Capitalized interest                                                        -           -          (1)         -           -
  Preferred dividends                                                         3           1           2          2           2
                                                                         ------      ------     -------    -------     -------
         Net fixed charges                                                   28          27          39         31          64
                                                                         ------      ------     -------    -------     -------
Net Income                                                                 $ 45        $ 41      $   66     $   40      $    1
                                                                         ======      ======     =======    =======     =======
</TABLE>



        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.





                                      F-4
<PAGE>   145

                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NINE MONTHS
                                                                              ENDED
                                                                          SEPTEMBER 30,         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          --------- ---         ----- ----- -------- ---
                                                                         1994         1993      1993         1992       1991
                                                                         ----         ----      ----         ----       ----
                                                                             (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                              IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income                                                                 $ 45       $  41       $  66      $  40       $   1
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                 51          49          73         76          70
    Debt discount and capital lease amortization                              3           2           5          8           8
    Deferred income taxes and investment tax credit                           6           -           4         (4)         (5)
    Changes in other assets and liabilities
       (Note 12)                                                             12         (94)        (68)       (14)        106
                                                                           ----       -----       -----      -----       -----
      Net cash provided by operating activities                             117          (2)         80        106         180
                                                                           ====       =====       =====      =====       =====
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures (excludes assets placed under
  capital leases) (Note 12)                                                 (83)       (107)       (153)      (107)        (68)
Other                                                                        (5)         (5)         (6)         3          (3)
                                                                           ----       -----       -----      -----       -----
      Net cash used in investing activities                                 (88)       (112)       (159)      (104)        (71)
                                                                           ====       =====       =====      =====       =====
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net                                     1         120          86        (52)         68
Retirement of bonds                                                         (29)          -        (121)         -        (109)
Payment of bank loans                                                       (33)         (2)          -          -         (57)
Payment of common stock dividends                                           (30)        (21)        (47)         -         (13)
Payment of capital lease obligations                                         (3)         (3)         (5)        (8)         (7)
Contribution from stockholder                                                22           -           -          -           -
Proceeds from preferred stock                                                42           -           -          -           -
Proceeds from bonds                                                           -           -         155         38           -
Proceeds from bank loans                                                      -           9           2         25           -
                                                                           ----       -----       -----      -----       -----
      Net cash provided by (used in)
        financing activities                                                (30)        103          70          3        (118)
                                                                           ====       =====       =====      =====       =====
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND TEMPORARY
  CASH INVESTMENTS:                                                          (1)        (11)         (9)         5          (9)
Cash and temporary cash investments
         Beginning of period                                                  4          13          13          8          17
                                                                           ----       -----       -----      -----       -----
         End of period                                                     $  3       $   2       $   4      $  13       $   8
                                                                           ====       =====       =====      =====       =====
</TABLE>





        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.





                                      F-5
<PAGE>   146

                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          SEPTEMBER 30,      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                          --------- ---      -------- ---
                                                                                                 1994        1993       1992
                                                                                                 ----        ----       ----
                                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                         IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                                              <C>        <C>         <C>
ASSETS
Plant and Property (At Cost)
  Plant                                                                                          $2,014     $1,939      $1,818
  Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization                                       1,103      1,061       1,015
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
                                                                                                    911        878         803
  Construction work-in-progress                                                                      57         53          43
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
                                                                                                    968        931         846
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
Current Assets
  Cash and temporary cash investments at cost, which approximates
    market                                                                                            3          4          13
  Accounts receivable and accrued revenues, less allowances of $2 at
    September 30, 1994 and in 1993 and 1992 (Note 5)                                                 24         79          85
  Inventories at average cost
    Gas in underground storage                                                                      271        228         204
    Materials and supplies                                                                           10         10          10
  Trunkline settlement (Note 3)                                                                      30         31          30
  Deferred income taxes (Note 4)                                                                     11          9           4
  Prepayments and other                                                                              22         57          66
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
                                                                                                    371        418         412
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
Non-Current Assets
  Postretirement benefits (Note 9)                                                                  158        159         151
  Trunkline settlement (Note 3)                                                                      63         86         116
  Deferred income taxes (Note 4)                                                                      -          3          18
  Other                                                                                              65         31          31
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
                                                                                                    286        279         316
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
Total Assets                                                                                     $1,625     $1,628      $1,574
                                                                                                 ======     ======      ======

STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT AND LIABILITIES

Capitalization (Note 6)
  Common stockholders' equity                                                                    $  325     $  288      $  269
  Preferred stock                                                                                    78         36          36
  Long-term debt                                                                                    343        376         392
  Non-current portion of capital leases                                                              18         18          21
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
                                                                                                    764        718         718
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
Current Liabilities
  Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases                                               53         82          28
  Notes payable                                                                                     110        109          23
  Accounts payable                                                                                   69         67          74
  Accrued refunds                                                                                    31         20          30
  Trunkline settlement (Note 3)                                                                      30         30          30
  Accrued taxes                                                                                      25         62          94
  Accrued interest                                                                                    7          9           9
  Other                                                                                              63         70          64
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
                                                                                                    388        449         352
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
Non-Current Liabilities
  Postretirement benefits (Note 9)                                                                  176        171         161
  Regulatory liabilities for income taxes, net (Note 4)                                             137        131         135
  Trunkline settlement (Note 3)                                                                      63         86         116
  Deferred investment tax credits                                                                    31         32          34
  Other                                                                                              66         41          58
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
                                                                                                    473        461         504
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
  Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 2, 3 and 11)
Total Stockholders' Investment and Liabilities                                                   $1,625     $1,628      $1,574
                                                                                                 ======     ======      ======
</TABLE>

        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                      F-6
<PAGE>   147

                              CONSUMERS GAS GROUP

                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.  CORPORATE STRUCTURE

         CMS Energy is the parent holding company of Consumers and Enterprises.
Consumers, a combination electric and gas utility company serving most of the
Lower Peninsula of Michigan, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy.
Consumers' customer base includes a mix of residential, commercial and
diversified industrial customers, the largest of which is the automotive
industry.  Enterprises is engaged in several non-utility energy-related
businesses including: 1) oil and gas exploration and production, 2) development
and operation of independent power production facilities, 3) gas marketing
services to end-users and 4) transmission and storage of natural gas.

         In September 1994, management announced that Consumers is being
internally reorganized into separate electric utility and gas utility strategic
business units.  The restructuring, effective January 1, 1995, while not
affecting Consumers' consolidated financial statements or corporate legal form,
is designed to sharpen management focus, improve efficiency and accountability
in both business segments and better position Consumers for growth in the gas
market and to meet increased competition in the electric power market.
Management believes that the strategic business unit structure will allow each
unit to focus more on its own profitability and growth potential, and will
ultimately, in the long term, result in lower overall costs.

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER MATTERS

  Basis of Presentation

         CMS Energy is seeking shareholder approval to amend its Articles of
Incorporation and authorize a new class of Common Stock of CMS Energy.  This
proposed new class of Common Stock, designated Class G Common Stock, will
reflect the separate performance of the gas distribution, storage and
transportation businesses conducted by Consumers and Michigan Gas Storage (such
businesses, collectively, will be attributed to the Consumers Gas Group). The
existing CMS Energy Common Stock will continue to be outstanding and, if and
after any shares of Class G Common Stock are issued by CMS Energy, will be
intended to reflect the performance of all of the businesses of CMS Energy and
its subsidiaries, including the business of the Consumers Gas Group, except for
the interest in the Consumers Gas Group attributable to the outstanding shares
of the Class G Common Stock.

         Following approval of the New Stock Proposal by the shareholders, CMS
Energy may, subject to prevailing market and other conditions, to offer shares
of Class G Common Stock for sale for cash in an initial public offering.  The
net proceeds of such offering would be invested in the businesses of CMS Energy
and used for its general corporate purposes.  Initially, such proceeds will be
used to repay a portion of the debt of CMS Energy (none of which is
attributable to the Consumers Gas Group). The timing and size of such public
offering and the price at which such shares would be sold would be determined
by the Board of Directors without further approval of the shareholders.
However, shares of Class G Common Stock intended to represent up to
approximately 30 percent of the common stockholders' equity value attributed to
the Consumers Gas Group are currently expected to be offered to the public in
the initial public offering.  Such offer will be made only by prospectus and
after a Registration Statement filed with respect thereto by CMS Energy under
the Securities Act of 1933 has become effective.  An application will be filed
to list the Class G Common Stock for trading on the NYSE in connection with any
such offer.  Additional authorized shares of Class G Common Stock could be
offered by CMS Energy in the future at





                                      F-7
<PAGE>   148

the discretion of the Board of Directors and without further shareholder
approval.

         Consumers is a regulated utility.  Accordingly, the majority of the
accounting allocation policies described within these notes have a
long-standing basis and have historically been used in proceedings conducted
before the MPSC.  The financial statements for the Consumers Gas Group have
been prepared based upon consistent methods that management believes are
reasonable and appropriate to reflect its financial position, results of
operations and cash flows.  Where appropriate, the financial statements reflect
the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses directly related to the
Consumers Gas Group.  However, in instances where common accounts (containing
both electric and gas activities) were not readily attributable to a single
business segment, management allocated to the Consumers Gas Group's financial
statements based on certain measures of business activities, such as gas
revenues, salaries, other O&M expenditures, number of gas customers in
relationship to total utility customers and/or functional use surveys.
Management believes the attributions are reasonable.

         Although the financial statements of Consumers Gas Group separately
report the assets, liabilities and stockholders' equity, legal title to such
assets and the responsibility for such liabilities are not separately
identifiable to a specific class of Common Stock.  Therefore, the creditors of
CMS Energy are unaffected by the implementation of the Consumers Gas Group,
because all assets of the corporation remain available to satisfy all
liabilities.  The holders of CMS Energy Common Stock and the proposed Class G
Common Stock continue to be subject to all risks associated with investments in
CMS Energy.  Holders of Class G Common Stock have no direct rights in the
equity or assets of Consumers Gas Group, but rather have rights in the equity
and assets of CMS Energy.  Accordingly, CMS Energy's consolidated financial
statements and related notes included within this Prospectus should be read in
conjunction with these financial statements.

  Principles Applied in Financial Statements

         The financial statements of the Consumers Gas Group incorporate
Consumers' natural gas utility business and the related business of Michigan
Gas Storage.  The Consumers Gas Group and the remaining business segments of
CMS Energy comprise all of the accounts included in the consolidated financial
statements of CMS Energy.

         The financial statements of Consumers Gas Group were prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on a consistent basis.
Any future changes in accounting policy not mandated by appropriate authorities
must be, in management's opinion, preferable to the policy in place and must be
disclosed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

         For presentation purposes, all material transactions between companies
within the Consumers Gas Group have been eliminated. Amounts as of, and for,
and pertaining to the nine month periods ended September 30, 1994 and 1993
included herein are unaudited.

  Dividend Policy

         Dividends on the Class G Common Stock will be paid at the discretion
of the Board of Directors based primarily upon the earnings and financial
condition of the Consumers Gas Group, and, to a lesser extent, CMS Energy as a
whole.  Dividends will be payable out of the lesser of (i) the assets of CMS
Energy legally available therefor and (ii) the Available Class G Dividend
Amount.

         Dividends with respect to the Class G Common Stock are expected to be
paid commensurate with dividend practices of comparable publicly-held local
natural gas distribution companies generally.  Management believes that such
practices





                                      F-8
<PAGE>   149

currently are to pay out from 70 percent to 85 percent of annual earnings
available for dividends on common stock.

         CMS Energy, in the sole discretion of its Board of Directors, could
pay dividends exclusively to the holders of CMS Energy Common Stock,
exclusively to the holders of Class G Common Stock, or to the holders of both
of such classes in equal or unequal amounts.  It is the Board of Directors'
current intention that the declaration or payment of dividends with respect to
the Class G Common Stock shall not be reduced, suspended or eliminated as a
result of factors arising out of or relating to the electric utility businesses
or the non-utility business of CMS Energy unless such factors also require, in
the Board of Directors' sole discretion, the omission of the declaration or
reduction in payment of dividends on both the CMS Energy Common Stock and the
Class G Common Stock.

         In making its dividend decisions with respect to the Class G Common
Stock, the Board of Directors will rely on the financial statements of the
Consumers Gas Group, as well as, to a lesser extent, the consolidated financial
statements of CMS Energy.  The method of calculating earnings per share for the
Class G Common Stock reflects the intent of the Board of Directors that the
separately reported assets and earnings of the Consumers Gas Group are to be
the source for payment of, and the basis for determining, dividends to be paid
on the Class G Common Stock, although liquidation rights of the Class G Common
Stock and legally available assets of CMS Energy are based on different
factors.

  Earnings Per Share

         Earnings available to Class G Common Stock on a per share basis will
be determined based on the separately calculated earnings of the Consumers Gas
Group.

         Earnings per share are omitted from the historic statements of
earnings since the Class G Common Stock was not part of the equity structure of
CMS Energy and the Articles of Incorporation had not been amended to allow for
the issuance of the Class G Common Stock for the periods presented.

  Gas Inventory

         Consumers uses the weighted average cost method for valuing working
gas inventory.  Cushion gas, which is gas stored to maintain reservoir pressure
for recovery of working gas, is recorded in the appropriate gas utility plant
account.  Consumers and Michigan Gas Storage maintain gas inventory in their
underground storage facilities.

  Maintenance, Depreciation and Depletion

         Property repairs and minor property replacements are charged to
maintenance expense.  Depreciable property retired or sold plus cost of removal
(net of salvage credits) is charged to accumulated depreciation.  Consumers
bases depreciation provisions for gas utility plant on straight-line and
units-of-production rates approved by the MPSC.  The composite rate for gas
plant was 4.4 percent for 1993, 4.3 percent for 1992 and 4.2 percent for 1991.

  New Accounting Standards

         In November 1992, the FASB issued SFAS 112, Employers' Accounting for
Postemployment Benefits, which CMS Energy adopted January 1, 1994.  CMS Energy
pays for several postemployment benefits, the most significant being workers'
compensation.  Because CMS Energy's postemployment benefit plans do not vest or
accumulate, the standard did not materially impact the Consumers Gas Group's
financial position or results of operations.  For new accounting standards





                                      F-9
<PAGE>   150

regarding income taxes, see Note 4; for financial instruments, see Note 7; and
for pensions and other postretirement benefits, see Note 9.

  Related-Party Transactions

         The Consumers Gas Group, stored and transported natural gas and
provided other services to the MCV Partnership totaling approximately $14
million for 1993, 1992 and 1991, respectively.

         Any future transactions between Consumers Gas Group and the remaining
segments of CMS Energy will be on terms comparable to arm's length transactions
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  (See Note 4 for
income tax policy.) Other related-party transactions are immaterial.

  Revenue and Fuel Costs

         Consumers accrues revenue for gas used by its customers but not billed
at the end of an accounting period.  It also accrues or reduces revenue for any
underrecovery or overrecovery of natural gas costs by establishing a
corresponding asset or liability until it bills these unrecovered costs or
refunds the excess recoveries to customers after reconciliation hearings
conducted before the MPSC.

  Unaudited Interim Information

         In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for
the nine months ended September 30, 1994 and 1993 reflects all adjustments
necessary to assure the fair presentation of financial position, results of
operations and cash flows.

  Utility Regulation

         Consumers' gas operations and Michigan Gas Storage are regulated by
the MPSC and FERC, respectively.  Accordingly, Consumers Gas Group accounts for
the effects of gas regulation under SFAS 71, Accounting for the Effects of
Certain Types of Regulation.  As a result, the actions of regulators affect
when revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities are recognized.

  Other

         For significant accounting policies regarding cash equivalents, see
Note 12; for income taxes, see Note 4; and for pensions and other
postretirement benefits, see Note 9.

3.  RATE MATTERS

         In July 1994,  the MPSC approved an agreement previously reached
between the MPSC staff and Consumers, to charge $10 million of costs for
postretirement benefits computed under SFAS 106 against earnings over the last
six months of 1994.  This charge against earnings will partially offset costs
related to state property taxes which have been reduced.  The agreement was
reached in response to an assertion by the MPSC staff that gas utility business
earnings for 1993 were in excess of the currently authorized level.  The
agreement also provides for an additional $4 million of 1995-related SFAS 106
costs to be charged against 1995 earnings instead of being deferred.  As part
of the agreement, Consumers committed to file a gas rate case before December
31, 1994, that will among other things, incorporate costs increases, including
costs for postretirement benefits computed under SFAS 106, into its retail gas
rates.  A final order should be received approximately 9 to 12 months after the
request is filed.  No assurance can be given as to the level of rates which
will be authorized by the MPSC.  Consumers' gas distribution business is
currently authorized to earn a 13.25 percent rate of return on equity.
Consumers' most recent rate filing for





                                      F-10
<PAGE>   151

its electric utility business resulted in an authorized rate of return on
equity of 11.75 percent.  See Note 14 with regard to certain subsequent
developments.

         In gas rate cases the MPSC determines, among other things, an
appropriate capital structure, including equity, for the Gas Distribution
Business and approves a rate of return on such equity.  Because the Gas
Distribution Business is part of Consumers, it does not have its own capital
structure.  Accordingly, in the most recent gas rate case before the MPSC
relating to the Gas Distribution Business, the MPSC utilized a Proxy Capital
Structure.  It is possible that in future gas rate cases, the MPSC may use
another methodology to determine the equity used for rate making purposes for
the Consumers Gas Group or otherwise select a methodology different than the
Proxy Capital Structure.  The capital structure employed for ratemaking
purposes directly affects the overall rate of return of a rate regulated
enterprise.

  GCR Issues

         In connection with its 1991 GCR reconciliation case, Consumers
refunded $36 million, including interest, to its firm sales and transportation
rate customers in April 1992.  Consumers accrued the full amount for this
refund in 1991.

         The MPSC issued an order during 1993 that approved an interim
settlement agreement for the 12 months ended March 31, 1993.  As a result of
the settlement, Consumers refunded in August 1993, to its GCR and
transportation customers, approximately $22 million, including interest.
Consumers previously accrued amounts sufficient for this refund.

         The MPSC, in a February 1993 order, provided that the price payable to
certain intrastate gas producers by Consumers be reduced prospectively.  As a
result, Consumers was not allowed to recover approximately $13 million of costs
incurred prior to February 8, 1993.  Consumers previously had accrued a loss
for this issue in excess of the disallowed amount.  Future disallowances are
not anticipated, unless the remaining appeals filed by the intrastate producers
are successful.

         In 1992, the FERC approved a settlement involving Consumers, Trunkline
and certain other parties, which resolved numerous claims and proceedings
concerning Trunkline liquified natural gas costs.  The settlement represents
significant gas cost savings for Consumers and its customers in future years.
As part of the settlement, Consumers will not incur any transition costs from
Trunkline as a result of FERC Order 636.  In 1992, Consumers recorded a
liability and regulatory asset for the principal amount of payments to
Trunkline over a five-year period.  In May 1993, the MPSC approved a separate
settlement agreement that provides Consumers with full recovery of these costs
over a five-year period.  At December 31, 1993, Consumers' remaining liability
and regulatory asset were $116 million.  At September 30, 1994, Consumers'
liability and regulatory asset were $93 million.

  Other

         A contract dispute involving pricing under contracts Consumers had
with eight direct gas suppliers has been resolved.  The dispute revolved around
whether the price Consumers pays Trunkline for gas was the proper reference
price for these eight gas supply contracts.  Consumers and seven of the
suppliers have agreed to enter into new contracts, at negotiated rates, with
initial terms ranging from one to three years.  Consumers and the remaining
supplier agreed to terminate their existing contract.

         Estimated losses for certain contingencies discussed in this note have
been accrued.  Resolution of these contingencies is not expected to have a
material impact on the financial position or results of operations of the
Consumers Gas Group.





                                      F-11
<PAGE>   152


4.  INCOME TAXES

         CMS Energy and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax
return.  Income taxes are generally allocated to each subsidiary based on each
subsidiary's separate taxable income.  In 1992, CMS Energy implemented SFAS
109, Accounting for Income Taxes.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related
asset or liability, for all temporary differences.  Consumers began practicing
full deferred tax accounting for temporary differences arising after January 1,
1993, as authorized by a generic MPSC order.  The generic order reduces the
amount of regulatory assets and liabilities that otherwise could have arisen in
future periods by allowing Consumers to reflect the income statement effect in
the period temporary differences arise.

         CMS Energy uses investment tax credits ("ITC") to reduce current
income taxes payable and defers and amortizes ITC over the life of the related
property.  The alternative minimum tax ("AMT") requires taxpayers to perform a
second separate federal tax calculation based on a flat rate applied to a
broader tax base.  AMT is the amount by which this "broader-based" tax exceeds
regular tax.  Any AMT paid generally becomes a tax credit that can be carried
forward indefinitely to reduce regular tax liabilities in future periods when
regular taxes paid exceed the tax calculated for AMT.

         On August 10, 1993, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993
increased the statutory federal tax rate from 34 percent to 35 percent
effective January 1, 1993.  The cumulative effect of this tax rate change has
been reflected in the financial statements.

         The Consumers Gas Group is included in the consolidated federal income
tax return filed by CMS Energy.  The financial statement provision and actual
cash tax payments have been reflected in the Consumers Gas Group's financial
statements in accordance with CMS Energy's tax allocation policy.  The
financial statement amounts reflect management's estimate of the separate
taxable income of the segment, the effect of deferred tax accounting for
temporary differences that arise, the amortization of ITC over the life of the
related property included within the Consumers Gas Group and any AMT credit
carryforwards that can be carried forward indefinitely to reduce regular tax
liabilities in future periods related to the Consumers Gas Group.  Tax
settlements at Consumers Gas Group are consistent with settlements of CMS
Energy's consolidated returns and are generally settled in the year, or in the
year following the year in which such amounts are accrued.

         The significant components of income tax expense for the Consumers Gas
Group consisted of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                      -------- ---
                                                                            1993          1992          1991
                                                                            ----          ----          ----
                                                                                      IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                           <C>           <C>            <C>
Current federal income taxes                                                  $34           $38            $ 8
Deferred income taxes                                                           6            (2)            (9)
                                                                              ---           ---            ---
Deferred ITC, net                                                              (2)           (2)             5
                                                                              ---           ---            ---
                                                                              $38           $34            $ 4
                                                                              ===           ===            ===
Operating                                                                     $39           $35            $ 2
Other                                                                          (1)           (1)             2
                                                                              ---           ---            ---
                                                                              $38           $34            $ 4
                                                                              ===           ===            ===
</TABLE>

         The principal components of deferred tax assets (liabilities)
recognized in the balance sheet for the Consumers Gas Group are as follows:





                                      F-12
<PAGE>   153

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                            -------- ---
                                                                                         1993           1992
                                                                                         ----           ----
                                                                                             IN MILLIONS

<S>                                                                                       <C>            <C>
Property                                                                                  $ (53)         $ (45)
Postretirement benefits (Note 9)                                                            (58)           (54)
Employee benefit obligations (includes postretirement
  benefits of $58 and $54)(Note 9)                                                           67             63
Regulatory liability                                                                         47             46
Other                                                                                         9             12
                                                                                          -----          -----
                                                                                          $  12          $  22
                                                                                          =====          =====
Gross deferred tax liabilities                                                            $(232)         $(221)
Gross deferred tax assets                                                                   244            243
                                                                                          -----          -----
                                                                                          $  12          $  22
                                                                                          =====          =====
</TABLE>


         The actual income tax expense for Consumers Gas Group differs from the
amount computed by applying the statutory federal tax rate to income before
income taxes as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                      ------------
                                                                            1993          1992          1991
                                                                            ----          ----          ----
                                                                                      IN MILLIONS

<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>            <C>
Net income before preferred dividends                                        $ 68          $ 42           $  3
Income tax expense                                                             38            34              4
                                                                             ----          ----           ----
                                                                              106            76              7
Statutory federal income tax rate                                             x35%          x34%           x34%
                                                                              ----          ----           ---- 
Expected income tax expense                                                    37            26              2
Increase (decrease) in taxes from:
Differences in book and tax depreciation not
  previously deferred                                                           7             7              4
ITC amortization and utilization                                               (2)           (2)            (2)
Other, net                                                                     (4)            3              -
                                                                             ----          ----           ----
                                                                             $ 38          $ 34           $  4
                                                                             ====          ====           ====
</TABLE>


5.  SHORT-TERM FINANCINGS

         In October 1994, the FERC granted Consumers' request for authorization
to issue or guarantee up to $900 million of short-term debt through December
31, 1996.  This is the same amount of short-term debt authorized through 1994.
Consumers has a $470 million facility that is used to finance seasonal working
capital requirements and unsecured, committed lines of credit aggregating $185
million.  At December 31, 1993, $235 million and $24 million were outstanding
at weighted average interest rates of 4.0 percent and 3.9 percent,
respectively.  At September 30, 1994, Consumers had $300 million and $101
million, respectively, outstanding under these facilities.  During the first
quarter of 1994, Consumers reduced the outstanding balance of both facilities
to zero.  Further, Consumers has an established $500 million trade receivables
purchase and sale program.  At September 30, 1994 and 1993, and December 31,
1993 and 1992, receivables sold under the agreement totaled $210 million, $160
million, $285 million and $225 million, respectively.

         Consumers generally manages its short-term financings on a centralized
consolidated basis.  The portion of receivables sold estimated by management to
be attributable to the Consumers Gas Group at September 30, 1994 and 1993, and
December 31, 1993 and 1992, is estimated to be $32 million, $25 million, $124
million and $52 million, respectively.  Accounts receivable and accrued revenue
in the balance sheets have been reduced to reflect receivables sold.  The
portions of short-term debt and receivables sold attributed to Consumers Gas





                                      F-13
<PAGE>   154

Group reflect the high utilization of short-term borrowing to finance the
purchase of gas for storage in the summer and fall periods.  Management
believes these allocations to be reasonable.  The proposed change in CMS
Energy's capital structure (see Notes 2 and 6) will not affect Consumers'
responsibility for its total liabilities.

6.  CAPITALIZATION

  CMS Energy

         Capital Stock:  CMS Energy's Articles permit it to issue up to 250
million shares of Common Stock at $.01 par value and up to 5 million shares of
CMS Energy Preferred Stock at $.01 par value.  Under the Unsecured Credit
Facility and the GTN Indenture, pursuant to which the GTN's are issued, which
currently contain CMS Energy's most restrictive dividend covenants, CMS Energy
is permitted to pay, as dividends on its Common Stock, an amount not to exceed
the total of its net income and any proceeds received from the issuance or sale
of Common Stock and $120 million, provided there exists no event of default
under the terms of the Unsecured Credit Facility or the GTN Indenture.  The
same formula applies to limit repurchase or reacquisition of CMS Energy Common
Stock.  CMS Energy is seeking shareholder approval to amend its Articles of
Incorporation and authorize a new class of common stock of CMS Energy (see Note
2).  If such amendment is approved by the shareholders the number of authorized
shares of capital stock would increase from 255 million to 320 million shares
consisting of 250 million shares of CMS Energy Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share, 60 million shares of Class G Common Stock, no par value, and 10 million
shares of CMS Energy Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share.

         The holders of any outstanding Class G Common Stock will vote with the
holders of CMS Energy Common Stock as a single class, except on matters which
would be required by law or the Articles of Incorporation to be voted on by
class.  The Class G Common Stock will have one vote per share.

         CMS Energy may exchange the Class G Common Stock for a proportionate
number of shares of a subsidiary that holds all the assets and liabilities
attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, and no other assets and liabilities.

         If CMS Energy transfers all or substantially all of the properties and
assets attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, CMS Energy is required, subject
to certain exceptions and conditions, to exchange each outstanding share of
Class G Common Stock for a number of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock having a
Fair Market Value equal to 110% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Class
G Common Stock.

         CMS Energy also could, in the sole discretion of the Board of
Directors, at any time, exchange each outstanding share of Class G Common Stock
for a number of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock having a Fair Market Value
equal to 115% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Class G Common Stock.

         In the event of the liquidation of CMS Energy, each outstanding share
of Class G Common Stock will be entitled to a share of the assets remaining for
distribution to holders of Common Stock equal of the amount of such assets
divided by the total number of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock and Class G
Common Stock then outstanding.

         CMS Energy as parent holding company, is paid dividends from its
principal subsidiaries, primarily Consumers.  The ability of CMS Energy to pay
dividends on its Common Stock will depend substantially upon timely receipt of
sufficient dividends or other distributions from Consumers, its principal
subsidiary.  Consumers' ability to pay dividends on its common stock depends
upon the revenues, earnings and other factors.  Consumers' revenues and
earnings will depend substantially upon its ability to secure timely and
appropriate relief





                                      F-14
<PAGE>   155

from the MPSC.  There is no fixed relationship, on a per share or aggregate
basis, between the dividends that may be paid by CMS Energy to holders of its
Class G Common Stock and the cash dividends or other amounts that may be paid
by Consumers to CMS Energy.

  Consumers

         Capital Stock and Other Paid in Capital:  At December 31, 1992,
Consumers effected a quasi-reorganization, an elective accounting procedure in
which Consumers' accumulated deficit of $574 million was eliminated against
other paid-in capital.  This action had no effect on CMS Energy's consolidated
financial statements.  As a result of the quasi-reorganization and subsequent
accumulated earnings, Consumers paid a total of $133 million in common stock
dividends in 1993 and also paid a $16 million common stock dividend during the
first quarter of 1994 from 1993 earnings.  In addition, through September 30,
1994, Consumers also paid $97 million in 1994 common dividends from current
year earnings.  In October 1994, Consumers declared a $36 million common stock
dividend payable in November 1994.  The portion of Consumers' common dividends
attributed to the Consumers Gas Group during the period prior to the approval
of the Class G Common Stock proposal has been reflected in the financial
statements.  Upon approval of the Class G Common Stock proposal, subsequent
financial statements of Consumers Gas Group will reflect dividends paid to the
Class G Common Stock shareholders and dividends attributable to the Retained
Interest held by CMS Energy.

         In March 1994, Consumers issued and sold 8 million shares of
Consumers' $2.08 Class A Preferred Stock (cumulative, without par value) with a
stated annual dividend rate of 8.32 percent.  Net proceeds to Consumers were
$193 million.  The stock is redeemable at the option of Consumers, on or after
April 1, 1999, at a redemption price of $25 per share plus accrued dividends.
Consumers Gas Group's attributed portion of the net proceeds totaled $42
million and has been reflected in the financial statements.  Management
allocated the preferred stock based on the ratio of gas utility net assets
(including common assets attributed to the gas utility segment) to total
Consumers' assets.

         In May 1994, Consumers received a $100 million equity investment from
CMS Energy.  The investment was consistent with CMS Energy's plan to improve
Consumers' capital structure and was recognized and included in the
capitalization structure employed by the MPSC as part of Consumers' most recent
electric rate order.

         Long-Term Debt:  Consumers generally manages its long-term debt on a
centralized consolidated basis.  The financial statements of Consumers Gas
Group reflect the attributed debt and related interest charges for the periods
presented.  Management allocated these amounts based on the ratio of gas
utility net assets (including common assets attributed to the gas utility
segment) to total Consumers' assets.  Management believes these measurements
are reasonable.  The proposed change in CMS Energy's capitalization structure
will not affect Consumers' responsibility for its total liabilities.

         Consumers secures its first mortgage bonds by a mortgage and lien on
substantially all of its property.  Consumers' ability to issue and sell
securities is restricted by certain provisions in its First Mortgage Bond
Indenture, the Articles and the need for regulatory approvals in compliance
with applicable state and federal law.  In September 1993, Consumers issued,
with MPSC approval, $300 million of 6 3/8 percent first mortgage bonds, due
2003 and $300 million of 7 3/8 percent first mortgage bonds, due 2023.
Consumers used the net proceeds from the bond issuance to refund approximately
$515 million of higher interest first mortgage bonds and the balance to reduce
current short-term borrowings.  Unamortized debt costs, premiums and discounts
and call premiums on the refunded debt totaling approximately $18 million were
deferred under SFAS 71, and are being amortized over the lives of the new debt.





                                      F-15
<PAGE>   156


         In the first quarter of 1994, Consumers redeemed first mortgage bonds
totaling $100 million.  These redemptions completed Consumers' commitment to
the MPSC, under a 1993 authorization to issue first mortgage bonds, to
refinance certain long-term debt.

         In January 1993, Consumers entered into an interest rate swap
agreement, exchanging variable-rate interest for a fixed-rate interest of 5.2
percent on the latest maturing $250 million of the then remaining $500 million
obligation under its long-term credit agreement.  The swap agreement has the
same term as the debt agreement and had the effect of increasing the weighted
average interest rate to 4.8 percent from 3.9 percent for the 12 month period
ended December 31, 1993.  The swap agreement will amortize beginning in
February 1995 and terminate in May 1996.  At September 30, 1994, the
outstanding balance of Consumers' long-term credit agreement totaled $328
million.  In November 1994, subsequent to MPSC authorization, Consumers entered
into a new $400 million unsecured, variable rate, five-year term loan and
subsequently used the proceeds to refinance the long-term credit agreement
discussed above and to reduce short-term borrowings.

         In June 1993, Consumers entered into loan agreements in connection
with the issuance of approximately $28 million of adjustable rate demand
limited obligation refunding revenue bonds, due 2010, which are secured by an
irrevocable letter of credit expiring in 1996.  These bonds bear an initial
interest rate of 2.65 percent.  Consumers also entered into loan agreements in
connection with the issuance of $30 million of 5.8 percent limited obligation
refunding revenue bonds, due 2010, secured by a financial guaranty insurance
policy and certain first mortgage bonds of Consumers.  Proceeds of these issues
were used to redeem on August 1, 1993 in advance of their maturities,
approximately $58 million of outstanding PCRBs.

7.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

         The carrying amounts of CMS Energy's cash, short-term investments and
current liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature
of those instruments.  The estimated fair values of long-term investments are
based on quoted market prices where available.  When specific market prices do
not exist for an instrument, the fair value is based on quoted market prices of
similar investments or other valuation techniques.  All long-term investments
in financial instruments approximate fair value.  CMS Energy's carrying amount
of long-term debt was $2.4 billion and $2.7 billion and the fair value of
long-term debt was $2.6 billion and $2.8 billion as of December 31, 1993 and
1992, respectively.  The carrying amount of Consumers Gas Group's long-term
debt was $376 million and $392 million and the fair value was $386 million and
$396 million as of December 31, 1993 and 1992, respectively.  Although the
current fair value of the long-term debt, which is based on calculations made
by debt pricing specialists, may be greater than the current carrying amount,
settlement of the reported debt is generally not expected until maturity.  The
fair value of CMS Energy's off-balance sheet financial instruments is based on
the amount estimated to terminate or settle the obligation.  The fair value of
CMS Energy's interest-rate swap agreements was $6 million and $1 million as of
December 31, 1993 and 1992, respectively.  Guarantees/letters of credit
outstanding totaled $96 million and $56 million as of December 31, 1993 and
1992, respectively.

         On January 1, 1994, CMS Energy adopted SFAS 115, Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, requiring accounting for
investments in debt securities to be held to maturity at amortized cost;
otherwise debt and marketable equity securities are recorded at fair value,
with any unrealized gains or losses included in earnings if the securities are
held for trading purposes or as a separate component of stockholders' equity if
the securities are classified as available for sale.  The implementation of
this standard did not materially impact Consumers Gas Group's financial
position or results of operations.





                                      F-16
<PAGE>   157


         In October 1994, the FASB issued SFAS 118, Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan-Income Recognition and Disclosures, which amends SFAS 114,
Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan.  SFAS 114 provided two
alternatives for income recognition to be used for changes in the net carrying
amount of an impaired loan subsequent to the initial measure of impairment.
The creditor could recognize all changes in the net carrying amount of the loan
as an adjustment to bad-debt expense, or the creditor could accrue interest on
the net carrying amount of the impaired loan and recognize other changes as an
adjustment to bad-debt expense.  SFAS 118 allows the use of any existing
methods for recognizing interest income on impaired loans.

         In October 1994, the FASB also issued SFAS 119, Disclosure about
Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments, which
requires added disclosures about the amounts, nature and terms of derivatives.
Derivatives are financial agreements whose returns are linked to or derived
from the performance of underlying assets such as bonds, currencies or
commodities.

         Consumers is continuing to study SFAS 118 and SFAS 119, which are
effective for year-end 1994 financial statements, but does not expect either
statement will have a material impact on Consumers' financial position or
results of operations.

8.  EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

         CMS Energy's Performance Incentive Stock Plan, restricted shares of
common stock of CMS Energy, stock options and stock appreciation rights are
discussed in Note 10 of CMS Energy Notes.  These plans will be amended if the
comprehensive plan that creates Class G Common Stock is approved by the
shareholders.

9.  RETIREMENT BENEFITS

  Postretirement Benefit Plans Other Than Pensions

         CMS Energy and its subsidiaries adopted SFAS 106 effective as of the
beginning of 1992.  The standard required CMS Energy to change its accounting
for the cost of health care and life insurance benefits that are provided to
retirees from a pay-as-you-go (cash) method to a full accrual method.  CMS
Energy's non-utility subsidiaries expensed their accumulated transition
obligation liability.  The amount of such transition obligation is not material
to the presentation of the consolidated financial statements or significant to
CMS Energy's total transition obligation.  Consumers recorded a liability of
$466 million for the accumulated transition obligation and a corresponding
regulatory asset for anticipated recovery in utility rates.

         Both the MPSC and FERC have generally adopted SFAS 106 costs for
ratemaking purposes, provided costs recovered through rates are placed in
external funds until they are needed to pay benefits.  The MPSC's generic order
allows utilities three years to seek recovery of costs and provides for
recovery from customers of any deferred costs incurred prior to the beginning
of rate recovery of such costs.  In late 1994, Consumers plans to request
recovery of the gas utility portion of these costs.  CMS Energy plans to fund
the benefits using external legal entities, established under guidelines of the
Internal Revenue Code, through which a company can provide certain benefits for
its employees or retirees ("Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Associations").  A
portion of the life insurance benefits have previously been funded.  Consumers
anticipates recovering its regulatory asset within 20 years of the SFAS 106
adoption.  This treatment is consistent with recovery already authorized by the
MPSC for Consumers' electric business.

         As of December 31, 1993, the actuary assumed that retiree health care
costs increased 10.5 percent in 1994, then decreased gradually to a 5.5 percent
increase in 2000 and thereafter.  The health care cost trend rate assumption
significantly affects the amounts reported.  For example, a 1 percentage point





                                      F-17
<PAGE>   158

increase in each year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation as of December 31, 1993 by $75 million and the aggregate of the
service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit
costs for 1993 by $9 million.

         For the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1992, the weighted average
discount rate was 7.25 percent and 8 percent, respectively, and the expected
long-term rate of return on plan assets was 8.5 percent.  Net periodic
postretirement benefit cost for health care benefits and life insurance
benefits was $51 million in 1993 and $50 million in 1992.  The 1993 and 1992
cost was comprised of $13 million and $11 million for service plus $38 million
and $39 million for interest, respectively.

         The funded status for CMS Energy's centrally managed postretirement
benefit plan reconciled with the total liability recorded at December 31 as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         1993           1992
                                                                                         ----           ----
                                                                                             IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                                       <C>            <C>
Actuarial present value of estimated benefits
  Retirees                                                                                $ 282          $ 265
  Eligible for retirement                                                                    54             50
  Active (upon retirement)                                                                  190            177
                                                                                           ----           ----
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation                                               526            492
Plan assets (premium deposit fund) at fair value                                              4              4
                                                                                           ----           ----   
Projected postretirement benefit obligation in excess
  of plan assets                                                                           (522)          (488)
Unrecognized prior service cost                                                             (39)           (39)
Unrecognized net loss                                                                        41             33
                                                                                           ----           ----
Recorded liability                                                                        $(520)         $(494)
                                                                                          =====          ===== 
</TABLE>

         Consumers Gas Group's attributed portion of CMS Energy's total
recorded liability is estimated to be $167 million and $159 million at December
31, 1993 and 1992, respectively.  This amount was allocated based on policies
Consumers has historically used in proceedings conducted before the MPSC.

         CMS Energy's postretirement health care plan is unfunded; the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for that plan is $514 million and
$482 million at December 31, 1993 and 1992, respectively.  Consumers' total
regulatory asset was $510 million and $485 million at December 31, 1993 and
1992, respectively.

  Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

         Certain management employees qualify under the Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan (the "SERP").  Benefits are based on the employee's service and
earnings as defined in the SERP.  In 1988, a trust from which SERP benefits are
paid was established and funded.  Because the SERP is not a qualified plan
under the Internal Revenue Code, earnings of the trust are taxable and trust
assets are included in Consumers' consolidated assets.  At December 31, 1993
and 1992, CMS Energy's trust assets at cost (which approximates market) were
$18 million and $16 million, respectively, and were classified as other
non-current assets.  The attributed trust assets of Consumers Gas Group at cost
(which approximates market) were $8 million and $7 million, respectively, and
were classified as other non-current assets.  This allocation was based on a
ratio of the number of gas customers to total Consumers' customers.  Management
believes this method to be reasonable.

  Defined Benefit Pension Plan

         A trusteed, non-contributory, defined benefit pension plan (the
"Pension Plan") covers substantially all employees.  The benefits are based on
an employee's years of accredited service and earnings, as defined in the plan,





                                      F-18
<PAGE>   159

during an employee's five highest years of earnings.  Because the plan is fully
funded, no contributions were made for plan years 1991 through 1993.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                      -------- ---
                                                                            1993          1992          1991
                                                                            ----          ----          ----
<S>                                                                         <C>           <C>            <C>
Discount rate                                                               7.25%          8.5%           8.5%
Rate of compensation increase                                                4.5%          5.5%           5.5%
                                                                            =====         =====          =====
Expected long-term rate of return on assets                                 8.75%         8.75%          8.75%
                                                                            =====         =====          =====
</TABLE>
         CMS Energy's total net Pension Plan and SERP costs consisted of:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                      -------- ---
                                                                            1993          1992          1991
                                                                            ----          ----          ----
                                                                                      IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>            <C>
Service cost                                                                 $ 19          $ 19           $ 18
Interest cost                                                                  50            48             48
Actual return on plan assets                                                  (92)          (36)           (88)
Net amortization and deferral                                                  34           (20)            29
                                                                             ----          -----          -----
Net periodic pension cost                                                    $ 11          $ 11           $  7
                                                                             ====         =====          =====
</TABLE>

         Consumers Gas Group's attributed portion of CMS Energy's net periodic
pension cost totaled $3 million for 1993, $4 million for 1992 and $2 million
for 1991.

         The funded status of CMS Energy's Pension Plan and SERP reconciled to
the pension liability recorded at December 31 was:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PENSION PLAN                    SERP
                                                                   ------- ----                    ----
                                                              1993           1992         1993          1992
                                                              ----           ----         ----          ----
                                                                                IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>
Actuarial present value of estimated benefits
  Vested                                                        $471           $349         $ 16          $ 11
  Non-vested                                                      56             49            -             -
                                                                ----           ----         ----          ----
Accumulated benefit obligation                                   527            398           16            11
Provision for future pay increases                               138            177            8             6
                                                                ----           ----         ----          ----
Projected benefit obligation                                     665            575           24            17
Plan assets (primarily stocks and bonds,
  including $87 in 1993 and $64 in 1992 in
  common stock of CMS Energy) at fair value                      692            631            -             -
                                                                 ---            ---         ----          ----
Projected benefit obligation less than
  (in excess of) plan assets                                      27             56          (24)          (17)
Unrecognized net (gain) loss from experience
  different than assumed                                         (56)           (76)           7             2
Unrecognized prior service cost                                   45             49            1             1
Unrecognized net transition
  (asset) obligation                                             (44)           (49)           1             1
Adjustment to recognize minimum liability                          -              -           (1)            -
                                                                ----           ----         ----          ----
Recorded liability                                              $(28)          $(20)        $(16)         $(13)
                                                                ====           ====         ====          ==== 
</TABLE>

         Consumers Gas Group's attributed portion of CMS Energy's total
recorded liability for the Pension Plan totaled $8 million at December 31, 1993
and $6 million at December 31, 1992 and was allocated to the Consumers Gas
Group based on the ratio of salaries and wages related to Consumers' gas
operations to Consumers' total salaries and wages.  Consumers Gas Group's
estimated portion of CMS Energy's recorded liability for the SERP totaled $5
million at December 31, 1993 and $5 million at December 31, 1992 and was
allocated to the Consumers Gas




                                      F-19
<PAGE>   160

Group based on the ratio of the number of gas customers to total Consumers'
customers.

         Beginning January 1, 1986, the amortization period for the Pension
Plan's unrecognized net transition asset is 16 years and 11 years for the
SERP's unrecognized net transition obligation.  Prior service costs are
amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of
active employees.

10.  LEASES

         CMS Energy and its subsidiaries lease various assets, including
vehicles, aircraft, construction equipment, computer equipment and buildings
and is responsible for payment of taxes, maintenance, operating costs, and
insurance.  Consumers Gas Group's portion of CMS Energy's minimum rental
commitments under non-cancelable leases at December 31, 1993, were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       CAPITAL       OPERATING
                                                                                        LEASES         LEASES
                                                                                        ------         ------
                                                                                             IN MILLIONS

<S>                                                                                         <C>            <C>
1994                                                                                        $ 5            $ 1
1995                                                                                          5              -
1996                                                                                          5              -
1997                                                                                          4              -
1998                                                                                          3              -
1999 and thereafter                                                                           5              -
                                                                                           ----           ----
Total minimum lease payments                                                                 27            $ 1
                                                                                                          ====
Less imputed interest                                                                         5
                                                                                           ----
Present value of net minimum lease payments                                                  22
Less current portion                                                                          4
                                                                                           ----
Non-current portion                                                                         $18
                                                                                           ====
</TABLE>


         Consumers gas operation recovers these charges from customers and
accordingly charges payments for its capital and operating leases to operating
expense.  Operating lease charges, including charges to clearing and other
accounts as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991, were $1 million, $1 million
and $1 million, respectively.  Capital lease expenses for the Consumers Gas
Group for years ended December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 were $6 million, $11
million and $11 million, respectively.

         Consumers Gas Group's minimum rental commitments and lease expenses
are generally allocated based on the specific use of the leased item.  Common
leases are allocated to Consumers Gas Group through functional use surveys,
which management believes to be reasonable.

11.  COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER

  Environmental Matters

         Consumers is a so-called "potentially responsible party" at several
sites being administered under Superfund.  Along with Consumers, there are
numerous credit-worthy, potentially responsible parties with substantial assets
cooperating with respect to the individual sites.  Based on information
currently known by management, Consumers believes that it is unlikely that its
liability at any of the known Superfund sites, individually or in total, will
have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of
operations.

         Under Michigan's Environmental Response Act, Consumers expects that it
will ultimately incur clean-up costs at a number of sites, including some of
the 23 sites that formerly housed manufactured gas plant facilities, even those
in which





                                      F-20
<PAGE>   161

it has a partial or no current ownership interest.  Parties other than
Consumers with current or former ownership interests may also be considered
liable for site investigations and remedial actions.

         Consumers has prepared plans for remedial investigation/feasibility
studies for several of these manufactured gas plant sites to define the nature
and extent of contamination at these sites and to determine which of several
possible remedial action alternatives, including no action, may be required
under the Environmental Response Act.  The DNR has approved two of three plans
for remedial investigation/feasibility studies submitted by Consumers and is
currently reviewing the third.

         The findings for the first remedial investigation indicate that the
expenditures for remedial action at this site are likely to be minimal.
However, Consumers does not believe that a single site is representative of all
of the sites.  Data available to Consumers and its continued internal review
have resulted in an estimate for all costs related to remedial action for all
23 sites of between $40 million and $140 million.  These estimates are based on
undiscounted 1994 costs.  At September 30, 1994, Consumers has accrued a
liability of $40 million, representing the minimum amount in the range.  Any
significant change in assumptions such as remediation technique, nature and
extent of contamination and regulatory requirements, could impact the estimate
of remedial costs for the sites.

         Consumers believes that remedial costs are recoverable in rates as the
MPSC in 1993 addressed the question of recovery of investigation and remedial
costs for another Michigan gas utility as part of a gas rate case.  In that
proceeding, the MPSC determined that prudent investigation and remedial costs
could be deferred and amortized over 10-year periods.  In order to be
recoverable in rates, prudent costs must be approved in a rate case.  Any costs
amortized in years prior to filing a rate case may not be recoverable.  The
MPSC stated that the length of the amortization period may be reviewed from
time to time, but any revisions would be prospective.  The order further
provided that the prudency review would include a review of the utility's
attempts to obtain reimbursement from others.  The MPSC has also approved
similar deferred accounting requests by two other Michigan utilities relative
to investigation and remediation costs.  Accordingly, Consumers has recorded a
regulatory asset for the same amount as the accrued liability for anticipated
recovery of these investigation and remedial clean-up costs.  Consumers has
initiated discussions with certain insurance companies regarding coverage for
some or all of the costs which may be incurred for these sites.  Consumers
plans to seek recovery of remedial action costs in its gas rate case to be
filed in 1994.

  Capital Expenditures

         The Consumers Gas Group currently estimates capital expenditures,
including new lease commitments, will be $132 million for 1994, $125 million
for 1995 and $115 million for 1996.  These estimates include an attributed
portion of Consumers' anticipated capital expenditures for common plant and
equipment of $25 million, $14 million and $14 million for 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively.  Management believes these estimates are reasonable.

  Commitments for Gas Supplies

         Consumers has entered into gas supply contracts with various suppliers
for its natural gas business.  These contracts have expiration dates that range
from 1994 to 1999.  Generally, Consumers contracts for approximately 75% of its
annual gas requirements which in 1993 totaled approximately $680 million.
Consumers supplements its long-term contracts with spot-market purchases to
fulfill its gas needs.





                                      F-21
<PAGE>   162

  Public Utility Holding Company Act Exemption

         CMS Energy is exempt from registration under PUHCA.  However, the
Attorney General and the MMCG have asked the Commission to revoke CMS Energy's
exemption from registration under PUHCA.  In 1992, the MPSC filed a statement
with the Commission recommending that CMS Energy's current exemption be revoked
and a new exemption be issued conditioned upon certain reporting and operating
requirements.  If CMS Energy were to lose its current exemption, it would
become more heavily regulated by the Commission; Consumers could ultimately be
forced to divest either its electric or gas utility business; and CMS Energy
would be restricted from conducting businesses that are not functionally
related to the conduct of its utility business as determined by the Commission.
CMS Energy is opposing this request and believes it will maintain its current
exemption from registration under PUHCA.

  Other

         CMS Energy believes that no taxable gain will result in connection
with the sale of the Class G Common Stock.  However, the Internal Revenue
Service has previously announced that it was studying the federal tax
consequences of transactions similar to CMS Energy's stock proposal.  If the
sale of the Class G Common Stock were treated as property other than stock of
CMS Energy, CMS Energy may have a recognizable gain in an amount equal to the
difference between the fair market value of Class G Common Stock and the
federal income tax basis to CMS Energy in such property.

         In addition to the matters disclosed in these notes, Consumers and
certain other subsidiaries of CMS Energy are parties to certain lawsuits and
administrative proceedings before various courts and governmental agencies,
arising from the ordinary course of business involving personal injury and
property damage, contractual matters, environmental issues, federal and state
taxes, rates, licensing and other matters.

         Estimated losses for certain contingencies discussed in this note have
been accrued.  The ultimate effect of the proceedings discussed in this note is
not expected to have a material impact on CMS Energy's or Consumers Gas Group's
financial position or results of operations.

12.  SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

         For purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, all highly liquid
investments with an original maturity of three months or less are considered
cash equivalents.  Consumers Gas Group's other cash flow activities and
non-cash investing and financing activities for the nine months ended September
30, 1994 and 1993 and the years ended December 31, 1993, 1992, and 1991 were:





                                      F-22
<PAGE>   163

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NINE MONTHS
                                                                 ENDED
                                                              (UNAUDITED)                YEARS ENDED
                                                             SEPTEMBER 30,               DECEMBER 31,
                                                             --------- ---               -------- ---
                                                             1994       1993      1993       1992         1991
                                                             ----       ----      ----       ----         ----
                                                                             IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>
Cash transactions
  Interest paid (net of amounts
    capitalized)                                              $27       $28       $37         $33          $57
  Income taxes paid (net of refunds)                           29        63        42          25           11
Non-cash transactions
  Other assets placed under capital lease                     $ 3       $ 4       $ 5         $ 9          $ 6
  Capital leases refinanced                                     -        12        12           -            -
</TABLE>

         Changes in other assets and liabilities as shown on the Statement of
Cash Flows for Consumers Gas Group at September 30, 1994 and 1993 and December
31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 are described below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          NINE MONTHS
                                                             ENDED
                                                          (UNAUDITED)                    YEARS ENDED
                                                         SEPTEMBER 30,                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                         --------- ---                  -------- ---
                                                            1994       1993      1993       1992         1991
                                                            ----       ----      ----       ----         ----
                                                                             IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>           <C>
Sale of receivables, net                                     (92)       (27)     $ 72       $ (42)        $  4
Accounts receivable                                           65         29       (35)         54           63
Accounts payable                                               2         (2)       (7)         (3)         (73)
Inventories                                                  (43)       (80)      (24)         20           15
Accrued revenue                                               82         49       (31)         85            7
Accrued refunds                                               11        (17)      (10)       (141)          59
Other current assets and liabilities, net                    (11)       (45)      (17)         37           (9)
Non-current deferred amounts, net                             (2)        (1)      (16)        (24)          40
                                                            ----       ----     -----       -----         ----
                                                            $ 12       $(94)     $(68)      $ (14)        $106
                                                            ====       ====      =====      =====         ====
</TABLE>

13.  EFFECTS OF THE RATEMAKING PROCESS

         Consumers is subject to the provisions of SFAS 71, Accounting for the
Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.  Regulatory assets represent probable
future revenue to Consumers associated with certain incurred costs as these
costs are recovered through the ratemaking process.  The following regulatory
assets (liabilities) which include both current and non-current amounts, are
reflected in the Consumers Gas Group's Balance Sheets:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,            ------------
                                                                     1994             1993              1992
                                                                     ----             ----              ----
                                                                                  IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>               <C>
Postretirement benefits                                               $ 166            $ 167             $ 159
Trunkline settlement                                                     93              117               146
Environmental clean-up                                                   40                -                 -
Other                                                                    16               21                27
                                                                      -----            -----             -----
Total regulatory assets                                               $ 315            $ 305             $ 332
                                                                      =====            =====             =====
Regulatory liabilities --
  Income taxes                                                        $(137)           $(131)            $(135)
                                                                      =====            =====             ===== 
</TABLE>

         Consumers has MPSC orders and/or precedents to recover virtually all
of its regulatory assets through future rates.





                                      F-23
<PAGE>   164

14.  SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENTS

         Reference is made to Note 3, "Rate Matters." Consumers filed a gas
rate case in December 1994 with the MPSC.  Consumers requested an increase in
its gas rates of $21 million annually.  The request, among other things,
incorporates cost increases, including costs for postretirement benefits and
costs related to Consumers' former manufactured gas plant sites.  Consumers
requested that the MPSC authorize a 13 percent rate of return on equity,
instead of the currently authorized rate of 13.25 percent.  Consumers expects
an MPSC decision in late 1995.





                                      F-24
<PAGE>   165

                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To CMS Energy Corporation:

         We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CMS
Energy Corporation (a Michigan Corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31,
1993 and 1992, and the related consolidated statements of income, common
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1993.  These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

         We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements
are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated
financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation.  We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

         In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CMS
Energy Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1993 and 1992, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1993 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

         As discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements,
effective January 1, 1992, the Company changed its method of accounting for
income taxes.  As discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial
statements, effective January 1, 1992, the Company changed its method of
accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions.


                              Arthur Andersen LLP


Detroit, Michigan
December 1, 1994
(except with respect to the matter discussed in
Note 2 as to which the date is February 14, 1995)





                                      F-25
<PAGE>   166

                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NINE MONTHS
                                                                              ENDED
                                                                          SEPTEMBER 30,            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          -------------            ------------------------
                                                                         1994         1993      1993         1992       1991
                                                                         ----         ----      ----         ----       ----
                                                                             (UNAUDITED)
AMOUNTS                                                                        IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
<S>                                                                      <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
Operating Revenue
  Electric utility                                                       $1,667      $1,556      $2,077     $1,863      $1,849
  Gas utility                                                               837         809       1,160      1,126       1,061
  Oil and gas exploration and production                                     64          58          77         70          50
  Independent power production                                               29          14          21         (8)         (9)
  Natural gas pipeline, storage and marketing                               106         105         142         89          42
  Other                                                                       2           4           5          6           5
                                                                          -----       -----       -----      -----       -----
         Total operating revenue                                          2,705       2,546       3,482      3,146       2,998
                                                                          -----       -----       -----      -----       -----
Operating Expenses
  Operation
    Fuel for electric generation                                            230         224         293        305         308
    Purchased power--related parties                                        359         344         467        460         442
    Purchased and interchange power                                         134         105         148        112         144
    Cost of gas sold                                                        566         564         801        749         693
    Other                                                                   460         394         570        554         514
                                                                          -----       -----       -----      -----       -----
         Total operation                                                  1,749       1,631       2,279      2,180       2,101
  Maintenance                                                               138         152         206        203         172
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                  272         263         365        348         283
  General taxes                                                             138         149         193        184         181
                                                                          -----       -----       -----      -----       -----
         Total operating expenses                                         2,297       2,195       3,043      2,915       2,737
                                                                          -----       -----       -----      -----       -----
Pretax Operating Income (Loss)
  Electric utility                                                          281         231         286        154         220
  Gas utility                                                               106          97         147        109          64
  Oil and gas exploration and production                                     11           8           3          7          14
  Independent power production                                               12           5           5        (16)        (18)
  Natural gas pipeline, storage and marketing                                 8           6           7          5           4
  Other                                                                     (10)          4          (9)       (28)        (23)
                                                                            ----        ----        ----       ----       ----
         Total pretax operating income                                      408         351         439        231         261
                                                                           ----        ----        ----       ----        ----
Income Taxes                                                                 97          77          81         19          13
                                                                           ----        ----        ----       ----        ----
Net Operating Income                                                        311         274         358        212         248
                                                                            ---         ---         ---        ---         ---
Other Income (Deductions)
  Income from contractual arrangements (MCV Bonds)                            -          24          32         34         119
  Accretion income (Note 5)                                                  10          11          14         15          24
  Accretion expense (Note 4)                                                (27)        (27)        (36)         -           -
  Loss on MCV power purchases--settlement (Note 4)                            -           -           -       (520)          -
  Write-down of abandoned Midland project
    costs (Note 5)                                                            -           -           -          -        (398)
  Other income taxes, net                                                     9           8           6        165         107
  Other, net                                                                  9          15          15          9         (15)
                                                                           ----        ----        ----        ---        ---- 
         Total other income (deductions)                                      1          31          31       (297)       (163)
                                                                           ----        ----        ----       ----        ---- 
Fixed Charges
  Interest on long-term debt                                                142         155         204        169         274
  Other interest                                                             10          17          24         35          68
  Capitalized interest                                                       (5)         (3)         (5)        (3)         (5)
  Preferred dividends                                                        17           8          11         11          10
                                                                           ----         ---         ---        ---         ---
         Net fixed charges                                                  164         177         234        212         347
                                                                            ---         ---         ---        ---         ---
Net Income (Loss) Before Extraordinary Item                              $  148      $  128      $  155     $ (297)     $ (262)
Extraordinary Item, Early Redemption of Debt, Net                             -           -           -          -         (14)
Net Income (Loss)                                                        $  148      $  128      $  155     $ (297)     $ (276)
                                                                         ======      ======      ======     ======      ====== 
Average Common Shares Outstanding                                            86          80          81         80          80
                                                                         ======      ======      ======     ======      ======
Earnings (Loss) Per Average Common Share
  Before Extraordinary Item                                              $ 1.73      $ 1.60      $ 1.90     $(3.72)     $(3.26)
Loss Per Average Common Share From
  Extraordinary Item                                                          -           -           -          -        (.18)
                                                                         ------      ------      ------     ------        ---- 
Earnings (Loss) Per Average Common Share                                 $ 1.73      $ 1.60      $ 1.90     $(3.72)     $(3.44)
                                                                         ======      ======      ======     ======      ====== 
Dividends Declared Per Common Share                                      $  .57      $  .42      $  .60     $  .48      $  .48
                                                                         ======      ======      ======     ======      ======
</TABLE>
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                      F-26
<PAGE>   167

                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NINE MONTHS
                                                                              ENDED
                                                                          SEPTEMBER 30,            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          -------------            ------------------------
                                                                            1994         1993   1993         1992       1991
                                                                            ----         ----   ----         ----       ----
                                                                            (UNUADITED)                       IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                            <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>         <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss)                                                            $148       $128     $155      $(297)      $(276)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization (includes
    nuclear decommissioning depreciation of $37, $36,
    $47, $50 and $15, respectively)                                             272        263      365        348         283
    Debt discount amortization                                                   28         27       36         12           3
    Capital lease amortization                                                   25         21       30         40          43
    Deferred income taxes and investment tax credit                              61         77       56       (185)       (114)
    Accretion expense (Note 5)                                                   27         27       36          -           -
    Accretion income--abandoned Midland project (Note 5)                        (10)       (11)     (14)       (15)        (24)
    MCV power purchases--settlement (Note 5)                                    (71)       (64)     (84)         -           -
    Loss on MCV power purchases--settlement (Note 5)                              -          -        -        520           -
    Loss on equity investments and loans to
      affiliates                                                                  -          -        -          6          56
    Write-down of abandoned Midland project costs                                 -          -        -          -         398
    Other                                                                       (13)        (6)      (8)         2          30
    Changes in other assets and liabilities                                     (43)      (217)     (88)        29         168
                                                                                ---       ----      ---        ---         ---
    Net cash provided by operating activities                                   424        245      483        460         567
                                                                                ---        ---      ---        ---         ---
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Capital expenditures (excludes assets placed
    under capital leases, Note 15)                                             (415)      (377)    (548)      (487)       (353)
  Investments in partnerships and unconsolidated
    subsidiaries                                                                (40)       (83)    (108)       (12)        (33)
  Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust funds                            (37)       (36)     (47)       (50)        (15)
  Cost to retire property, net                                                  (25)       (24)     (32)       (14)        (18)
  Deferred demand-side management costs                                          (5)       (42)     (52)       (26)          -
  Proceeds from sale of property                                                 10          1        1         12           5
  Sale of subsidiary (Note 3)                                                     -        (14)     (14)         -           -
  Reduction of investment in MCV Bonds and MCV
    Partnership (Note 4)                                                          -         13      322         10         877
  Other                                                                          (5)        (1)      (4)        (1)        (3)
  Proceeds from Bechtel settlement                                                -          -        -         46           -
                                                                               ----       ----     ----       ----         ---
    Net cash provided by (used) in
      investing activities                                                     (517)      (563)    (481)      (522)        460
                                                                               ----       ----     ----       ----         ---
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Issuance of preferred stock                                                   193          -        -          -           -
  Proceeds from bank loans, notes and bonds (Note 8)                            178        667      676        607         207
  Issuance of common stock                                                       24          8      132          -           -
  Retirement of bonds (Note 8)                                                 (228)      (645)    (645)       (12)       (606)
  Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net                                     142        349       44       (493)        371
  Repayment of bank loans                                                      (143)       (57)    (192)        (1)       (805)
  Payment of common stock dividends                                             (49)       (34)     (49)       (38)        (38)
  Payment of capital lease obligations                                          (24)       (18)     (26)       (36)        (41)
  Retirement of common and preferred stock                                       (2)        (3)      (3)        (1)        (35)
                                                                               ----       ----     ----        ----       ---- 
    Net cash provided by (used in)
      financing activities                                                       91        267      (63)        26        (947)
                                                                               ----       ----     ----       ----        ---- 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Temporary
  Cash Investments                                                               (2)       (51)     (61)       (36)         80
  Cash and temporary cash investments
         Beginning of year                                                       28         89       89        125          45
                                                                               ----       ----     ----       ----        ----
         End of year                                                           $ 26       $ 38     $ 28      $  89       $ 125
                                                                               ====       ====     ====       ====       =====
</TABLE>


        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.





                                      F-27
<PAGE>   168

                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                             ------------
                                                                                                 1994        1993       1992
                                                                                                 ----        ----       ----
                                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                         IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                                               <C>         <C>        <C>
ASSETS
Plant and Property (At Cost)
  Electric                                                                                        $5,523      $5,347     $5,076
  Gas                                                                                              1,931       1,862      1,749
  Oil and gas properties (full-cost method)                                                          925         845        768
  Other                                                                                              338         294        256
                                                                                                     ---         ---        ---
                                                                                                   8,717       8,348      7,849
  Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization (Note 3)                               4,244       4,022      3,775
                                                                                                   -----       -----      -----
                                                                                                   4,473       4,326      4,074
  Construction work-in-progress                                                                      279         257        252
                                                                                                     ---         ---        ---
                                                                                                   4,752       4,583      4,326
                                                                                                   -----       -----      -----
Investments
  First Midland Limited Partnership (Notes 4 and 17)                                                 216         213        208
  Independent power production                                                                       131         115          36
  Midland Cogeneration Venture Limited Partnership (Notes 4 and 17)                                   71          67          68
  Other                                                                                               50          26          26
                                                                                                      --          --          --
                                                                                                     468         421         338
                                                                                                     ---         ---         ---
Current Assets
  Cash and temporary cash investments at cost, which approximates
    market (Note 4)                                                                                   26          28          89
  Accounts receivable and accrued revenue, less allowances of $4,
    $4 and $5, respectively (Note 7)                                                                 112         149         183
  Inventories at average cost                                                                                           
    Gas in underground storage                                                                       271         228         204
    Materials and supplies                                                                            79          74          70
    Generating plant fuel stock                                                                       33          41          37
  Trunkline settlement (Note 5)                                                                       30          31          30
  Deferred income taxes (Note 6)                                                                      20          17          --
  Investment in MCV Bonds (Note 4)                                                                    --          --         322
  Prepayments and other                                                                               99         195         221
                                                                                                      --         ---         ---
                                                                                                     670         763       1,156
                                                                                                     ---         ---       -----
  Non-Current Assets
    Postretirement benefits (Note 11)                                                                490         491         466
    Nuclear decommissioning trust funds (Note 3)                                                     204         165         111
    Abandoned Midland project (Note 5)                                                               151         162         175
    Trunkline settlement (Note 5)                                                                     63          86         116
    Other                                                                                            363         293         160
                                                                                                     ---         ---         ---
                                                                                                   1,271       1,197       1,028
                                                                                                   -----       -----       -----
Total Assets                                                                                      $7,161      $6,964      $6,848
                                                                                                  ======      ======      ======
</TABLE>





                                      F-28
<PAGE>   169



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             SEPTEMBER 30,     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                               ------------
                                                                                                 1994        1993       1992
                                                                                                 ----        ----       ----
                                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                         IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                                              <C>        <C>         <C>
STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT AND LIABILITIES
  Capitalization (Note 8)
    Common stockholders' equity                                                                  $1,085     $  966      $  727
    Preferred stock of subsidiary                                                                   356        163         163
    Long-term debt                                                                                2,378      2,405       2,725
    Non-current portion of capital leases                                                           118        115          98
                                                                                                    ---        ---          --
                                                                                                  3,937      3,649       3,713
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
Current Liabilities
  Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases                                              238        368         132
  Notes payable                                                                                     401        259         215
  Accounts payable                                                                                  152        171         201
  Accounts payable--related parties                                                                  46         46          47
  Accrued taxes                                                                                     102        233         258
  MCV power purchases--settlement (Note 4)                                                           82         82          81
  Accrued refunds                                                                                    37         28          77
  Accrued interest                                                                                   29         40          50
  Deferred income taxes (Note 6)                                                                     --         --          21
  Other                                                                                             188        189         188
                                                                                                    ---        ---         ---
                                                                                                  1,275      1,416       1,270
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
Non-Current Liabilities
  Deferred income taxes (Note 6)                                                                    566        509         349
  Postretirement benefits (Note 11)                                                                 556        540         503
  MCV power purchases--settlement (Note 4)                                                          345        391         439
  Deferred investment tax credits                                                                   184        191         201
  Trunkline settlement (Note 5)                                                                      63         86         116
  Regulatory liabilities for income taxes, net (Note 6)                                              20          6          62
  Other                                                                                             215        176         195
                                                                                                    ---        ---         ---
                                                                                                  1,949      1,899       1,865
                                                                                                  -----      -----       -----
  Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 3, 4, 5, 12 and 13)
Total Stockholders' Investment and Liabilities                                                   $7,161     $6,964      $6,848
                                                                                                 ======     ======      ======
</TABLE>

        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.





                                      F-29
<PAGE>   170

                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION

             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Other            Retained
                                                       Number            Common         Paid-in          Earnings
                                                       of Shares          Stock         Capital          (Deficit)       Total
                                                       ---------         -------        -------          ---------       -----
                                                                           In Millions, Except Number of Shares

<S>                                                  <C>                     <C>        <C>              <C>            <C>
Balance at January 1, 1991  . . . . . . . . . .      80,745,032              $1          $1,565          $ (164)        $1,402
  Net loss  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                                            (276)          (276)
  Common stock dividends declared . . . . . . .                                                             (38)           (38)
  Net gain on retired stock . . . . . . . . . .                                               1                              1
  Reissuance of affiliate's
    preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                              (2)                            (2)
  Common stock reacquired . . . . . . . . . . .      (1,067,697)                            (30)                           (30)
  Common stock reissued . . . . . . . . . . . .         147,050                               3                              3
                                                     ----------              --          ------           -----        -------

Balance at December 31, 1991  . . . . . . . . .      79,824,385               1           1,537            (478)         1,060
  Net loss  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                                            (297)          (297)
  Common stock dividends declared . . . . . . .                                                             (38)           (38)
  Common stock reacquired . . . . . . . . . . .          (9,101)                             (1)                            (1)
  Common stock reissued . . . . . . . . . . . .         150,438                               3                              3
                                                     ----------              --          ------           -----        -------

Balance at December 31, 1992  . . . . . . . . .      79,965,722               1           1,539            (813)           727
  Net income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                                             155            155
  Common stock dividends declared . . . . . . .                                                             (49)           (49)
  Common stock reacquired . . . . . . . . . . .         (97,442)                             (3)                            (3)
  Common stock issued . . . . . . . . . . . . .       5,135,726                             132                            132
  Common stock reissued . . . . . . . . . . . .         192,789                               4                              4
                                                     ----------              --          ------           -----         ------

Balance at December 31, 1993  . . . . . . . . .      85,196,795               1           1,672            (707)           966
  Net income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                                             148            148
  Common stock dividends declared . . . . . . .                                                             (49)           (49)
  Common stock reacquired . . . . . . . . . . .         (85,174)                             (2)                            (2)
  Common stock issued . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,107,267                              24                             24
  Common stock reissued . . . . . . . . . . . .          28,040                               1                              1
  SFAS 115--unrealized loss,
    net of tax (A)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                              (3)                            (3)
                                                     ----------              --          ------           -----         ------ 

Balance at September 30, 1994 . . . . . . . . .      86,246,928              $1         $1,692            $(608)        $1,085
                                                     ==========              ==         ======            =====          ======
</TABLE>

(A)      Revaluation capital related to an unrealized loss on available for
         sale securities in conjunction with the January 1, 1994 adoption of
         SFAS 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
         Securities (see Note 9).



        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.





                                      F-30
<PAGE>   171

                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.  CORPORATE STRUCTURE

         CMS Energy is the parent holding company of Consumers and Enterprises.
Consumers, a combination electric and gas utility company serving most of the
Lower Peninsula of Michigan, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy.
Consumers' customer base includes a mix of residential, commercial and
diversified industrial customers, the largest of which is the automotive
industry.  Enterprises is engaged in several non-utility energy-related
businesses including: 1) oil and gas exploration and production, 2) development
and operation of independent power production facilities, 3) gas marketing
services to end-users and 4) transmission and storage of natural gas.

         In September 1994, management announced that Consumers is being
internally reorganized into separate electric utility and gas utility strategic
business units.  The restructuring, effective January 1, 1995, while not
affecting Consumers' or CMS Energy's consolidated financial statements or
corporate legal form, is designed to sharpen management focus, improve
efficiency and accountability in both business segments and better position
Consumers for growth in the gas market and to meet increased competition in the
electric power market.  Management believes that the strategic business unit
structure will allow each unit to focus more on its own profitability and
growth potential, and will ultimately, in the long term, result in lower
overall costs.

2.  CMS ENERGY STOCK PROPOSAL

         CMS Energy is seeking shareholder approval to amend its Articles of
Incorporation and authorize a new class of Common Stock of CMS Energy.  This
proposed new class of Common Stock, designated Class G Common Stock, will
reflect the separate performance of the gas distribution, storage and
transportation businesses conducted by Consumers and Michigan Gas Storage (such
businesses, collectively, will be attributed to the Consumers Gas Group). The
existing CMS Energy Common Stock will continue to be outstanding and, if and
after any shares of Class G Common Stock are issued by CMS Energy, will reflect
the performance of all of the businesses of CMS Energy and its subsidiaries,
including the business of the Consumers Gas Group, except for the interest in
the Consumers Gas Group attributable to the outstanding shares of the Class G
Common Stock.

         Following approval of the New Stock Proposal by the shareholders, CMS
Energy may, subject to prevailing market and other conditions, offer shares of
Class G Common Stock for sale for cash in an initial public offering. The net
proceeds of such offering would be invested in the businesses of CMS Energy and
used for its general corporate purposes.  Initially, such proceeds will be used
to repay a portion of the debt of CMS Energy (none of which is attributable to
the Consumers Gas Group). The timing and size of such public offering and the
price at which such shares would be sold would be determined by the Board of
Directors without further approval of the shareholders.  However, shares of
Class G Common Stock intended to represent up to approximately 30 percent of
the common stockholders' equity value attributed to the Consumers Gas Group are
currently expected to be offered to the public in the initial public offering.
Such offer will be made only by prospectus and after a Registration Statement
filed with respect thereto by CMS Energy under the Securities Act of 1933 has
become effective.  An application will be filed to list the Class G Common
Stock for trading on the NYSE in connection with any such offer.  Additional
authorized shares of Class G Common Stock could be offered by CMS Energy in the
future at the discretion of the Board of Directors and without further
shareholder approval.





                                      F-31
<PAGE>   172

         Although the financial statements of Consumers Gas Group separately
report the assets, liabilities and stockholders' equity, legal title to such
assets and the responsibility for such liabilities are not separately
identifiable to a specific class of Common Stock of CMS Energy.  Therefore, the
creditors of CMS Energy are unaffected by the implementation of the Consumers
Gas Group, because all assets of the corporation remain available to satisfy
all liabilities.  The holders of CMS Energy Common Stock and the proposed Class
G Common Stock continue to be subject to all risks associated with investments
in CMS Energy.  Holders of Class G Common Stock have no direct rights in the
equity or assets of Consumers Gas Group, but rather have rights in the equity
and assets of CMS Energy.

  Dividend Policy

         Dividends on the Class G Common Stock will be paid at the discretion
of the Board of Directors based primarily upon the earnings and financial
condition of the Consumers Gas Group, and, to a lesser extent, CMS Energy as a
whole.  Dividends will be payable out of the lesser of (i) the assets of CMS
Energy legally available therefor and (ii) the Available Class G Dividend
Amount.

         Dividends with respect to the Class G Common Stock are expected to be
paid commensurate with dividend practices of comparable publicly-held local
natural gas distribution companies generally.  Management believes that such
practices currently are to pay out from 70 percent to 85 percent of annual
earnings available for dividends on common stock.

         CMS Energy, in the sole discretion of its Board of Directors, could
pay dividends exclusively to the holders of CMS Energy Common Stock,
exclusively to the holders of Class G Common Stock, or to the holders of both
of such classes in equal or unequal amounts.  It is the Board of Directors'
current intention that the declaration or payment of dividends with respect to
the Class G Common Stock shall not be reduced, suspended or eliminated as a
result of factors arising out of or relating to the electric utility business
or the non-utility businesses of CMS Energy unless such factors also require,
in the Board of Directors' sole discretion, the omission of the declaration or
reduction in payment of dividends on both the CMS Energy Common Stock and the
Class G Common Stock.

         In making its dividend decisions with respect to the Class G Common
Stock, the Board of Directors will rely on the financial statements of the
Consumers Gas Group, as well as, to a lesser extent, the consolidated financial
statements of CMS Energy.  The method of calculating earnings per share for the
Class G Common Stock reflects the intent of the Board of Directors that the
separately reported assets and earnings of the Consumers Gas Group are to be
the source for payment of, and the basis for determining, dividends to be paid
on the Class G Common Stock, although liquidation rights of the Class G Common
Stock and legally available assets of CMS Energy are based on different
factors.

         In May 1994, the Board of Directors of CMS Energy approved a 17
percent increase in its common stock dividend, raising the annual rate to $.84
per share from $.72 per share.  The increase was effective with the dividend
payment in August 1994.

3.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER MATTERS

  Principles Applied in Financial Statements

         The consolidated financial statements include CMS Energy, Consumers
and Enterprises and their wholly owned subsidiaries.  CMS Energy eliminates all
material transactions between its consolidated companies.  CMS Energy uses the
equity method of accounting for investments in its companies and partnerships
where it has more than a 20 percent but less than a majority ownership interest





                                      F-32
<PAGE>   173

and includes these results in operating revenue.  For the years ended December
31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 equity earnings (losses) were $17 million, $(6)
million, and $(8) million, respectively.  For the nine month periods ended
September 30, 1994 and 1993, equity earnings were $21 million and $13 million,
respectively.

  Gas Inventory

         Consumers uses the weighted average cost method for valuing working
gas inventory.  Cushion gas, which is gas stored to maintain reservoir pressure
for recovery of working gas, is recorded in the appropriate gas utility plant
account.  Consumers maintains gas inventory in its underground storage
facilities.

  Maintenance, Depreciation and Depletion

         Property repairs and minor property replacements are charged to
maintenance expense.  Depreciable property retired or sold plus cost of removal
(net of salvage credits) is charged to accumulated depreciation.  Consumers
bases depreciation provisions for utility plant on straight-line and
units-of-production rates approved by the MPSC.  In May 1991, the MPSC approved
an increase of approximately $15 million annually in Consumers' electric and
common utility plant depreciation rates.  The composite depreciation rate for
electric utility property was 3.4 percent for 1993 and 1992 and 3.3 percent for
1991.  The composite rate for gas utility plant was 4.4 percent for 1993 and
4.3 percent for 1992 and 1991.

         NOMECO follows the full-cost method of accounting and, accordingly,
capitalizes its exploration and development costs, including the cost of
non-productive drilling and surrendered acreage, on a country-by-country basis.
The capitalized costs in each cost center are being amortized on an overall
units-of-production method based on total estimated proven oil and gas
reserves.

         The composite rates for Consumers' common property, NOMECO's other
property, and other property of CMS Energy and its subsidiaries were 4.5
percent in 1993, 4.7 percent in 1992 and 4.1 percent in 1991.

  New Accounting Standards

         In November 1992, the FASB issued SFAS 112, Employers' Accounting for
Postemployment Benefits, which CMS Energy adopted January 1, 1994.  CMS Energy
pays for several postemployment benefits, the most significant being workers'
compensation.  Because CMS Energy's postemployment benefit plans do not vest or
accumulate, the standard did not materially impact CMS Energy's financial
position or results of operations.  For new accounting standards related to
financial instruments, see Note 9.

  Nuclear Fuel, Decommissioning, Insurance and Other Nuclear Matters

         Consumers amortizes nuclear fuel cost to fuel expense based on the
quantity of heat produced for electric generation.  Interest on leased nuclear
fuel is expensed as incurred.  Under federal law, the DOE is responsible for
permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel at costs to be paid by affected
utilities under various payment options.  However, in a statement released
February 17, 1994, the DOE asserted that it does not have a legal obligation to
accept spent nuclear fuel without an operational repository.  The DOE is
exploring options to offset the costs incurred by nuclear utilities in
continuing to store spent nuclear fuel on site.  For fuel burned after April 6,
1983, Consumers charges disposal costs to nuclear fuel expense, recovers it
through electric rates and remits it to the DOE quarterly.  Consumers has
elected to defer payment for disposal of spent nuclear fuel burned before April
7, 1983 until the spent fuel is delivered to the DOE.  As of December 31, 1993,
Consumers has recorded a liability to the DOE of





                                      F-33
<PAGE>   174

$90 million, including interest, to dispose of spent nuclear fuel burned before
April 7, 1983.  Consumers has been recovering through electric rates the amount
of this liability, excluding a portion of interest.  Consumers' liability to
the DOE becomes due when the DOE takes possession of Consumers' spent nuclear
fuel, which was originally scheduled to occur in 1998.

         In April 1993, the NRC approved the design of the dry spent fuel
storage casks now being used by Consumers at Palisades.  In May 1993, the
Attorney General and certain other parties commenced litigation to block
Consumers' use of the storage casks, alleging that the NRC had failed to comply
adequately with the procedural requirements of the Atomic Energy Act and the
National Environmental Policy Act.  The courts have declined to prevent such
use and have refused to issue temporary restraining orders or stays.  Several
appeals relating to this matter are now pending at the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court
of Appeals where oral argument was held during October 1994.  As of October 31,
1994, Consumers had loaded seven dry storage casks with spent nuclear fuel and
expects to load six additional casks prior to Palisades' 1995 refueling.  If
Consumers is unable to continue to use the casks as planned, significant costs
could be incurred, including replacement power costs during any resulting plant
shutdown and costs to remove the spent fuel from the dry casks.  If Consumers
cannot store fuel on-site in the dry casks, and if no off-site storage is
available, Palisades could be forced to cease operation as early as mid-1995,
when all fuel must be off-loaded for a ten-year inspection of the reactor
vessel.  In order to address concerns raised subsequent to the initial cask
loading, Consumers and the NRC each analyzed the effects of seismic and other
natural hazards on the support pad on which the casks are placed, and concluded
that the pad location is acceptable to support the casks. See Note 19 with
regard to certain subsequent developments.

         In August 1994, Consumers announced that it would unload and replace
one of the dry fuel storage casks at Palisades that contain spent nuclear fuel.
In examining radiographs during a review of the cask manufacturer's quality
assurance program, Consumers detected indications of minor flaws in welds in
the steel liner of one of the loaded casks.  Although testing has not disclosed
any leakage from the cask, Consumers has nevertheless decided to remove the
spent fuel from this cask and insert it in another cask.  Consumers has
examined the radiographs for all of its casks, including the casks containing
spent fuel, and has found all other welds to be acceptable.

         Consumers collects estimated costs to decommission (decontamination
and dismantlement) its two nuclear plants through a monthly surcharge to
electric customers which currently totals $45 million annually.  Consumers
currently estimates decommissioning costs of $220 million and $423 million, in
1994 dollars, for the Big Rock Point ("Big Rock") nuclear power plant located
near Charlevoix, Michigan and Palisades, respectively.  Amounts collected from
electric retail customers and deposited in trusts, and earnings on the trusts,
which are credited to accumulated depreciation, are estimated to accumulate
$425 million and $1.2 billion for decommissioning Big Rock and Palisades,
respectively.  The trust funds, which are estimated to earn 7.1 percent, will
be used for decommissioning Big Rock and Palisades at the end of their
respective license periods in 2000 and 2007.  In order to meet NRC requirements
for decommissioning, Consumers prepared site-specific decommissioning cost
estimates for Big Rock and Palisades which assumed that each plant site will be
restored to conform with the adjacent landscape, and that all contaminated
equipment will be disassembled and disposed of in a licensed burial facility.
Consumers is currently updating those estimates, and expects that the
decommissioning costs may increase, principally due to the unavailability of
low- and high-level radioactive waste disposal facilities.  The lack of an
available disposal site could result in the need to maintain the facilities in
a mothballed state for a significant period of time after retirement.
Consumers expects to file updated decommissioning estimates with the MPSC on or
before March 31, 1995.  At September 30, 1994, Consumers had an investment in
nuclear decommissioning trust funds of $204 million for future decommissioning.





                                      F-34
<PAGE>   175


         The staff of the Commission has questioned certain accounting
practices of the electric utility industry, including Consumers, regarding the
recognition, measurement and classification of decommissioning costs for
nuclear generating stations in the financial statements.  In response to these
questions, the FASB has agreed to review the accounting for removal costs,
including decommissioning.  If current electric utility industry accounting
practices for such decommissioning are changed: annual provisions for
decommissioning could increase; estimated costs for decommissioning could be
recorded as a liability rather than as accumulated depreciation; and trust fund
income from the external decommissioning trusts could be reported as investment
income rather than as a reduction to decommissioning expense.

         Consumers, as a member of Nuclear Mutual Limited ("NML") and Nuclear
Electric Insurance Ltd.  ("NEIL") and through the purchase of other forms of
nuclear insurance, maintains coverage against property damage, debris removal,
personal injury liability and other losses for damages that could be incurred
at its nuclear generating facilities.  In the event of covered losses at its
own or any other participating nuclear facility, Consumers could be subject to
maximum assessments of: $31 million in any one year under the NML and NEIL
policies; $79 million per incident under the nuclear liability financial
protection portion, limited to a maximum payment of $10 million per incident in
any one year; and $6 million in the event of claims under the master workers
program.  Consumers considers the possibility of these assessments to be
remote.  For further information regarding Consumers' nuclear insurance, "CMS
Energy -- Management's Discussion and Analysis."

         In November 1993, Palisades returned to service following a planned
refueling and maintenance outage that had been extended due to several
unanticipated repairs (see Note 5).  The results of an NRC review of Consumers'
performance at Palisades published shortly after the planned outage showed a
decline in performance ratings for the plant.  In order to provide NRC senior
management with a more in-depth assessment of plant performance, the NRC
conducted a diagnostic evaluation inspection at Palisades.  The inspection
evaluated all aspects of nuclear plant operation and management.  The
inspection, completed in June 1994, found certain performance, operational and
management deficiencies at Palisades.  The NRC acknowledged that the new
Palisades senior management team, in place since early 1994, had recognized and
begun to address the problems at Palisades.  The NRC did not place Palisades on
either the NRC's "Troubled" or "Declining Performance" list.  In August 1994,
Consumers filed its response to the NRC's diagnostic evaluation report, which
included both short- and long-term enhancements planned for Palisades to
improve performance.  Attaining and maintaining acceptable performance at
Palisades will require continuing performance improvements and additional
expenditures at the plant, which have been included in Consumers' total planned
levels of expenditures.

         As the holder of a license to operate a pressurized-water reactor
nuclear power plant, Consumers is required by NRC regulations to calculate and
report to the NRC, values relating to the continuing ability of the Palisades
reactor vessel to withstand postulated "pressurized thermal shock" events
during its remaining license life, in light of the embrittlement of reactor
vessel materials over time due to operation in a radioactive environment.  If
the results of the calculation indicate that a temperature screening criterion
established in the regulations will be exceeded, Consumers must submit a safety
analysis to determine what, if any, plant modifications are necessary to
prevent potential reactor vessel failure as a result of postulated pressurized
thermal shock events if continued operation beyond the screening criterion
value is allowed, and the NRC will then decide whether to permit continued
operation in excess of the criterion.  Consumers had previously submitted a
calculation indicating that the Palisades reactor vessel would not exceed the
screening criterion before the year 2004.  Preliminary analysis of more recent
data from testing of similar materials indicates that the Palisades reactor
vessel could exceed the screening criterion prior to 2004, but will meet
established requirements without any actions by





                                      F-35
<PAGE>   176

Consumers through at least 1998.  Consumers is continuing to analyze this data
and will report its conclusions to the NRC in late November.  Consumers is also
continuing to analyze alternative means to permit continued operation of
Palisades to the end of its license life in the year 2007.  Consumers cannot
predict the outcome of these efforts.

  Plateau Resources Ltd.

         In August 1993, Consumers sold its ownership interest in Plateau
Resources Ltd.  ("Plateau") to U. S. Energy Corp. As a result of the sale,
approximately $14 million of Plateau's cash and cash equivalents, other assets
and liabilities, including certain future decommissioning, environmental and
other contingent liabilities were transferred to U. S. Energy Corp. In view of
prior write-offs, this transaction did not result in any material gains or
additional losses.

  Reclassifications

         CMS Energy and the MCV Partnership (see Note 17) have reclassified
certain prior year amounts for comparative purposes.  These reclassifications
did not affect the net losses for the years presented.

  Related-Party Transactions

         In 1993, 1992 and 1991, Consumers purchased $52 million, $36 million
and $26 million, respectively, of electric generating capacity and energy from
affiliates of Enterprises.  Affiliates of CMS Energy sold, stored and
transported natural gas and provided other services to the MCV Partnership
totaling approximately $27 million, $21 million and $19 million for 1993, 1992
and 1991, respectively.  For additional discussion of related-party
transactions with the MCV Partnership and the FMLP, see Notes 4 and 17.  Other
related-party transactions are immaterial.

  Revenue and Fuel Costs

         Consumers accrues revenue for electricity and gas used by its
customers but not billed at the end of an accounting period.  Consumers also
accrues or reduces revenue for any underrecovery or overrecovery of electric
power supply costs and natural gas costs by establishing a corresponding asset
or liability until Consumers bills these unrecovered costs or refunds the
excess recoveries to customers after reconciliation hearings conducted before
the MPSC.

  Unaudited Interim Information

         Amounts as of, and for, and pertaining to the nine month periods ended
September 30, 1994 and 1993 included herein are unaudited.  In the opinion of
management, the unaudited financial information for the nine months ended
September 30, 1994 and 1993 reflects all adjustments necessary to assure the
fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

  Utility Regulation

         Consumers accounts for the effects of regulation under SFAS 71,
Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation. As a result, the
actions of regulators affect when revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities
are recognized.

  Other

         For significant accounting policies regarding cash equivalents, see
Note 15; for income taxes, see Note 6; and for pensions and other
postretirement benefits, see Note 11.





                                      F-36
<PAGE>   177

4.  THE MIDLAND COGENERATION VENTURE

         The MCV Partnership, which leases and operates the MCV Facility,
contracted to sell electricity to Consumers for a 35-year period beginning in
1990 and to supply electricity and steam to The Dow Chemical Company for 15-
and 20-year periods, respectively.  At September 30, 1994, Consumers, through
its subsidiaries, held the following assets related to the MCV: 1) CMS Midland
Inc., a subsidiary of MGL ("CMS Midland"), owned a 49 percent general
partnership interest in the MCV Partnership; and 2) CMS Holdings held through
the FMLP a 35 percent lessor interest in the MCV Facility.

  Power Purchases from the MCV Partnership

         Consumers' obligations for purchase of contract capacity from the MCV
Partnership under the PPA since 1992 follow:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  1995 AND
YEAR                                             1992             1993             1994          THEREAFTER
- ----                                             ----             ----             ----          ----------
<S>                                              <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>
MW                                               915             1,023             1,132            1,240
</TABLE>

         Prior to 1993, the MPSC allowed Consumers to recover costs of power
purchased from the MCV Partnership based on delivered energy for up to 840 MW
at rates less than Consumers paid.  As a result, Consumers recorded after-tax
losses of $86 million in 1992 and $124 million in 1991.  In March 1993, the
MPSC approved, with modifications, the settlement proposal to resolve MCV cost
recovery issues, PURPA issues and court remand as filed with the MPSC on July
7, 1992 and amended on September 8, 1992 (the "Revised Settlement Proposal"),
which had been co-sponsored by Consumers, the MPSC staff and 10 small power and
cogeneration developers.  These parties accepted the Settlement Order and the
MCV Partnership confirmed that it did not object to the modifications.  ABATE
and the Attorney General have filed claims of appeal of the Settlement Order
with the Court of Appeals.

         The Settlement Order determined the cost of power purchased from the
MCV Partnership that Consumers can recover from its electric retail customers
and significantly reduced the amount of future underrecoveries for these power
costs.  Effective January 1993, the Settlement Order allowed Consumers to
recover substantially all of the payments for its ongoing purchase of 915 MW of
contract capacity from the MCV Partnership.  Capacity and energy purchases from
the MCV Partnership above the 915 MW level can be competitively bid into
Consumers' next solicitation for power or, if necessary, utilized for current
power needs with a prudency review and a cost recovery determination in annual
PSCR cases.  In either instance, the MPSC would determine the levels of
recovery from customers for the power purchased.  The Settlement Order also
provides Consumers the right to remarket to third parties the remaining
contract capacity, the cost of which Consumers is currently not authorized to
recover from retail customers.

         The PPA provides that Consumers is to pay to the MCV Partnership a
minimum levelized average capacity charge of 3.77 cents per kWh, a fixed energy
charge and a variable energy charge which is based primarily on Consumers'
average cost of coal consumed.  Consumers is scheduling deliveries of energy
from the MCV Partnership whenever it has energy available up to hourly
availability limits, or "caps," for the 915 MW of capacity authorized for
recovery in the Settlement Order.  Consumers can recover an average 3.62 cents
per kWh capacity charge and the prescribed energy charges associated with the
scheduled deliveries within the caps, whether or not those deliveries are
scheduled on an economic basis.  Through December 1997, there is no cap applied
during on-peak hours to Consumers' recovery for the purchase of capacity made
available within the 915 MW authorized.  Recovery for purchases during off-peak
hours is capped at 80 percent in 1993, 82 percent in 1994 and 1995, 84 percent
in 1996 and 1997, increasing to 88.7 percent in 1998 and thereafter at which
time the 88.7 percent cap is





                                      F-37
<PAGE>   178

applicable during all hours.  For all economic energy deliveries above the caps
to 915 MW, Consumers is allowed to recover 1/2 cent per kWh capacity payment in
addition to the corresponding variable energy charge.

         In December 1992, Consumers recognized an after-tax loss of $343
million for the present value of estimated future underrecoveries of power
costs under the PPA as a result of the Settlement Order.  This loss included
management's best estimates regarding the future availability of the MCV
Facility, and the effect of the future power market on the amount, timing and
price at which various increments of the capacity above the MPSC-authorized
level could be resold.  Except for adjustments to the above loss to reflect the
after-tax time value of money through accretion expense, no additional losses
are expected unless actual future experience materially differs from
management's estimates.  Because the calculation of the 1992 loss depended in
part upon estimates of future unregulated sales of energy to third parties, a
more conservative or risk-free investment rate of 7 percent was used to
calculate $188 million of the total $343 million after-tax loss.  The remaining
portion of the loss was calculated using an 8.5 percent discount rate
reflecting Consumers' incremental borrowing rate as required by SFAS 90,
Regulated Enterprises-Accounting for Abandonments and Disallowances of Plant
Costs.  The after-tax expense for the time value of money for the loss is
estimated to be $24 million in 1994, and various lower levels thereafter,
including $22 million in 1995 and $20 million in 1996.  Although the settlement
loss was recorded in 1992, Consumers continues to experience cash
underrecoveries associated with the Settlement Order.  These after-tax cash
underrecoveries, including fixed energy charges (in connection with a dispute
with the MCV Partnership discussed below) which are being escrowed, were $59
million in 1993, and totaled $51 million for the first nine months of 1994.
Consumers believes there is and will be a market for the resale of capacity
purchases from the MCV Partnership above the MPSC-authorized level.  However,
if Consumers is unable to sell any capacity above the current MPSC-authorized
level, future additional after-tax losses and after-tax cash underrecoveries
could be incurred.  Consumers' estimates of its 1994 and future after-tax cash
underrecoveries and possible additional losses for the next five years if none
of the additional capacity is sold are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                1994             1995             1996             1997             1998
                                ----             ----             ----             ----             ----
                                                         AFTER-TAX, IN MILLIONS
<S>                              <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>             <C>
Expected cash
  underrecoveries                $65             $65              $62               $61             $ 8
Possible additional
  underrecoveries
  and losses(a)                  $ 5             $20              $20               $22             $72
</TABLE>

(a)      If unable to sell any capacity above the MPSC's authorized level.

         The undiscounted, after-tax amount of the $343 million loss was $789
million.  At December 31, 1993, and September 30, 1994, the after-tax, present
value of the Settlement Order liability totaled $307 million and $277 million,
respectively.  The reduction in the Settlement Order liability during the nine
months ended September 30, 1994, reflects after-tax cash underrecoveries
related to capacity totaling $47 million, partially offset by after-tax
accretion expense of $17 million.

         The PPA, while providing for payment of a fixed energy charge,
contains a "regulatory out" provision which permits Consumers to reduce the
fixed energy charges payable to the MCV Partnership throughout the entire
contract term if Consumers is not able to recover these amounts from its
customers.  In connection with the MPSC's approval of the Revised Settlement
Proposal, Consumers and the MCV Partnership are engaged in arbitration
proceedings under the PPA to determine whether Consumers is entitled to
exercise its regulatory out regarding fixed energy charges on the portion of
available MCV capacity above the current





                                      F-38
<PAGE>   179

MPSC-authorized levels.  An arbitrator acceptable to both parties has been
selected and hearings are being conducted.  If the arbitrator determines that
Consumers cannot exercise its regulatory out, Consumers would be required to
make these fixed energy payments to the MCV Partnership even though Consumers
may not be recovering these costs.  The arbitration proceedings will also
determine who is entitled to the fixed energy amounts for which Consumers did
not receive full cost recovery during the years prior to settlement.  Although
Consumers believes its position on arbitration is sound and intends to
aggressively pursue its right to exercise the regulatory out, management cannot
predict the outcome of the arbitration proceedings or any possible settlement
of the matter.  Accordingly, losses were recorded prior to 1993 for all fixed
energy amounts at issue in the arbitration.  At September 30, 1994, $25 million
has been escrowed by Consumers and is included as a non-current asset in
Consumers' financial statements.  In December 1993, Consumers made an
irrevocable offer to pay through September 15, 2007, fixed energy charges to
the MCV Partnership on all kWh delivered by the MCV Partnership to Consumers
from the contract capacity in excess of 915 MW, which represents a portion of
the fixed energy charges in dispute.  Consumers made the offer in connection
with the sale of its remaining $309 million investment in the senior secured
lease obligation bonds and subordinated secured lease obligation bonds issued
in connection with the MCV Bonds which was completed in 1993. See Note 19 with
regard to certain subsequent developments.

         The lessors of the MCV Facility have filed a lawsuit in federal
district court in New York against CMS Energy, Consumers and CMS Holdings.  It
alleges breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and negligent or
fraudulent misrepresentation relating to the MCV Partnership's failure to
object to the Settlement Order in light of Consumers' interpretation of the
Settlement Order, which is the subject of the arbitration between the MCV
Partnership and Consumers discussed above.  The action alleges damages in
excess of $1 billion and seeks injunctive relief relative to Consumers'
payments of the fixed energy charges.  CMS Energy and Consumers believe that at
all times they and CMS Holdings have conducted themselves properly and that the
action is without merit.  It appears from the complaint that a significant
portion of the alleged damages represent fixed energy charges in dispute in the
arbitration.  CMS Energy and Consumers have requested that the lawsuit be
dismissed for lack of jurisdiction and have commenced a lawsuit in Midland,
Michigan, to address these issues.  While management believes that the
possibility of the alleged damages being awarded is remote, CMS Energy and
Consumers are unable to predict the outcome of this issue.  In addition, CMS
Holdings has filed a lawsuit in the circuit court of Jackson, Michigan, seeking
reimbursement of $7 million of certain tax indemnification payments made to its
partners in the FMLP and owed to CMS Holdings.  Consumers is unable to predict
the outcome of this issue.

         In May 1994, Consumers was notified by the MCV that it was initiating
arbitration proceedings under the PPA to determine whether the energy charge
paid to the MCV is being properly calculated.  Consumers believes that its
calculation of the energy charge is correct.  The amount in dispute, which
relates to the period beginning in 1990 and continuing through the term of the
PPA, is estimated by the MCV Partnership to total $8 million annually.  The
parties are in the process of selecting an arbitrator and establishing a
schedule for arbitration.  Consumers cannot predict the timing and outcome of
these proceedings.

         In July 1994, Consumers paid $30 million to terminate a power purchase
agreement with a 65 MW coal-fired cogeneration facility being developed by
Michigan Cogeneration Partners.  Consumers plans to seek MPSC approval to
substitute 65 MW of less expensive contract capacity from the MCV Facility
which Consumers is currently not authorized to recover from retail customers.
The proposed substitution of capacity which would start in 1997, the year the
coal-fired cogeneration facility was scheduled to begin operations, represents
significant savings to Consumers' customers, compared to the cost approved by
the MPSC for a coal-fired cogeneration facility.  As a result, Consumers
recorded a





                                      F-39
<PAGE>   180

regulatory asset of $30 million, which it believes will ultimately be
recoverable in rates.

         PSCR Matters.  Consistent with the terms of the 1993 Settlement Order,
Consumers withdrew its appeals of various MPSC orders issued in connection with
several PSCR cases.  Consumers also agreed not to appeal any MCV-related issues
raised in future orders for these plan cases and related reconciliations to the
extent those issues are resolved by the Settlement Order.  Consumers made
refunds, including interest, of $69 million in 1993 and $29 million in 1992 to
customers for overrecoveries in connection with the 1991 and 1990 PSCR
reconciliation cases, respectively.  These amounts were included in losses
recorded prior to 1993.  In 1992, Consumers recovered MCV power purchase costs
consistent with the MPSC's 1992 plan case order, and does not anticipate that
any MCV-related refunds will be required.  In March 1994, the MPSC issued an
order in the PSCR reconciliation case for 1992 confirming Consumers' recovery
for the purchase of 840 MW from the MCV in accordance with the MPSC plan case
order and allowing recovery for the purchase of power above 840 MW based on
replacement power costs.  The MPSC subsequently confirmed the recovery of
MCV-related costs consistent with the Settlement Order as part of the 1993 and
1994 plan case orders.

5.  RATE MATTERS

  Electric Rate Case

         In May 1994, the MPSC issued an order, granting Consumers a $58
million annual increase in its retail electric rates.  The order provides
Consumers with higher revenues associated with increased expenditures primarily
related to capital additions, operation and maintenance, higher depreciation
and postretirement benefits computed under SFAS 106, Employers' Accounting for
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions, and the continuation of certain
demand-side management programs at reduced levels.  The MPSC order generally
supported Consumers' rate design proposal and reduced the level of
subsidization of residential customers by commercial and industrial customers.
Consequently, residential customers were allocated $40 million, which is 70
percent of the rate increase.

         In November 1994, Consumers filed a request with the MPSC which could
increase its retail electric rates in a range from $104.4 million to $139.5
million, depending upon the ratemaking treatment afforded sales losses to
competition and the treatment of the MCV contract capacity above 915 MW.  The
request includes recognition of increased expenditures related to continuing
construction activities and capital additions aimed at maintaining and
improving system reliability and increases in financing costs.  The filing
addresses the ratemaking effect of jurisdictional sales losses by assuming
adoption of a proposed special nonjurisdictional rate to large, qualifying
industrial customers as requested by Consumers in an earlier June 1994 filing
with the MPSC.  An alternative approach presented would use the MCV contract
capacity above 915 MW for jurisdictional electric customers and offer
discounted jurisdictional tariffs.  Consumers has also requested that the MPSC
eliminate the rate cross-subsidization of residential rates in a two-step
adjustment.  In addition, Consumers proposes to eliminate all DSM expenditures
after April 1995 and further requests MPSC approval to recover all
jurisdictional costs associated with the proposed settlement of the proceedings
concerning the operation of the Ludington pumped storage facility
("Ludington").

         Special Rates.  In June 1994, Consumers also filed a request with the
MPSC, seeking approval of a plan to offer competitive, special rates to certain
large qualifying customers.  Consumers proposes to offer the new rates to
customers using high amounts of electricity that have expressed an intention to
or are capable of terminating purchases of electricity from Consumers and have
the ability to acquire energy from alternative sources.  To serve these
customers,





                                      F-40
<PAGE>   181

Consumers would use power purchases from the MCV Partnership which exceed the
915 MW currently recoverable from electric retail customers.  Certain other
parties have subsequently filed various alternative proposals.  The MPSC has
adopted a hearing schedule that calls for briefs to be filed in December 1994.
A final order is expected in the first quarter of 1995.

         Abandoned Midland Project.  In 1984, Consumers abandoned construction
of its unfinished nuclear power plant located in Midland, Michigan, and
subsequently took a series of write-downs.  In 1991, the MPSC issued orders
permitting recovery of a portion of the plant and Consumers began collecting
$35 million pretax annually for the next 10 years and is amortizing the assets
against current income over the recovery period using an interest method.
Amortization for 1993, 1992 and 1991 was $28 million, $28 million and $18
million, respectively.

         Consumers was not permitted to earn a return on the portion of the
abandoned Midland investment for which the MPSC was allowing recovery.
Therefore, under SFAS 90, the recorded losses described above included amounts
that reduced the recoverable asset to the present value of future recoveries.
During the remaining recovery period, part of the prior losses will be reversed
to adjust the unrecovered asset to its present value and is reflected as
accretion income.  An after-tax total of approximately $35 million of the prior
losses remains to be included in accretion income through April 2001.  Several
parties, including the Attorney General, have filed claims of appeal with the
Court of Appeals regarding MPSC orders issued in 1991 that specified the
recovery of abandoned investment.  Oral arguments before the Court of Appeals
were held in October 1994.

         Electric DSM.  As a result of settlement discussions regarding
demand-side management and an MPSC order in 1991, Consumers agreed to spend $65
million over two years on demand-side management programs.  Based on the MPSC's
determination of Consumers' effectiveness in implementing these programs,
Consumers' future rate of return on common equity may be adjusted either upward
by up to 1 percent or downward by up to 2 percent.  This adjustment, if
implemented, would be applied to Consumers' retail electric tariff rates and be
in effect for one year following reconciliation hearings with the MPSC.  The
estimated revenue effects of the potential adjustment range from an $11 million
increase to a $22 million decrease.  The proceedings before the MPSC have
started and based on the criteria set out in the demand-side management
settlement agreement approved by the MPSC in 1992, Consumers has achieved all
the agreed-upon objectives.  Consumers believes that the MPSC will ultimately
allow collection of the full $11 million incentive.  Accordingly, during the
second quarter of 1994, Consumers recognized $11 million in revenue, related to
its demand-side management program.  A final order from the MPSC is expected by
mid-1995.

         In October 1993, Consumers completed the customer participation
portion of these DSM programs.  In May 1994, as part of Consumers' electric
rate case, the MPSC issued an order that allowed Consumers to recover
demand-side management expenditures which exceeded $65 million.  The order also
authorized Consumers to continue certain programs in 1994 through 1996.
Consumers is deferring program costs and amortizing the costs over the period
these costs are being recovered from its customers in accordance with an
accounting order issued by the MPSC in September 1992.  The unamortized balance
of deferred costs at September 30, 1994, December 31, 1993 and December 31,
1992 was $71 million, $71 million, and $25 million, respectively.

  PSCR Issues

         On November 9, 1994, the ALJ presiding over the 1993 PSCR
reconciliation proceeding issued a proposal for decision in this case.  Several
issues were included in this proposal for decision including issues related to
a planned refueling and maintenance outage which Consumers began at Palisades
in June 1993.





                                      F-41
<PAGE>   182

Following several required, unanticipated repairs that extended the outage, the
plant returned to service in early November.  In addition, from mid-February
through mid-June 1994, Palisades was temporarily taken out of service to repair
valve-leakage and conduct other needed inspections and repairs.  Recovery of
replacement power costs incurred by Consumers during these outages were
reviewed during the 1993 PSCR reconciliation of actual costs and revenues to
determine the prudency of actions taken during the outages.  The 1994 outages
will be reviewed as part of that year's reconciliation proceedings.  Net
replacement power costs during the outages were approximately $180,000 per day
above the cost of fuel Consumers would have otherwise incurred when the plant
is operating.  Consumers had conceded that one day of the 1993 outage was
inappropriate, while the MPSC staff has recommended a 20-day disallowance.  The
ALJ proposed a disallowance of 22 days of outage totaling $4.2 million.  CMS
Energy had previously established a reserve for this potential disallowance.
See Note 3 for information regarding the NRC's review of Palisades'
performance.

         The Energy Policy Act of 1992 ("Energy Act") imposes an obligation on
the utility industry, including Consumers, to decommission DOE uranium
enrichment facilities.  Consumers currently estimates its payments for
decommissioning those facilities to be $2.4 million per year for 15 years
beginning in 1992, escalating based on an inflation factor.  Consumers believes
these costs are recoverable from its customers under traditional regulatory
policies.  At December 31, 1993, Consumers' remaining estimated liability was
approximately $33 million.  At December 31, 1993, Consumers had a regulatory
asset of $33 million for the expected recovery of this amount in electric
rates.

  Gas Rates

         In July 1994,  the MPSC approved an agreement previously reached
between the MPSC staff and Consumers, to charge $10 million of costs for
postretirement benefits computed under SFAS 106 against earnings over the last
six months of 1994.  This charge against earnings will partially offset costs
related to state property taxes which have been reduced.  The agreement was
reached in response to an assertion by the MPSC staff that gas utility business
earnings for 1993 were in excess of the currently authorized level.  The
agreement also provides for an additional $4 million of 1995-related SFAS 106
costs to be charged against 1995 earnings instead of being deferred.  As part
of the agreement, Consumers committed to file a gas rate case before December
31, 1994, that will among other things, incorporate costs increases, including
costs for postretirement benefits computed under SFAS 106, into its retail gas
rates.  A final order should be received approximately 9 to 12 months after the
request is filed.  No assurance can be given as to the level of rates which
will be authorized by the MPSC.  Consumers' gas distribution business is
currently authorized to earn a 13.25 percent rate of return on equity.
Consumers' most recent rate filing for its electric utility business resulted
in an authorized rate of return on equity of 11.75 percent.  See Note 19 with
regard to certain subsequent developments.

  GCR Issues

         In connection with its 1991 GCR reconciliation case, Consumers
refunded $36 million, including interest, to its firm sales and transportation
rate customers in April 1992.  Consumers accrued the full amount for this
refund in 1991.

         The MPSC issued an order during 1993 that approved an interim
settlement agreement for the 12 months ended March 31, 1993.  As a result of
the settlement, Consumers refunded in August 1993, to its GCR and
transportation customers, approximately $22 million, including interest.
Consumers previously accrued amounts sufficient for this refund.

         The MPSC, in a February 1993 order, provided that the price payable to
certain intrastate gas producers by Consumers be reduced prospectively.  As a
result, Consumers was not allowed to recover $13 million of costs incurred
prior





                                      F-42
<PAGE>   183

to February 8, 1993.  Consumers previously had accrued a loss for this issue in
excess of the disallowed amount.  Future disallowances are not anticipated,
unless the remaining appeals filed by the intrastate producers are successful.

         In 1992, the FERC approved a settlement involving Consumers, Trunkline
and certain other parties, which resolved numerous claims and proceedings
concerning Trunkline liquefied natural gas costs.  The settlement represents
significant gas cost savings for Consumers and its customers in future years.
As part of the settlement, Consumers will not incur any transition costs from
Trunkline as a result of FERC Order 636.  In 1992, Consumers recorded a
liability and regulatory asset for the principal amount of payments to
Trunkline over a five-year period.  In May 1993, the MPSC approved a separate
settlement agreement that provides Consumers with full recovery of these costs
over a five-year period.  At December 31, 1993, Consumers' remaining liability
and regulatory asset were $117 million.  At September 30, 1994, Consumers'
liability and regulatory asset were $93 million.

  Other

         A dispute involving pricing under contracts Consumers had with eight
direct gas suppliers has been resolved.  The dispute revolved around whether
the price Consumers pays Trunkline for gas was the proper reference price for
these eight gas supply contracts.  Consumers and seven of the suppliers have
agreed to enter into new contracts, at negotiated rates, with initial terms
ranging from one to three years.  Consumers and the remaining supplier agreed
to terminate their existing contract.

         Estimated losses for certain contingencies discussed in this note have
been accrued.  Resolution of these contingencies is not expected to have a
material impact on Consumers' financial position or results of operations.

6.  INCOME TAXES

         CMS Energy and its subsidiaries (including Consumers) file a
consolidated federal income tax return.  Income taxes are generally allocated
to each subsidiary based on each subsidiary's separate taxable income.  In
1992, CMS Energy implemented SFAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.  Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are classified as current or noncurrent based on the
classification of the related asset or liability, for all temporary
differences.  Consumers began practicing full deferred tax accounting for
temporary differences arising after January 1, 1993 as authorized by a generic
MPSC order.  The generic order reduces the amount of regulatory assets and
liabilities that otherwise could have arisen in future periods by allowing
Consumers to reflect the income statement effect in the period temporary
differences arise.

         CMS Energy uses ITC to reduce current income taxes payable and defers
and amortizes ITC over the life of the related property.  The AMT requires
taxpayers to perform a second separate federal tax calculation based on a flat
rate applied to a broader tax base.  AMT is the amount by which this
"broader-based" tax exceeds regular tax.  Any AMT paid generally becomes a tax
credit that can be carried forward indefinitely to reduce regular tax
liabilities in future periods when regular taxes paid exceed the tax calculated
for AMT.

         On August 10, 1993, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993
increased the statutory federal tax rate from 34 percent to 35 percent
effective January 1, 1993.  The cumulative effect of this tax rate change has
been reflected in CMS Energy's financial statements.





                                      F-43
<PAGE>   184

         The significant components of income tax expense (benefit) consisted
of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                      ------------
                                                                            1993          1992     1991(A)
                                                                            ----          ----     -------
                                                                                      IN MILLIONS

<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>            <C>
Current federal income taxes                                                 $ 19         $  39          $  13
Deferred income taxes                                                          67          (177)          (143)
Deferred income taxes--tax rate change                                         (1)            -              -
Deferred ITC, net                                                             (10)           (8)            36
                                                                             ----         -----          -----
                                                                             $ 75         $(146)         $ (94)
                                                                             ====         =====          ===== 
Operating                                                                    $ 81         $  19          $  13
Other                                                                          (6)         (165)          (107)
                                                                             ----         -----          ----- 
                                                                             $ 75         $(146)         $ (94)
                                                                             ====         =====          ===== 
</TABLE>

(a)      The 1991 provision for income taxes was before an extraordinary item
         that had related deferred income taxes of approximately $7 million.

         The principal components of CMS Energy's deferred tax assets
(liabilities) recognized in the balance sheet are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                            ------------
                                                                                         1993           1992
                                                                                         ----           ----
                                                                                             IN MILLIONS

<S>                                                                                     <C>            <C>
Property                                                                                $  (580)       $  (521)
Unconsolidated investments                                                                 (194)          (128)
Postretirement benefits (Note 11)                                                          (180)          (167)
Abandoned Midland project (Note 5)                                                          (57)           (60)
Employee benefit obligations (includes postretirement
  benefits of $182 and $168) (Note 11)                                                      204            189
MCV power purchases--settlement (Note 4)                                                    165            177
AMT carryforward                                                                            110             83
ITC carryforward (expires 2005)                                                              48             52
Other                                                                                        (8)             5
                                                                                        -------        -------
                                                                                        $  (492)       $  (370)
                                                                                        =======        ======= 
Gross deferred tax liabilities                                                          $(1,571)       $(1,416)
Gross deferred tax assets                                                                 1,079          1,046
                                                                                        -------        -------
                                                                                        $  (492)       $  (370)
                                                                                        =======        ======= 
</TABLE>

         The actual income tax expense (benefit) differs from the amount
computed by applying the statutory federal tax rate to income before income
taxes as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                      ------------
                                                                            1993          1992          1991
                                                                            ----          ----          ----
                                                                                      IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>            <C>
Net income (loss) before preferred dividends
  and extraordinary item                                                     $166         $(286)         $(252)
Income tax expense (benefit)                                                   75          (146)           (94)
                                                                             ----         -----          ----- 
                                                                              241          (432)          (346)
Statutory federal income tax rate                                             x35%          x34%           x34%
                                                                             ----         -----          ----- 
Expected income tax expense (benefit)                                          84          (147)          (118)
Increase (decrease) in taxes from:
  Capitalized overheads previously flowed through                               5             5             35
Differences in book and tax depreciation not
  previously deferred                                                           6             9              8
ITC amortization and utilization                                              (12)          (11)            (9)
Other, net                                                                     (8)           (2)           (10)
                                                                             ----         -----           ---- 
                                                                             $ 75         $(146)          $(94)
                                                                             ====         =====           ==== 
</TABLE>





                                       F-44
<PAGE>   185



7.  SHORT-TERM FINANCINGS

         In October 1994, the FERC granted Consumers' request for authorization
to issue or guarantee up to $900 million of short-term debt through December
31, 1996.  This is the same amount of short-term debt currently authorized
through 1994.  Consumers has a $470 million facility that is used to finance
seasonal working capital requirements and unsecured, committed lines of credit
aggregating $185 million.  At December 31, 1993, $235 million and $24 million
were outstanding at weighted average interest rates of 4.0 percent and 3.9
percent, respectively.  At September 30, 1994, Consumers had $300 million and
$101 million, respectively, outstanding under these facilities.  During the
first quarter of 1994, Consumers reduced the outstanding balance of both
facilities to zero.  Further, Consumers has an established $500 million trade
receivables purchase and sale program.  At September 30, 1994 and 1993, and
December 31, 1993 and 1992, receivables sold under the agreement totaled $210
million, $160 million, $285 million and $225 million, respectively.  Accounts
receivable and accrued revenue in the Consolidated Balance Sheets have been
reduced to reflect receivables sold.

8.  CAPITALIZATION

  CMS Energy

         Capital Stock.  CMS Energy's Articles currently permit it to issue up
to 250 million shares of Common Stock at $.01 par value and up to 5 million
shares of CMS Energy Preferred Stock at $.01 par value.  Under the Unsecured
Credit Facility and the GTN Indenture pursuant to which the GTNs are issued,
which currently contain CMS Energy's most restrictive dividend covenant, CMS
Energy is permitted to pay, as dividends on its common stock, an amount not to
exceed the total of its net income, as defined in the GTN Indenture, and any
proceeds received from the issuance or sale of common stock and $120 million,
provided there exists no event of default under the terms of the Unsecured
Credit Facility or the GTN Indenture. The same limits apply to amounts
available to repurchase or reacquire CMS Energy Common Stock.  In October 1993,
CMS Energy issued an additional 4.6 million shares of common stock at a price
of $26.  The net proceeds of $119 million were used to reduce existing debt and
for general corporate purposes.  On October 6, 1994, CMS Energy filed a shelf
registration statement for the offering and issuance of up to two million
shares of common stock.  As described in the Commission filing, the shares may
be offered and issued in connection with acquisitions of energy-related
businesses and assets.

         CMS Energy is seeking shareholder approval to amend its Articles of
Incorporation and authorize a new class of Common Stock of CMS Energy.  If such
amendment is approved by the shareholders the number of authorized shares of
capital stock would increase from 225 million to 320 million shares consisting
of 250 million shares of CMS Energy Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, 60
million shares of Class G Common Stock, no par value, and 10 million shares of
CMS Energy Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share.

         The holders of any outstanding Class G Common Stock will vote with the
holders of CMS Energy Common Stock as a single class, except on matters which
would be required by law or the Articles of Incorporation to be voted on by
class.  The Class G Common Stock will have one vote per share.

         CMS Energy may exchange the Class G Common Stock for a proportionate
number of shares of a subsidiary that holds all the assets and liabilities
attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, and no other assets and liabilities.

         If CMS Energy transfers all or substantially all of the properties and
assets attributed to the Consumers Gas Group, CMS Energy is required, subject
to certain exceptions and conditions, to exchange each outstanding share of
Class G





                                      F-45
<PAGE>   186

Common Stock for a number of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock having a Fair
Market Value equal to 110% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Class G
Common Stock.

         CMS Energy also could, in the sole discretion of the Board of
Directors, at any time, exchange each outstanding share of Class G Common Stock
for a number of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock having a Fair Market Value
equal to 115% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Class G Common Stock.

         In the event of the liquidation of CMS Energy, each outstanding share
of Class G Common Stock will be entitled to a share of the assets remaining for
distribution to holders of Common Stock equal to the amount of such assets
divided by the total number of shares of CMS Energy Common Stock and Class G
Common Stock then outstanding.

         CMS Energy as parent holding company, is paid dividends from its
principal subsidiaries, primarily Consumers.  The ability of CMS Energy to pay
dividends on its capital stock will depend substantially upon timely receipt of
sufficient dividends or other distributions from Consumers, its principal
subsidiary.  Consumers' ability to pay dividends on its common stock depends
upon the revenues, earnings and other factors.  Consumers' revenues and
earnings will depend substantially upon its ability to secure timely and
appropriate relief from the MPSC.  There is no fixed relationship, on a per
share or aggregate basis, between the dividends that may be paid by CMS Energy
to holders of its Common Stock and the cash dividends or other amounts that may
be paid by Consumers to CMS Energy.

         Long-Term Debt.  In October 1992, CMS Energy received proceeds of $130
million and $219 million from the issuance of Series A Senior Deferred Coupon
Notes due October 1, 1997 (the "Series A Notes") and Series B Senior Deferred
Coupon Notes due October 1, 1999 (the "Series B Notes"), respectively.
Interest will accrue and increase the principal to the face value of $172
million for the Series A Notes and $294 million for the Series B Notes through
October 1, 1995.  After such date, interest will be paid semi-annually
commencing April 1, 1996, at a rate of 9.5 percent per annum for the Series A
Notes and 9.875 percent per annum for the Series B Notes.  In November 1992,
CMS Energy entered into a $220 million Secured Credit Facility.  As of December
31, 1993, $18 million was outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of
5.7 percent.  The establishment of the Secured Credit Facility and the proceeds
from the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes, net of underwriting expenses,
were used to retire the $410 million one-year secured revolving credit
facility.

         In January 1994, CMS Energy filed a registration statement with the
Commission permitting the issuance and sale of up to $250 million of GTNs.  The
net proceeds are being used to reduce the amount of Series A Notes and Series B
Notes outstanding and for general corporate purposes.  As of November 4, 1994,
CMS Energy had issued approximately $80 million of GTNs with interest rates
ranging from 6.75 to 7.75 percent and reduced the principal amount of Series B
Notes outstanding by $95 million.

         On July 29, 1994, CMS Energy refinanced its Secured Credit Facility
with a new $400 million Credit Facility and extended the termination date to
June 30, 1997.  Under the terms of the Credit Facility CMS Energy's aggregate
unsecured debt outstanding cannot exceed the greater of (i) $850 million or
(ii) 4.5 times the cash dividend income received from its subsidiaries.  At
October 31, 1994, $129 million was outstanding at a weighted average interest
rate of 6.4 percent.





                                      F-46
<PAGE>   187

  Consumers

         Capital Stock.  At December 31, 1992, Consumers effected a
quasi-reorganization, an elective accounting procedure in which Consumers'
accumulated deficit of $574 million was eliminated against other paid-in
capital.  This action had no effect on CMS Energy's consolidated financial
statements.  As a result of the quasi-reorganization and subsequent accumulated
earnings, Consumers paid a total of $133 million in common stock dividends in
1993 and also paid a $16 million common stock dividend during the first quarter
of 1994 from 1993 earnings.  In addition, through September 30, 1994, Consumers
paid $97 million in 1994 common dividends from current year earnings.  In
October 1994, Consumers declared a $36 million common stock dividend payable in
November 1994.

         In March 1994, Consumers issued and sold 8 million shares of Class A
Preferred Stock (cumulative, without par value) with a stated annual dividend
rate of 8.32 percent.  Net proceeds to Consumers were $193 million.  The stock
is redeemable at the option of Consumers, on or after April 1, 1999, at a
redemption price of $25 per share plus accrued dividends.

         First Mortgage Bonds.  Consumers secures its first mortgage bonds by a
mortgage and lien on substantially all of its property.  Consumers' ability to
issue and sell securities is restricted by certain provisions in its First
Mortgage Bond Indenture, Articles and the need for regulatory approvals in
compliance with applicable state and federal law.  In September 1993, Consumers
issued, with MPSC approval, $300 million of 6 3/8 percent first mortgage bonds,
due 2003 and $300 million of 7 3/8 percent first mortgage bonds, due 2023.
Consumers used the net proceeds from the bond issuance to refund approximately
$515 million of higher interest first mortgage bonds and the balance to reduce
current short-term borrowings.  Unamortized debt costs, premiums and discounts
and call premiums on the refunded debt totaling approximately $18 million were
deferred under SFAS 71, and are being amortized over the lives of the new debt.

         In the first quarter of 1994, Consumers redeemed first mortgage bonds
totaling $100 million.  These redemptions completed Consumers' commitment to
the MPSC, under a 1993 authorization to issue first mortgage bonds, to
refinance certain long-term debt.

         Long-Term Bank Debt.  In January 1993, Consumers entered into an
interest rate swap agreement, exchanging variable-rate interest for a
fixed-rate interest of 5.2 percent on the latest maturing $250 million of the
then remaining $500 million obligation under its long-term credit agreement.
The swap agreement has the same term as the debt agreement and had the effect
of increasing the weighted average interest rate to 4.8 percent from 3.9
percent for the 12 month period ended December 31, 1993.  The swap agreement
will amortize beginning in February 1995 and terminate in May 1996.  At
September 30, 1994, the outstanding balance of Consumers' long-term credit
agreement totaled $328 million.  In November 1994, subsequent to MPSC
authorization, Consumers entered into a new $400 million unsecured, variable
rate, five-year term loan and subsequently used the proceeds to refinance the
long-term credit agreement discussed above and to reduce short-term borrowings.

         Other.  Consumers has a total of $131 million of PCRBs outstanding
with a weighted average interest rate of 4.2 percent at December 31, 1993.
Consumers classifies $101 million of PCRBs as long-term because it can
refinance these amounts through irrevocable letters of credit expiring after
one year.

         In June 1993, Consumers entered into loan agreements in connection
with the issuance of approximately $28 million of adjustable rate demand
limited obligation refunding revenue bonds, due 2010, which are secured by an
irrevocable letter of credit expiring in 1996.  These bonds bear an initial
interest rate of 2.65 percent.  Consumers also entered into loan agreements in
connection with the issuance of $30 million of 5.8 percent limited obligation
refunding revenue





                                      F-47
<PAGE>   188

bonds, due 2010, secured by a financial guaranty insurance policy and certain
first mortgage bonds of Consumers.  Proceeds of these issues were used to
redeem on August 1, 1993 in advance of their maturities, approximately $58
million of outstanding PCRBs.

         In May 1994, Consumers received a $100 million equity investment from
CMS Energy.  The investment was consistent with CMS Energy's plan to improve
Consumers' capital structure and was recognized and included in the
capitalization structure employed by the MPSC as part of Consumers' most recent
electric rate order.

  NOMECO

         In June, 1994, NOMECO executed a non-binding letter of intent which
calls for a newly-formed subsidiary of CMS Energy to merge with and into
Walter, thereby making Walter a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMS Energy.  Walter
is a privately held corporation primarily engaged in international oil and gas
exploration, development and production and activities related thereto.  The
letter of intent has expired pursuant to its terms.  Nonetheless, NOMECO
expects that this transaction will be completed in late 1994 or early 1995.
The letter of intent contemplated that the holders of Walter common stock would
receive shares of CMS Energy Common Stock with an aggregate market value of
approximately $25 million.

         As of December 31, 1993, NOMECO had total debt outstanding of $122
million.  Senior serial notes amounting to $45 million with a weighted average
interest rate of 9.4 percent are outstanding from a private placement.  In
November 1993, NOMECO amended the terms of its revolving credit agreement and
increased the amount to $110 million.  At December 31, 1993 and September 30,
1994, $72 million and $90 million was outstanding at a weighted average
interest rate of 4.7 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively.  At December 31,
1993, NOMECO also had $5 million outstanding under other credit agreements.

  CMS Generation

         As of December 31, 1993, MOAPA Energy Limited Partnership, a
wholly-owned affiliate of CMS Generation ("MOAPA"), had $22 million of Clark
County, Nevada, tax-exempt bonds outstanding with an interest rate of 3.35
percent.  These bonds are backed by a letter of credit guaranteed by CMS
Energy.  In May 1994, MOAPA redeemed $22 million of Clark County, Nevada
tax-exempt bonds.  The bonds had been included in current maturities on the
balance sheet and the funds held in a trust account had been included as other
current assets.  The bonds were issued in 1990 for the purpose of providing
partial funding for the development of a proposed tires-to-energy solid waste
disposal and resource recovery facility.  The bonds were redeemed due to the
Nevada Public Service Commission's rejection of a signed power purchase
agreement for the facility.

9.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

         The carrying amounts of cash, short-term investments and current
liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of those
instruments.  The estimated fair values of long-term investments are based on
quoted market prices where available.  When specific market prices do not exist
for an instrument, the fair value is based on quoted market prices of similar
investments or other valuation techniques.  All long-term investments in
financial instruments approximate fair value.  The carrying amount of long-term
debt was $2.4 billion and $2.7 billion and the fair value of long-term debt was
$2.6 billion and $2.8 billion as of December 31, 1993 and 1992, respectively.
Although the current fair value of the long-term debt, which is based on
calculations made by debt pricing specialists, may be greater than the current
carrying amount, settlement of the reported debt is generally not expected
until maturity.  The fair value of CMS Energy's off-balance sheet financial
instruments





                                      F-48
<PAGE>   189

is based on the amount estimated to terminate or settle the obligation.  The
fair value of interest rate swap agreements was $6 million and $1 million and
guarantees/letters of credit was $96 million and $56 million as of December 31,
1993 and 1992, respectively (see Notes 8 and 13).

         On January 1, 1994, CMS Energy adopted SFAS 115, Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, requiring accounting for
investments in debt securities to be held to maturity at amortized cost;
otherwise debt and marketable equity securities are recorded at fair value,
with any unrealized gains or losses included in earnings if the securities are
for trading purposes or as a separate component of stockholders' equity if the
securities are classified as available for sale.  CMS Energy has nuclear
decommissioning and SERP investments classified as available for sale
securities with an amortized cost of $227 million and a fair market value of
$223 million as of September 30, 1994.  An unrealized loss on available for
sale securities of $3 million, net of taxes, is included in common
stockholders' equity for nine months ended September 30, 1994.  CMS Energy also
has certain equity investments classified as trading securities with a carrying
cost of $11 million and a fair market value of $15 million.  An unrealized gain
on trading securities of $3 million, net of taxes, is included in other income
for nine months ended September 30, 1994.

         In May 1993, the FASB issued SFAS 114, Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan, effective in 1995, requiring that certain loans that are
determined to be impaired be measured based on the present value of expected
future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's
observable market price or the fair value of any collateral for a secured loan.
CMS Energy does not believe this standard will have a material impact on its
financial position or results of operations.

         In October 1994, the FASB issued SFAS 118, Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan-Income Recognition and Disclosures, which amends SFAS 114,
Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan.  SFAS 114 provided two
alternatives for income recognition to be used for changes in the net carrying
amount of an impaired loan subsequent to the initial measure of impairment.
The creditor could recognize all changes in the net carrying amount of the loan
as an adjustment to bad-debt expense, or the creditor could accrue interest on
the net carrying amount of the impaired loan and recognize other changes as an
adjustment to bad-debt expense.  SFAS 118 allows the use of any existing
methods for recognizing interest income on impaired loans.

         In October 1994, the FASB also issued SFAS 119, Disclosure about
Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments, which
requires added disclosures about the amounts, nature and terms of derivatives.
Derivatives are financial agreements whose returns are linked to or derived
from the performance of underlying assets such as bonds, currencies or
commodities.  CMS Energy is continuing to study SFAS 118 and SFAS 119, which
are effective for year-end 1994 financial statements, but does not expect
either statement will have a material impact on CMS Energy's financial position
or results of operations.

10.  EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

         Under CMS Energy's Performance Incentive Stock Plan, restricted shares
of Common Stock of CMS Energy, stock options and stock appreciation rights may
be granted to key employees based on their contributions to the successful
management of CMS Energy and its subsidiaries.  The plan reserves for award not
more than 2 percent of CMS Energy's common stock outstanding on January 1 each
year, less the number of shares of restricted common stock awarded and of
common stock subject to options granted under the plan during the immediately
preceding four calendar years.  Any forfeitures are subject to award under the
plan.  As of December 31, 1993, awards of up to 447,686 shares of common stock
may be issued.





                                      F-49
<PAGE>   190


         Restricted shares of common stock are outstanding shares with full
voting and dividend rights.  Performance criteria were added in 1990 based on
CMS Energy's total return to shareholders.  Shares of restricted common stock
cannot be distributed until they are vested and the performance objectives are
met.  Further, the restricted stock is subject to forfeiture if employment
terminates before vesting.  If key employees exceed performance objectives, the
plan will allow additional awards.  Restricted shares vest fully if control of
CMS Energy changes, as defined by the plan.  As of December 31, 1993, 289,874
shares of the 316,187 restricted shares outstanding are subject to performance
objectives.

         Consumers' Executive Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights Plan,
an earlier plan approved by shareholders, remains in effect until all
authorized options are granted or September 25, 1995.  As of December 31, 1993,
options for 43,000 shares remained to be granted.

         Under both plans, for stock options and stock appreciation rights, the
exercise price on each grant date equaled the closing market price on the grant
date.  Options are exercisable upon grant and expire up to 10 years and one
month from date of grant.  The status of the restricted stock granted under the
Performance Incentive Stock Plan and options granted under both plans follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           RESTRICTED
                                                             STOCK                      OPTIONS
                                                             -----                      -------
                                                            NUMBER           NUMBER                  PRICE
                                                          OF SHARES         OF SHARES              PER SHARE
                                                          ---------         ---------              ---------
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>                    <C>
Outstanding at January 1, 1991                            212,500         1,162,216              $ 7.13-$34.25
  Granted                                                  97,000           194,000              $21.13-$21.13
  Exercised or Issued                                     (34,437)          (65,125)             $ 7.13-$16.00
                                                          -------         ---------              -------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1991                          275,063         1,291,091              $ 7.13-$34.25
  Granted                                                 101,000           215,000              $17.13-$18.00
  Exercised or Issued                                     (37,422)          (21,000)             $13.00-$16.00
  Canceled                                                (15,375)          (50,000)             $20.50-$33.88
                                                          -------         ---------              -------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1992                          323,266         1,435,091              $ 7.13-$34.25
  Granted                                                 132,000           249,000              $25.13-$26.25
  Exercised or Issued                                     (54,938)         (152,125)             $ 7.13-$21.13
  Canceled                                                (84,141)          (33,000)             $20.50-$33.88
                                                          -------         ---------              -------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1993                          316,187         1,498,966              $ 7.13-$34.25
                                                          =======         =========              =============
</TABLE>

11.  RETIREMENT BENEFITS

  Postretirement Benefit Plans Other Than Pensions

         CMS Energy and its subsidiaries adopted SFAS 106 effective as of the
beginning of 1992.  The standard required CMS Energy to change its accounting
for the cost of health care and life insurance benefits that are provided to
retirees from a pay-as-you-go (cash) method to a full accrual method.  CMS
Energy's non-utility subsidiaries expensed their accumulated transition
obligation liability.  The amount of such transition obligation is not material
to the presentation of the consolidated financial statements or significant to
CMS Energy's total transition obligation.  Consumers recorded a liability of
$466 million for the accumulated transition obligation and a corresponding
regulatory asset for anticipated recovery in utility rates.

         Both the MPSC and FERC have generally adopted SFAS 106 costs for
ratemaking purposes provided costs recovered through rates are placed in
external funds until they are needed to pay benefits.  The MPSC's generic order
allows utilities three years to seek recovery of costs and provides for
recovery from customers of any deferred costs incurred prior to the beginning
of rate recovery of such costs.  Consumers anticipates recovering its
regulatory asset within 20 years.  As discussed in Note 5, Consumers has
requested recovery of the portion of these costs allocated to the electric
business.  In late 1994, Consumers plans to





                                      F-50
<PAGE>   191

request recovery of the gas utility portion of these costs.  CMS Energy plans
to fund the benefits using external Voluntary Employee Beneficiary
Associations.  Funding of the health care benefits would begin when Consumers'
rate recovery based on SFAS 106 begins.  A portion of the life insurance
benefits have previously been funded.

         As of December 31, 1993, the actuary assumed that retiree health care
costs increased 10.5 percent in 1994, then decreased gradually to a 5.5 percent
increase in 2000 and thereafter.  The health care cost trend rate assumption
significantly affects the amounts reported.  For example, a 1 percentage point
increase in each year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation as of December 31, 1993 by $75 million and the aggregate of the
service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit
costs for 1993 by $9 million.

         For the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1992, the weighted average
discount rate was 7.25 percent and 8 percent, respectively, and the expected
long-term rate of return on plan assets was 8.5 percent.  Net periodic
postretirement benefit cost for health care benefits and life insurance
benefits was $51 million in 1993 and $50 million in 1992.  The 1993 and 1992
cost was comprised of $13 million and $11 million for service plus $38 million
and $39 million for interest, respectively.

         The funded status of the postretirement benefit plans is reconciled
with the liability recorded at December 31 as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         1993           1992
                                                                                         ----           ----
                                                                                             IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                                       <C>            <C>
Actuarial present value of estimated benefits
  Retirees                                                                                $ 282          $ 265
  Eligible for retirement                                                                    54             50
  Active (upon retirement)                                                                  190            177
                                                                                          -----          -----
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation                                               526            492
Plan assets (premium deposit fund) at fair value                                              4              4
                                                                                          -----          -----
Projected postretirement benefit obligation in
  excess of plan assets                                                                    (522)          (488)
Unrecognized prior service cost                                                             (39)           (39)
Unrecognized net loss                                                                        41             33
                                                                                          -----          -----
Recorded liability                                                                        $(520)         $(494)
                                                                                          =====          ===== 
</TABLE>

         CMS Energy's postretirement health care plan is unfunded; the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for that plan is $514 million and
$482 million at December 31, 1993 and 1992, respectively.  Consumers' total
regulatory asset was $510 million and $485 million at December 31, 1993 and
1992, respectively.

  Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

         Certain management employees qualify under the SERP.  Benefits are
based on the employee's service and earnings as defined in the SERP.  In 1988,
a trust from which SERP benefits are paid was established and funded.  Because
the SERP is not a qualified plan under the Internal Revenue Code, earnings of
the trust are taxable and trust assets are included in Consumers' consolidated
assets.  At December 31, 1993 and 1992, trust assets at cost (which
approximates market) were $18 million and $16 million, respectively, and were
classified as other non-current assets.





                                      F-51
<PAGE>   192

  Defined Benefit Pension Plan

         A trusteed, non-contributory, defined benefit Pension Plan covers
substantially all employees.  The benefits are based on an employee's years of
accredited service and earnings, as defined in the plan, during an employee's
five highest years of earnings.  Because the plan is fully funded, no
contributions were made for plan years 1991 through 1993.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                      ------------
                                                                            1993          1992          1991
                                                                            ----          ----          ----
<S>                                                                         <C>           <C>            <C>
Discount rate                                                               7.25%          8.5%           8.5%
Rate of compensation increase                                                4.5%          5.5%           5.5%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets                                 8.75%         8.75%          8.75%
                                                                            =====         =====          =====
</TABLE>

         Net Pension Plan and SERP costs consisted of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                      ------------
                                                                            1993          1992          1991
                                                                            ----          ----          ----

<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>            <C>
Service cost                                                                 $ 19          $ 19           $ 18
Interest cost                                                                  50            48             48
Actual return on plan assets                                                  (92)          (36)           (88)
Net amortization and deferral                                                  34           (20)            29
                                                                             ----          ----           ----
Net periodic pension cost                                                    $ 11          $ 11           $  7
                                                                             ====          ====           ====
</TABLE>


         The funded status of the Pension Plan and SERP reconciled to the
pension liability recorded at December 31 was:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PENSION PLAN                    SERP
                                                                   ------------                    ----
                                                                  1993          1992        1993        1992
                                                                  ----          ----        ----        ----
                                                                                IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>
Actuarial present value of estimated benefits
  Vested                                                           $471          $349         $ 16        $ 11
  Non-vested                                                         56            49            -           -
                                                                   ----          ----         ----        ----
Accumulated benefit obligation                                      527           398           16          11
Provision for future pay increases                                  138           177            8           6
                                                                   ----          ----         ----        ----
Projected benefit obligation                                        665           575           24          17
Plan assets (primarily stocks and bonds,
  including $87 in 1993 and $64 in 1992 in
  common stock of CMS Energy) at fair value                         692           631            -           -
                                                                   ----          ----         ----        ----
Projected benefit obligation less than
  (in excess of) plan assets                                         27            56          (24)        (17)
Unrecognized net (gain) loss from experience
  different than assumed                                            (56)          (76)           7           2
Unrecognized prior service cost                                      45            49            1           1
Unrecognized net transition (asset) obligation                      (44)          (49)           1           1
Adjustment to recognize minimum liability                             -             -           (1)          -
                                                                   ----          ----         ----        ----
Recorded liability                                                 $(28)         $(20)        $(16)       $(13)
                                                                   ====          ====         ====        ==== 
</TABLE>

         Beginning January 1, 1986, the amortization period for the Pension
Plan's unrecognized net transition asset is 16 years and 11 years for the
SERP's unrecognized net transition obligation.  Prior service costs are
amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of
active employees.  In 1991, certain eligible employees accepted early
retirement incentives.  The incentives consisted of lump-sum cash payments and
increased pension payments.  The pretax cost of the incentives was $25 million.
Also in





                                       F-52
<PAGE>   193

1991, portions of the projected benefit obligation were settled which resulted
in a pretax gain of $25 million that offset the early retirement costs.

12.  LEASES

         CMS Energy, Consumers, and Enterprises lease various assets, including
vehicles, aircraft, construction equipment, computer equipment, nuclear fuel
and buildings.  Consumers' nuclear fuel capital leasing arrangement was
extended an additional year and is now scheduled to expire in November 1995.
The maximum amount of nuclear fuel that can be leased increased from $55
million to $70 million.  Consumers further increased this amount in early 1994
to $80 million.  The lease provides for an additional one-year extension upon
mutual agreement by the parties.  Upon termination of the lease, the lessor
would be entitled to a cash payment equal to its remaining investment, which
was $57 million as of December 31, 1993.  Consumers is responsible for payment
of taxes, maintenance, operating costs, and insurance.

         Minimum rental commitments under CMS Energy's non-cancelable leases at
December 31, 1993, were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       CAPITAL       OPERATING
                                                                                        LEASES         LEASES
                                                                                        ------         ------
                                                                                             IN MILLIONS

<S>                                                                                        <C>             <C>
1994                                                                                       $ 43            $ 9
1995                                                                                         64              8
1996                                                                                         16              3
1997                                                                                         15              3
1998                                                                                         13              3
1999 and thereafter                                                                          26             22
                                                                                           ----            ---
Total minimum lease payments                                                                177            $48
                                                                                                           ===
Less imputed interest                                                                        27
                                                                                           ----
Present value of net minimum lease payments                                                 150
Less current portion                                                                         35
                                                                                           ----
Non-current portion (a)                                                                    $115
                                                                                           ====
</TABLE>

- ------------------
(a)      In January 1994, Consumers amended its nuclear fuel lease to include
         fuel previously owned at Big Rock and further increased the maximum
         amount of nuclear fuel that could be leased to $80 million.  At
         September 30, 1994, $61 million was under lease.


         Consumers recovers these charges from customers and accordingly
charges payments for its capital and operating leases to operating expense.
Operating lease charges, including charges to clearing and other accounts as of
December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991, were $18 million, $15 million and $15
million, respectively.

         Capital lease expenses for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1992 and
1991 were $34 million, $47 million and $51 million, respectively.  Included in
these amounts for the years ended 1993, 1992 and 1991, are nuclear fuel lease
expenses of $13 million, $17 million and $24 million, respectively.

13.  COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER

  Ludington Pumped Storage Plant

         In October 1994, Consumers, Detroit Edison, the Attorney General, the
DNR and certain other parties, signed an agreement in principle designed to
resolve all legal issues associated with fish mortality at Ludington.  The
proposed settlement, which allows for the continued operation of the plant
through the end of its FERC license, will require Consumers and Detroit Edison
to continue using a seasonal barrier net as well as monitoring new technology
which may further reduce fish loss at the plant.  The proposed settlement also
requires Consumers to make annual payments to the Great Lakes





                                      F-53
<PAGE>   194

Fishery Trust, develop and improve recreational areas and convey undeveloped
land to the State of Michigan and the Great Lakes Fishery Trust.  Upon approval
of the settlement agreement, Consumers will transfer land (with an original
cost of $9 million and a fair market value in excess of $20 million), make an
initial payment of approximately $3 million and incur approximately $1 million
of expenditures related to recreational improvements.  Future annual payments
of approximately $1 million are also anticipated over the next 24 years and are
intended to enhance the fishery resources of the Great Lakes.  The agreement is
subject to MPSC approval of Consumers being permitted to recover all such
settlement costs from electric customers, and approval by the FERC.

         The proposed settlement would resolve a lawsuit filed by the Attorney
General in 1986 on behalf of the State of Michigan in the Circuit Court of
Ingham County, seeking damages from Consumers and Detroit Edison for injuries
to fishery resources because of the operation of the Ludington plant.  The
state sought $148 million (including $16 million of interest) for past injuries
and $89,000 per day for future injuries, with the latter amount to be adjusted
upon installation of "adequate" fish barriers and other changed conditions.
Since 1986 the parties have continued to dispute, in various courts, the amount
of actual damages as well as the best alternative to mitigate future damages.

  Environmental Matters

         Consumers is a so-called "potentially responsible party" at several
sites being administered under Superfund.  Along with Consumers, there are
numerous credit-worthy, potentially responsible parties with substantial assets
cooperating with respect to the individual sites.  Based on information
currently known by management, Consumers believes that it is unlikely that its
liability at any of the known Superfund sites, individually or in total, will
have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of
operations.

         Under Michigan's Environmental Response Act, Consumers expects that it
will ultimately incur clean-up costs at a number of sites, including some of
the 23 sites that formerly housed manufactured gas plant facilities, even those
in which it has a partial or no current ownership interest.  Parties other than
Consumers with current or former ownership interests may also be considered
liable for site investigations and remedial actions.

         Consumers has prepared plans for remedial investigation/feasibility
studies for several of these manufactured gas plant sites to define the nature
and extent of contamination at these sites and to determine which of several
possible remedial action alternatives, including no action, may be required
under the Environmental Response Act.  The DNR has approved two of three plans
for remedial investigation/feasibility studies submitted by Consumers and is
currently reviewing the third.

         The findings for the first remedial investigation indicate that the
expenditures for remedial action at this site are likely to be minimal.
However, Consumers does not believe that a single site is representative of all
of the sites.  Data available to Consumers and its continued internal review
have resulted in an estimate for all costs related to remedial action for all
23 sites of between $40 million and $140 million.  These estimates are based on
undiscounted 1994 costs.  At September 30, 1994, Consumers has accrued a
liability of $40 million, representing the minimum amount in the range.  Any
significant change in assumptions such as remediation technique, nature and
extent of contamination and regulatory requirements, could impact the estimate
of remedial costs for the sites.

         Consumers believes that remedial costs are recoverable in rates as the
MPSC in 1993 addressed the question of recovery of investigation and remedial
costs for another Michigan gas utility as part of a gas rate case.  In that
proceeding, the MPSC determined that prudent investigation and remedial costs
could be deferred and amortized over 10-year periods.  In order to be
recoverable in rates, prudent costs must be approved in a rate case.  Any costs
amortized in years prior to filing a rate





                                      F-54
<PAGE>   195

case may not be recoverable.  The MPSC stated that the length of the
amortization period may be reviewed from time to time, but any revisions would
be prospective.  The order further provided that the prudency review would
include a review of the utility's attempts to obtain reimbursement from others.
The MPSC has also approved similar deferred accounting requests by two other
Michigan utilities relative to investigation and remediation costs.
Accordingly, Consumers has recorded a regulatory asset for the same amount as
the accrued liability for anticipated recovery of these investigation and
remedial clean-up costs.  Consumers has initiated discussions with certain
insurance companies regarding coverage for some or all of the costs which may
be incurred for these sites.  Consumers plans to seek recovery of remedial
action costs in its gas rate case to be filed in 1994.

         Included in the 1990 amendments to the federal Clean Air Act are
provisions that limit emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides and
require enhanced emissions monitoring.  All of Consumers' coal-fueled electric
generating units burn low-sulfur coal and are presently operating at or near
the sulfur dioxide emission limits which will be effective in 2000.  Beginning
in 1995, certain coal-fueled generating units will receive emissions allowances
(all of Consumers' coal units will receive allowances beginning in 2000).
Based on projected emissions from these units, Consumers expects to have excess
allowances which may be sold or saved for future use.

         The Clean Air Act's provisions require Consumers to make capital
expenditures estimated to total $74 million through 1999 for completed,
in-process and possible modifications at coal-fired units based on current
regulations.  Management believes that Consumers' annual operating costs will
not be materially affected.

  Capital Expenditures

         CMS Energy's currently estimates capital expenditures, including DSM
and new lease commitments, will be $863 million for 1994, $733 million for 1995
and $645 million for 1996.

  Commitments for Coal and Gas Supplies

         Consumers has entered into coal supply contracts with various
suppliers for its coal-fired generating stations.  These contracts have
expiration dates that range from 1994 to 2004.  Generally, Consumers contracts
for approximately 70% of its annual coal requirements which in 1993 totaled
approximately $260 million.  Consumers supplements its long-term contracts with
spot market purchases to fulfill its coal needs.

         Consumers has entered into gas supply contracts with various suppliers
for its natural gas business.  These contracts have expiration dates that range
from 1994 to 1999.  Generally, Consumers contracts for approximately 75% of its
annual gas requirements which in 1993 totaled approximately $680 million.
Consumers supplements its long-term contracts with spot-market purchases to
fulfill its gas needs.

  Public Utility Holding Company Act Exemption

         CMS Energy is exempt from registration under PUHCA.  However, the
Attorney General and the MMCG have asked the Commission to revoke CMS Energy's
exemption from registration under PUHCA.  In 1992, the MPSC filed a statement
with the Commission recommending that CMS Energy's current exemption be revoked
and a new exemption be issued conditioned upon certain reporting and operating
requirements.  If CMS Energy were to lose its current exemption, it would
become more heavily regulated by the Commission; Consumers could ultimately be
forced to divest either its electric or gas utility business; and CMS Energy
would be restricted from conducting businesses that are not functionally
related to the conduct of its utility business as determined by the Commission.
CMS Energy is opposing this request and believes it will maintain its current
exemption from registration under PUHCA.





                                      F-55
<PAGE>   196

  Other

         As of December 31, 1993, CMS Energy and Enterprises have guaranteed up
to $90 million in contingent obligations of unconsolidated affiliates of
Enterprises' subsidiaries.

         NOMECO has hedging arrangements which are used to reduce the risk of
price fluctuations for its spot sales of oil and gas.  These arrangements limit
potential gains/losses from any future decrease/increase in the spot prices.

         NOMECO has one arrangement which is used to fix the price that NOMECO
will pay to supply gas for the years 2001--2006 by purchasing the economic
equivalent of 10,000 million British Thermal Units ("BTU" and one million BTU
is referred to as "MMBtu") per day at a fixed, escalated price starting at
$2.82 per MMBtu in 2001.  The settlement periods are each a one-year period
ending December 31, 2001 through 2006 on 3.65 MMBtu.  If the "floating price,"
essentially the then current Gulf Coast spot price, for a period is higher than
the "fixed price," the seller pays NOMECO the difference, and vice versa.  If a
party's exposure at any time exceeds $2 million, that party is required to
obtain a letter of credit in favor of the other party for the excess over $2
million and up to $10 million, which is the maximum exposure under this hedge
arrangement.  At December 31, 1993 and September 30, 1994, the seller had
arranged a letter of credit in NOMECO's favor for $10 million.

         NOMECO also periodically enters into oil and gas price hedging
arrangements to mitigate its exposure to price fluctuations on the sale of
crude oil and natural gas.  As of December 31, 1993, NOMECO was party to gas
price collar contracts on 7.3 Bcf of gas for the delivery months of January
through December 1994 at prices ranging from $2.05 to $2.30 per MMBtu.  Also,
NOMECO has contracts on 7.3 Bcf of gas for the delivery months of January
through December 1995 at prices ranging from $2.05 to $2.35 per MMBtu.  These
hedging arrangements are accounted for as hedges; accordingly, any gains or
losses are deferred and recognized on the settlement dates.  As of December 31,
1993 and September 30, 1994, the fair value of these hedge arrangements was not
materially different than the book value.

         In 1993, Consumers experienced increases in complaints relating to
so-called stray voltage.  Claimants contend that stray voltage results when
small electrical currents present in grounded electric systems are diverted
from their intended path.  Investigation by Consumers of prior stray voltage
complaints disclosed that many factors, including improper wiring and
malfunctioning of on-farm equipment, can lead to the stray voltage phenomenon.
Consumers maintains a policy of investigating all customer calls regarding
stray voltage and working with customers to address their concerns including,
when necessary, modifying the configuration of the customer's hook-up to
Consumers.  A complaint seeking certification as a class action suit was filed
against Consumers in a local county circuit court in 1993.  The complaint
alleged the existence of a purported class that incurred damages in excess of
$1 billion, primarily to certain livestock owned by the purported class, as a
result of stray voltage from electricity being supplied by Consumers.
Consumers believes the allegations to be without merit and in March 1994, the
circuit judge hearing the complaint refused to grant class action status to the
suit.  In April 1994, the plaintiffs in this action appealed the matter to the
Court of Appeals.  Consumers believes that the various claims are different
enough to warrant separate trials, and that the circuit court's denial of
class-action status will be upheld.  A number of individuals who would have
been part of the class action have refiled their claims as separate lawsuits.
At October 31, 1994, Consumers had 88 separate stray voltage lawsuits pending.


         CMS Energy believes that no taxable gain will result in connection
with the sale of the Class G Common Stock.  However, the Internal Revenue
Service has previously announced that it was studying the federal tax
consequences of transactions similar to CMS Energy's stock proposal.  If the
sale of the Class G Common Stock were treated as property other than stock of
CMS Energy, CMS Energy may have a recognizable gain in an





                                      F-56
<PAGE>   197

amount equal to the difference between the fair value of Class G Common Stock
and its basis in such property.

         In addition to the matters disclosed in these notes, Consumers and
certain other subsidiaries of CMS Energy are parties to certain lawsuits and
administrative proceedings before various courts and governmental agencies,
arising from the ordinary course of business involving personal injury and
property damage, contractual matters, environmental issues, federal and state
taxes, rates, licensing and other matters.

         Estimated losses for certain contingencies discussed in this note have
been accrued.  The ultimate effect of the proceedings discussed in this note is
not expected to have a material impact on CMS Energy's financial position or
results of operations.

14.  JOINTLY OWNED UTILITY FACILITIES

         Consumers is responsible for providing its share of financing for
jointly owned facilities.  The following table indicates the extent of
Consumers' investment in jointly owned utility facilities:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                             ------------
                                                                                          1993           1992
                                                                                          ----           ----
                                                                                              IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                                        <C>            <C>
NET INVESTMENT
  Ludington--51%                                                                           $114           $112
  Campbell Unit 3--93.3%                                                                    349            360
  Transmission lines--various                                                                32             33
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
  Ludington                                                                                $ 74           $ 71
  Campbell Unit 3                                                                           210            199
  Transmission lines                                                                         11             10
</TABLE>

15.  SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

         For purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, all highly liquid
investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered
cash equivalents.  Other cash flow activities and non-cash investing and
financing activities for nine months ended September 30, 1994 and 1993 and the
years ended December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          NINE MONTHS
                                                             ENDED
                                                          (UNAUDITED)                    YEARS ENDED
                                                         SEPTEMBER 30,                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                         -------------                  ------------
                                                         1994       1993         1993       1992         1991
                                                         ----       ----         ----       ----         ----
                                                                             IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
CASH TRANSACTIONS
  Interest paid (net of amounts
    capitalized)                                         $126        $157        $193        $203         $325
  Income taxes paid (net of refunds)                       24          37          32          19           21
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS
  Nuclear fuel placed under capital
    lease                                                $ 18        $ 23        $ 28        $ 30         $  6
  Other assets placed under capital
    leases                                                 11          28          30          39           21
  Capital leases refinanced                                 -          42          42           -            -
  Assumption of debt                                        -           -           -          15            -
                                                         ====        ====        ====        ====         ====
</TABLE>

         Changes in other assets and liabilities as shown on the Statement of
Cash Flows at September 30, 1994 and 1993 and December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991
are described below:





                                      F-57
<PAGE>   198


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          NINE MONTHS
                                                             ENDED
                                                          (UNAUDITED)                    YEARS ENDED
                                                         SEPTEMBER 30,                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                         -------------                  ------------
                                                         1994       1993         1993       1992         1991
                                                         ----       ----         ----       ----         ----
                                                                             IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>
Sale (purchase) of receivables, net                      $(75)      $ (65)       $ 60       $  25         $ --
Accounts receivable                                        56          72          22           6          118
Accrued revenue                                            56          55         (48)         88            7
Accrued refunds                                             9         (58)        (49)       (143)         102
Inventories                                               (40)        (78)        (32)         23           (8)
Accounts payable                                          (19)        (43)        (31)         20          (70)
Tax Reform Act refund reserve                              --          --          --          --          (77)
Other current assets and
  liabilities, net                                        (41)        (70)         (4)         46          (20)
Non-current deferred amounts, net                          11         (30)         (6)        (36)         116
                                                         ----       -----        ----       -----         ----
                                                         $(43)      $(217)       $(88)      $  29         $168
                                                         ====       =====        ====       =====         ====
</TABLE>

16.  REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

         CMS Energy operates principally in the following five business
segments: electric utility, gas utility, oil and gas exploration and
production, independent power production, and gas transmission and marketing.

         The Consolidated Statements of Income show operating revenue and
pretax operating income by business segment.  Other segment information
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                      ------------
                                                                            1993          1992          1991
                                                                            ----          ----          ----
                                                                                      IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                        <C>           <C>            <C>
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
  Electric utility                                                         $  241        $  230         $  172
  Gas utility                                                                  73            76             70
  Oil and gas exploration and production                                       45            38             33
  Independent power production                                                  2             2              2
  Gas transmission and marketing                                                1             1             --
  Other                                                                         3             1              6
                                                                           ------        ------         ------
                                                                           $  365        $  348         $  283
                                                                           ======        ======         ======
Identifiable assets
  Electric utility(a)                                                      $4,361        $3,945         $3,659
  Gas utility                                                               1,628         1,566          1,332
  Oil and gas exploration and production                                      398           364            334
  Independent power production                                                488           333            321
  Gas transmission and marketing                                               75            60             45
  Other                                                                        14           580            503
                                                                           ------        ------         ------
                                                                           $6,964        $6,848         $6,194
                                                                           ======        ======         ======
Capital expenditures(b)(c)(d)
  Electric utility(e)                                                      $  403        $  390         $  229
  Gas utility                                                                 158           116             74
  Oil and gas exploration and production                                       81            68             71
  Independent power production                                                110            12             18
  Gas transmission and marketing                                               14             6             17
  Other                                                                        --             2              4
                                                                           ------        ------         ------
                                                                           $  766        $  594         $  413
                                                                           ======        ======         ======
</TABLE>

(a)      Includes abandoned Midland investment of $162 million, $175 million
         and $287 million for 1993, 1992 and 1991, respectively.
(b)      Includes capital leases for nuclear fuel and other assets (see 
         Note 15).





                                      F-58
<PAGE>   199
(c)      Includes equity investments in unconsolidated partnerships of $108
         million for 1993, $12 million for 1992 and $33 million for 1991.
(d)      Certain prior year amounts have been adjusted for comparative
         purposes.
(e)      Includes DSM costs of $52 million for 1993 and $26 million for 1992.

17.  SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF SIGNIFICANT RELATED ENERGY SUPPLIER

         Under the PPA with the MCV Partnership discussed in Note 4, Consumers'
1993 obligation to purchase electricity from the MCV Partnership was
approximately 14 percent of Consumers' owned and contracted capacity.
Summarized financial information of the MCV Partnership is shown below:

                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                      ------------
                                                                            1993          1992          1991
                                                                            ----          ----          ----
                                                                                      IN MILLIONS

<S>                                                                         <C>           <C>            <C>
Operating revenue(a)                                                        $ 548         $ 488          $ 425
Operating expenses                                                            362           315            278
                                                                            -----         -----          -----
Operating income                                                              186           173            147
Other expense, net                                                           (189)         (190)          (186)
                                                                            -----         -----          ----- 
Net loss                                                                    $  (3)        $ (17)         $ (39)
                                                                            =====         =====          ===== 
</TABLE>

                                 BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                             ------------
                                                                                          1993           1992
                                                                                          ----           ----
                                                                                              IN MILLIONS

<S>                                                                                      <C>            <C>
ASSETS
Current assets(a)                                                                        $  181         $  165
Property, plant and equipment, net                                                        2,073          2,124
Other assets                                                                                146            147
                                                                                         ------         ------
                                                                                         $2,400         $2,436
                                                                                         ======         ======
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities                                                                      $  198         $  189
Long-term debt and other non-current liabilities(b)                                       2,147          2,189
Partners' equity(c)                                                                          55             58
                                                                                         ------         ------
                                                                                         $2,400         $2,436
                                                                                         ======         ======
</TABLE>

(a)      Revenue from Consumers totaled $505 million, $444 million and $384
         million for 1993, 1992 and 1991, respectively.  As of December 31,
         1993, 1992 and 1991, $44 million, $38 million and $33 million,
         respectively, were receivable from Consumers.

(b)      FMLP is a beneficiary of an owner trust that is the lessor in a
         long-term direct finance lease with the lessee, MCV Partnership.  CMS
         Holdings holds a 46.4 percent ownership interest in FMLP (see Note 4).
         At December 31, 1993 and 1992, lease obligations of $1.7 billion were
         owed to the owner trust of which FMLP is the sole beneficiary.  CMS
         Holdings' share of the interest and principal portion for the 1993
         lease payments was $63 million and $16 million, respectively, and for
         the 1992 lease payments was $65 million and $12 million, respectively.
         The lease payments service $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion in
         non-recourse debt outstanding as of December 31, 1993 and 1992,
         respectively, of the owner-trust whose beneficiary is FMLP.  FMLP's
         debt is secured by the MCV Partnership's lease obligations, assets,
         and operating revenues.  For 1993 and 1992, the owner-trust whose
         beneficiary is FMLP made debt payments of $172 million and $166
         million, respectively, which included $10 million and $8 million
         principal and $25 million and $26 million interest, respectively, on
         the MCV Bonds held by MEC Development Corporation during part of 1991
         and by Consumers through December 1993.

(c)      CMS Midland's recorded investment in the MCV Partnership includes
         capitalized interest, which is being amortized to expense over the
         life of its investment in the MCV Partnership.


                                       F-59
<PAGE>   200


18.  EFFECTS OF THE RATEMAKING PROCESS

         Consumers is subject to the provisions of SFAS 71, Accounting for the
Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.  Regulatory assets represent probable
future revenue to Consumers associated with certain incurred costs as these
costs are recovered through the ratemaking process.  The following regulatory
assets (liabilities) which include both current and non-current amounts, are
reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              SEPTEMBER 30,      DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                   1994              1993            1992
                                                                   ----              ----            ----
                                                                                 IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>            <C>
Postretirement benefits                                              $  509           $  510         $  485
Income taxes                                                            180              189            136
Abandoned Midland project                                               151              162            175
Trunkline settlement                                                     93              117            146
Demand-side management--deferred costs                                   71               71             25
Environmental clean-up                                                   40                -              -
DOE--decommissioning uranium enrichment facility                         32               33             36
Power purchase termination                                               30                -              -
Other                                                                    32               39             28
                                                                     ------           ------         ------
Total regulatory assets                                              $1,138           $1,121         $1,031
                                                                     ======           ======         ======
                                                                                                
Income taxes                                                         $ (199)          $ (195)        $ (198)
Demand-side management--deferred revenue                                (19)             (17)           (16)
Other                                                                    (1)               -              -
                                                                     ------           ------         ------
Total regulatory liabilities                                         $ (219)          $ (212)        $ (214)
                                                                     ======           ======         ====== 
                                                                                                
</TABLE>

         Consumers has MPSC orders and/or precedents to recover virtually all
of its regulatory assets through future rates.

19.  SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENTS

         Palisades; Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel.  Reference is made to Note
3, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Matters"--Nuclear
Fuel, Decommissioning, Insurance and Other Nuclear Matters" for a description
of certain litigation which had been pending before the U.S. Sixth Circuit
Court of Appeals concerning the use of certain dry spent fuel storage casks.
In January 1995, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the claims of
the Attorney General and certain other parties and upheld the NRC's rulemaking
action.  The Court found that the NRC's environmental assessment satisfied NEPA
requirements, and that a site-specific environmental analysis concerning the
use and operation of the storage cask at Palisades was not required.

         MCV Fixed Energy Charge Arbitration.  Reference is made to Note 4,
"The Midland Cogeneration Venture" for a description of the background of the
MCV Fixed Energy Charge Arbitration.  In January 1995, the arbitrator ruled in
favor of Consumers' interpretation of the PPA and found that Consumers was
entitled to the immediate return of an estimated $22 million representing the
fixed energy amounts for which Consumers did not receive full cost recovery
during the years prior to the Settlement Order (1990-1992).  Consumers had
escrowed $16 million of this amount.  The arbitrator postponed the return of
payments for 1993 and 1994 because the Settlement Order is still subject to
pending appeals.  The amount under dispute in 1994 is approximately $9 million
and increases each year thereafter, averaging approximately $17 million per
year over the life of the contract.

         Gas Rate Case.  Reference is made to Note 5, "Rate Matters--Gas
Rates." Consumers filed a gas rate case in December 1994.  Consumers requested
an increase in its gas rates of $21 million annually.  The request, among other
things, incorporates cost increases, including costs for postretirement
benefits and costs related to Consumers' former manufactured gas plant sites.
Consumers requested that the MPSC authorize a





                                      F-60
<PAGE>   201

13 percent rate of return on equity, instead of the currently authorized rate
of 13.25 percent.  Consumers expects an MPSC decision in late 1995.

         Acquisition of HYDRA-CO.  In January 1995, CMS Generation completed
its acquisition of HYDRA-Co. CMS Generation purchased 100 percent of HYDRA-CO's
stock for $207 million, including approximately $50 million of current assets.
CMS Generation assumes ownership in seven major electric generating facilities
and a number of smaller plants totaling 835 MW of gross capacity and 285 MW of
net ownership.  CMS Generation will manage and operate eight plants previously
managed by HYDRA-Co. The plants are fueled by coal, natural gas, waste wood and
water (hydro).  CMS Generation will also assume construction management
responsibility for a 60 MW diesel-fueled plant on which construction began
recently in Jamaica.  The plant is scheduled to go into service in the third
quarter of 1996.





                                      F-61
<PAGE>   202





                PART II.  INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    Amount
                                                                                                    ------
        <S>                                                                                       <C>
        Filing fee - Securities and Exchange
          Commission  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $ 68,966
        Listing on New York Stock Exchange  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         30,000*
        Preparation of Stock Certificates   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          1,000*
        Printing and Engraving  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         10,000*
        Services of counsel   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        100,000*
        Services of independent public accountants,
          Arthur Anderson LLP   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         35,000*
        Rating Agency Fees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         30,000*
        Trustees Fees   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         10,000*
        Blue Sky fees and expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         10,000*
        Miscellaneous   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         20,000*
                                                                                                  --------
                                                                                      Total:      $314,966
                                                                                                  ========
</TABLE>

        * Estimated

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

The following resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of CMS Energy on
May 6, 1987:

         RESOLVED:  That effective March 1, 1987 the Corporation shall
indemnify to the full extent permitted by law every person (including the
estate, heirs and legal representatives of such person in the event of the
decease, incompetency, insolvency or bankruptcy of such person) who is or was a
director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of the Corporation, or
is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against all liability, costs, expenses,
including attorneys' fees, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in
settlement, incurred by or imposed upon the person in connection with or
resulting from any claim or any threatened, pending or completed action, suit
or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or of
whatever nature, arising from the person's service or capacity as, or by reason
of the fact that the person is or was, a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
Such right of indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights
to which the person may be entitled under statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of
shareholders or otherwise.

Article IX of the Articles of Incorporation reads:

         A director shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its
shareholders for monetary damages for breach of duty as a director except (i)
for a breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its
shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for a violation of
Section 551(l) of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, and (iv) any action
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.  No amendment to
or repeal of this Article IX, and no modification to its provisions by law,
shall apply to, or have any effect upon, the liability or alleged liability of
any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of
such director occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or modification.

                                     II-1
<PAGE>   203


Article X of the Articles of Incorporation reads:

         Each director and each officer of the Corporation shall be indemnified
by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with
the defense of any proceeding in which he or she was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party by reason of being or having been a director or
an officer of the Corporation.  Such right of indemnification is not exclusive
of any other rights to which such director or officer may be entitled under any
now or thereafter existing statute, any other provision of these Articles,
bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or otherwise.  If the Business
Corporation Act of the State of Michigan is amended after approval by the
shareholders of this Article X to authorize corporate action further
eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability
of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest
extent permitted by the Business Corporation Act of the State of Michigan, as
so amended.  Any repeal or modification of this Article X by the shareholders
of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a
director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or
modification.

Sections 561 through 571 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act provides as
follows:

         Sec. 561.  A corporation has the power to indemnify a person who was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending, or
completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative and whether formal or informal, other than an action by or in
the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a
director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, whether for profit or not, against
expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection
with the action, suit, or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in
a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation or its shareholders, and with respect to a
criminal action or proceeding, if the person had no reasonable cause to believe
his or her conduct was unlawful.  The termination of an action, suit, or
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendre or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the
person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or
its shareholders, and, with respect to a criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

         Sec. 562.  A corporation has the power to indemnify a person who was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending, or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a
director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, whether for profit or not, against
expenses, including attorneys' fees, and amounts paid in settlement actually
and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action or suit, if
the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its
shareholders.  Indemnification shall not be made for a claim, issue, or matter
in which the person has been found liable to the corporation except to the
extent authorized in section 564c.

         Sec. 563.  To the extent that a director, officer, employee, or agent
of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of
an action, suit, or proceeding referred to in section 561 or 562, or in defense
of a claim, issue, or matter in the action, suit, or proceeding, he or she
shall be indemnified against actual and reasonable expenses, including
attorneys' fees, incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit, or
proceeding and an action, suit, or proceeding brought to enforce the mandatory
indemnification provided in this subsection.

         Section 564a. (1)  An indemnification under section 561 or 562, unless
ordered by the court, shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in
the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director,





                                      II-2
<PAGE>   204

officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he or she
has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in sections 561 and 562
and upon an evaluation of the reasonableness of expenses and amounts paid in
settlement.  This determination and evaluation shall be made in any of the
following ways:

                 (a)      By a majority vote of a quorum of the board
         consisting of directors who are not parties or threatened to be made
         parties to the action, suit, or proceeding.

                 (b)      If a quorum cannot be obtained under subdivision (a),
         by majority vote of a committee duly designated by the board and
         consisting solely of 2 of more directors not at the time parties or
         threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding.

                 (c)      By independent legal counsel in a written opinion,
         which counsel shall be selected in 1 of the following ways:

                 (i)      By the board or its committee in the manner
                          prescribed in subdivision (a) or (b).

                 (ii)     If a quorum of the board cannot be obtained under
                          subdivision (a) and a committee cannot be designated
                          under subdivision (b), by the board.

                 (d)      By all independent directors who are not parties or
         threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding.

                 (e)      By the shareholders, but shares held by directors,
         officers, employees, or agents who are parties or threatened to be
         made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding may not be voted.

         (2)     In the designation of a committee under subsection (1)(b) or
in the selection of independent legal counsel under subsection (1)(c)(ii), all
directors may participate.

         (3)     If a person is entitled to indemnification under section 561
or 562 for a portion of expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, but not for the
total amount, the corporation may indemnify the person for the portion of the
expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, or amounts paid in settlement for which
the person is entitled to be indemnified.

         Sec. 564b.  (1) A corporation may pay or reimburse the reasonable
expenses incurred by a director, officer, employee, or agent who is a party or
threatened to be made a party to an action, suit, or proceeding in advance of
final disposition of the proceeding if all of the following apply:

                 (a)      The person furnishes the corporation a written
         affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the
         applicable standard of conduct set forth in sections 561 and 562.

                 (b)      The person furnishes the corporation a written
         undertaking, executed personally or on his or her behalf, to repay the
         advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet the
         standard of conduct.

                 (c)      A determination is made that the facts then known to
         those making the determination would not preclude indemnification
         under this act.

         (2)     The undertaking required by subsection (1)(b) must be an
unlimited general obligation of the  person but need not be secured.

         (3)     Determinations and evaluations under this section shall be
made in the manner specified in section 564a.





                                      II-3
<PAGE>   205


         Section 564c.  A director, officer, employee, or agent of the
corporation who is a party or threatened to be made a party to an action, suit,
or proceeding may apply for indemnification to the court conducting the
proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction.  On receipt of an
application, the court after giving any notice it considers necessary may order
indemnification if it determines that the person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether
or not he or she met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in sections
561 and 562 or was adjudged liable as described in section 562, but if he or
she was adjudged liable, his or her indemnification is limited to reasonable
expenses incurred.

         Sec. 565.  (1) The indemnification or advancement of expenses provided
under sections 561 to 564c is not exclusive of other rights to which a person
seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the
articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a contractual agreement.  The total
amount of expenses advanced or indemnified from all sources combined shall not
exceed the amount of actual expenses incurred by the person seeking
indemnification or advancement of expenses.

         (2)     The indemnification provided for in sections 561 to 565
continues as to a person who ceases to be a director, officer, employee, or
agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives,
and administrators of the person.

         Sec. 567.  A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee,
or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise
against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in
any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not
the corporation would have power to indemnify him or her against liability
under sections 561 to 565.

         Sec. 569.  For purposes of sections 561 to 567, "corporation" includes
all constituent corporations absorbed in a consolidation or merger and the
resulting or surviving corporation, so that a person who is or was a director,
officer, employee, or agent of the constituent corporation or is or was serving
at the request of the constituent corporation as a director, officer, partner,
trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise whether for profit or not
shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this section with
respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as the person would if he or
she had served the resulting or surviving corporation in the same capacity.

         Sec. 571.  For the purposes of sections 561 to 567:

                 (a)      "Fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a
         person with respect to an employee benefit plan.

                 (b)      "Other enterprises" shall include employee benefit
         plans.

                 (c)      "Serving at the request of the corporation" shall
         include any service as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the
         corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, the
         director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee
         benefit plan, its participants, or its beneficiaries.

                 (d)      A person who acted in good faith and in a manner he
         or she reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants
         and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be considered to
         have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the
         corporation or its shareholders" as referred to in sections 561 and
         562.

         Officers and directors are covered within specified monetary limits by
insurance against certain losses arising from claims made by reason of their
being directors or officers of CMS Energy or of CMS Energy's subsidiaries and
CMS Energy's officers and directors are indemnified against such losses by
reason of their being or having been directors of officers or another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at





                                      II-4
<PAGE>   206

CMS Energy's request.  In addition, CMS Energy has indemnified each of its
present directors by contracts that contain affirmative provisions essentially
similar to those in sections 561 through 571 of the Michigan Business
Corporation Act cited above.

         The Limited Partnership Agreement will provide that, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, CMS Energy Michigan shall indemnify the
General Partner, the Special Representative, any affiliate of the General
Partner or Special Representative, any officer, director, shareholder, partner,
member, employee, representative or agent of the General Partner, the Special
Representative, or any affiliate of the General Partner or Special
Representative, and any employee or agent of CMS Energy Michigan or its
affiliates for any loss, damage or claim incurred by such person by reason of
any act or omission performed or omitted by such person in good faith on behalf
of CMS Energy Michigan and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the
scope of authority conferred on such person by the Limited Partnership
Agreement, except that no such person shall be entitled to be indemnified in
respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such person by reason of
willful misconduct, gross negligence or fraud with respect to such acts or
omissions.  The Limited Partnership Agreement will also require that expenses
(including legal fees) be advanced to any such person to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law upon receipt by CMS Energy Michigan of an
undertaking from such person to repay such amount if it shall be determined
that the person is not entitled to be indemnified.  In addition, the Limited
Partnership Agreement will provide that the provisions of the Limited
Partnership Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties and
liabilities of any of the foregoing persons otherwise existing at law or in
equity, are agreed by the parties to the Limited Partnership Agreement to
replace such duties and liabilities.

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 EXHIBIT NO.               DESCRIPTION
                 -----------               -----------
                 <S>                       <C>
                 (1) (a) -                 Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to the Offered Securities (other than
                                           the Class G Common Stock).

                 (1) (b) -                 Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to the Class G Common Stock.

                 (4) (a) -                 Articles of Incorporation of CMS Energy, as amended.  (Designated in CMS Energy's
                                           Form 8-K dated June 8, 1989, File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)

                 (4) (b) -                 Form of Charter Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of CMS Energy.
                                           (Designated in CMS Energy's Proxy Statement filed under cover of Schedule 14A
                                           Information on February 13, 1995, as Annex III.)

                 (4) (c) -                 By-Laws of CMS Energy.  (Designated in CMS Energy's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                                           September 30, 1989, File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4)(b).)

                 (4) (d) -                 Indenture dated as of September 15, 1992 between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD
                                           Bank, National Association, as Trustee.  (Indenture under which the Senior Debt
                                           Securities will be issued.)  (Designated in CMS Energy's Form S-3 Registration
                                           Statement filed May 1, 1992, File No. 33-47629, as Exhibit (4)(a).)

                                           First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1992 between CMS Energy
                                           Corporation and NBD Bank, National Association, as Trustee.  (Designated in CMS
                                           Energy's Form 8-K dated October 1, 1992, File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)

                                           Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1992 between CMS Energy
                                           Corporation and NBD Bank, National Association, as Trustee.  (Designated in CMS
                                           Energy's Form 8-K dated October 1, 1992, File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit 4(a).)

                 (4) (e) -                 Indenture dated as of January 15, 1994 between CMS Energy and The Chase Manhattan
                                           Bank, N.A., as Trustee.  (Designated in CMS Energy's Form 8-K dated March 29, 1994,
                                           File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4)(a).)  First Supplemental Indenture dated as of

</TABLE>




                                      II-5
<PAGE>   207

<TABLE>
                 <S>                       <C>
                                           January 20, 1994 between CMS Energy and the Chase Manhattan Bank, National Association,
                                           as Trustee. (Designated in CMS Energy's Form 8-K dated March 29, 1994, File 
                                           No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4)(b).)

                 (4) (f) -                 Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 1994 among CMS Energy, Citibank, N.A. and Union 
                                           Bank as co-agents and certain banks named therein, and the Exhibits thereto.  
                                           (Designated in CMS Energy's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994, 
                                           File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)

                 (4) (g) -                 Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture between CMS Energy and The Chase
                                           Manhattan Bank, N.A., as Trustee.

                 (4) (h) -                 Certificate of Limited Partnership of CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership.

                 (4) (i) -                 Form of Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of CMS Energy Michigan
                                           Limited Partnership.

                 (4) (j) -                 Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to CMS Energy Michigan Limited CMS Energy
                                           Michigan Preferred Securities.

                 (5)                       Opinion of Denise M. Sturdy, Assistant General Counsel for CMS Energy.

                 (8)                       Opinion re Tax Matters of Sidley & Austin.

                 (12)                      Statement re computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges and ratios of
                                           earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends.

                 (23)(a) -                 Consent of Denise M. Sturdy, Assistant General for CMS Energy (included in Exhibit 5
                                           above).

                 (23)(b) -                 Consent of Sidley & Austin (included in Exhibit 8 above).

                 (23)(c)                   Consents of Arthur Andersen LLP.

                 (24)                      Powers of Attorney.

                 (25)(a) -                 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of NBD Bank, N.A. (Trutee under the
                                           Senior Debt Indenture).

                 (25)(b) -                 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
                                           (Trustee under the Subordinated Debt Indenture).
</TABLE>



         Exhibits listed above which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference with the same effect
as if filed with this Registration Statement.


ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

         The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:

         (1)     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) To include
any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the registration statement; (iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any





                                      II-6
<PAGE>   208

material change to such information in the registration statement; provided,
however, that (i) and (ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on
Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section
13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

         (2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

         (3)     To remove from registration by means of post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

         (4)     That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant
to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that
is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

         (5)     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15
above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event
that as claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer
or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

         (6)     That (1) for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus
filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule
424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part
of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and
(2) for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.





                                      II-7
<PAGE>   209

                                   SIGNATURES



         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Dearborn, and State of Michigan, on the 14th
day of February, 1995.



                                        CMS ENERGY CORPORATION



                                        By /s/ A M Wright 
                                           -------------------------------
                                               Alan M. Wright 
                                               Senior Vice President, 
                                               Chief Financial Officer and
                                               Treasurer



         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in their
respective capacities as officers and/or directors of CMS Energy Corporation
and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

          Name                                   Title                       Date
          ----                                   -----                       ----
<S>                                      <C>                               <C>
    (i) Principal executive officer
                                            Chairman of the Board,
                                            Chief Executive Officer
                                             and Director                    February 14, 1995 
   /s/ William T. McCormick, Jr.
  ----------------------------------    
       (William T. McCormick, Jr.)


    (ii) Principal financial
    officer:
                                          Senior Vice President,             February 14, 1995
                                          Chief Financial Officer   
     /s/ A M Wright                            and Treasurer
  ----------------------------------
      (Alan M. Wright)

    (iii) Controller or principal
    accounting officer:


  /s/ P.D. Hopper                         Vice President, Controller
  ----------------------------------      and Chief Accounting Officer       February 14, 1995 
     (Preston D.  Hopper)                                                    
       


</TABLE>




                                      II-8
<PAGE>   210

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name                                                 Title                              Date
<S>                                             <C>                                    <C>



                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (James J. Duerstadt)

                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Kathleen R. Flaherty)

                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Victor J. Fryling)

                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Earl D. Holton)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Lois A. Lund)


                                                     Director
- ------------------------------------
      (Frank H. Merlotti)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (W.U. Parfet)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Percy A. Pierre)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (S. Kinnie Smith, Jr.)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Robert D. Tuttle)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 

- ------------------------------------
      (Kenneth Whipple)



                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
     (John B. Yasinsky)



*By /s/ A M Wright             
- ------------------------------------
(Alan M. Wright)
Attorney-in-fact

</TABLE>





                                      II-9
<PAGE>   211


                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
co-registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Dearborn, and State of Michigan, on the 14th
day of February, 1995.


                                        CMS ENERGY MICHIGAN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                                        By CMS ENERGY CORPORATION, as General
                                                  Partner


                                        By /s/ A M Wright 
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Alan M. Wright
                                        Senior Vice president and Chief
                                                  Financial Officer



         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in their
respective capacities as officers and/or directors of CMS Energy Corporation,
as the corporate general partner of CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership,
and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Name                                   Title                             Date
<S>                                                   <C>                               <C>
                 (i) Principal executive
                 officer
                                                        Chairman of the Board,
                                                        Chief Executive Officer         February 14, 1995 
        /s/ William T. McCormick, Jr.                   and Director
        ---------------------------------
        (William T. McCormick, Jr.)


                 (ii) Principal financial
                 officer:
                                                        Senior Vice President,          February 14, 1995
        /s/ A M Wright                                  Chief Financial Officer
        ---------------------------------               and Treasurer
        (Alan M. Wright)                                

                 (iii) Controller or principal
                 accounting officer:


                                                        Vice President, Controller
        /s/ P.D. Hopper                                 and Chief Accounting            February 14, 1995
        ---------------------------------               Officer                
        (Preston D. Hopper)                             


</TABLE>




                                     II-10
<PAGE>   212

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Name                                  Title                             Date
                     ----                                  -----                             ----
<S>                                                 <C>                                 <C>


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (James J. Duerstadt)

                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------                                                                      
      (Kathleen R. Flaherty)

                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Victor J. Fryling)

                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Earl D. Holton)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Lois A. Lund)


                                                     Director
- ------------------------------------                        
      (Frank H. Merlotti)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (W.U. Parfet)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Percy A. Pierre)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (S. Kinnie Smith, Jr.)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Robert D. Tuttle)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (Kenneth Whipple)


                 *                                   Director                           February 14, 1995 
- ------------------------------------
      (John B. Yasinsky)

                  
*By /s/ A M Wright             
- ------------------------------------
(Alan M. Wright)
Attorney-in-fact


</TABLE>




                                     II-11
<PAGE>   213

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.              Description                                                        Page   
- -----------              -----------                                                       ----------
<S>                      <C>                                                                <C>
(1) (a) -                Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to the Offered
                         Securities (other than the Class G Common Stock).

(1) (b) -                Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to the Class G
                         Common Stock.

(4) (a) -                Articles of Incorporation of CMS Energy, as amended.
                         (Designated in CMS Energy's Form 8-K dated June 8, 1989, File
                         No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)

(4) (b) -                Form of Charter Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of
                         CMS Energy.  (Designated in CMS Energy's Proxy Statement filed
                         under cover of Schedule 14A Information on February 13, 1995,
                         as Annex III.)

(4) (c) -                By-Laws of CMS Energy.  (Designated in CMS Energy's Form 10-Q
                         for the quarter ended September 30, 1989, File No. 1-9513, as
                         Exhibit (4)(b).)

(4) (d) -                Indenture dated as of September 15, 1992 between CMS Energy
                         Corporation and NBD Bank, National Association, as Trustee.
                         (Indenture under which the Senior Debt Securities will be
                         issued.)  (Designated in CMS Energy's Form S-3 Registration
                         Statement filed May 1, 1992, File No. 33-47629, as Exhibit
                         (4)(a).)

                         First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1992
                         between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, National
                         Association, as Trustee.  (Designated in CMS Energy's Form 8-K
                         dated October 1, 1992, File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)

                         Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1992
                         between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, National
                         Association, as Trustee.  (Designated in CMS Energy's Form 8-K
                         dated October 1, 1992, File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit 4(a).)

(4) (e) -                Indenture dated as of January 15, 1994 between CMS Energy and
                         The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., as Trustee.  (Designated in
                         CMS Energy's Form 8-K dated March 29, 1994, File No. 1-9513,
                         as Exhibit (4)(a).)  First Supplemental Indenture dated as of
                         January 20, 1994 between CMS Energy and the Chase Manhattan
                         Bank, National Association, as Trustee.  (Designated in CMS
                         Energy's Form 8-K dated March 29, 1994, File No. 1-9513, as
                         Exhibit (4)(b).)

(4) (f) -                Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 1994 among CMS Energy,
                         Citibank, N.A. and Union Bank as co-agents and certain banks
                         named therein, and the Exhibits thereto.  (Designated in CMS
                         Energy's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994, File
                         No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)

(4) (g) -                Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture between CMS
                         Energy and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., as Trustee.
                                                                                                
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   214

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.                                Description                                      Page   
- -----------                                -----------                                      ----------
<S>                     <C>                                                                 <C>
(4) (h) -                Certificate of Limited Partnership of CMS Energy Michigan
                         Limited Partnership.

(4) (i) -                Form of Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of
                         CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership.

(4) (j) -                Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to CMS Energy
                         Michigan Limited CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities.

(5)                      Opinion of Denise M. Sturdy, Assistant General Counsel for CMS
                         Energy.

(8)                      Opinion re Tax Matters of Sidley & Austin.

(12)                     Statement re computation of ratios of earnings to fixed
                         charges and ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and
                         preferred stock dividends.

(23)(a) -                Consent of Denise M. Sturdy, Assistant General for CMS Energy
                         (included in Exhibit 5 above).

(23)(b) -                Consent of Sidley & Austin (included in Exhibit 8 above).

(23)(c)                  Consents of Arthur Andersen LLP.

(24)                     Powers of Attorney.

(25)(a) -                Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of NBD Bank, N.A.
                         (Trustee under the Senior Debt Indenture).

(25)(b) -                Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of The Chase
                         Manhattan Bank, N.A. (Trustee under the Subordinated Debt
                         Indenture).

</TABLE>


         Exhibits listed above which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference with the same effect
as if filed with this Registration Statement.

<PAGE>   1

                                                                  Exhibit (1)(a)

                               __________________

                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
                   [CMS ENERGY MICHIGAN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP]
                             _____________________


                             _____________________

                    General Terms of Underwriting Agreement


                              ______________, 199_

To the Representatives named in
Schedule I hereto of the Under-
writers named in Schedule II
hereto

Dear Sirs:

                 CMS Energy Corporation, a Michigan corporation [CMS Energy
Michigan Limited Partnership, a Michigan Limited Partnership] (the "Company"),
proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters (as defined in Section
14 hereof) ____________________ (the "Firm Securities") [with such terms] as
indicated in Schedule II.  [If there is to be an over-allotment option, the
Company also proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters not more
than ____________________________________________(the "Additional Securities")
if and to the extent that the Representatives (as defined in Section 14 hereof)
shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the Underwriters, the right to
purchase such securities granted to the Underwriters in Section 1 hereof.]  The
Firm Securities [and the Additional Securities] are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the Securities.  The Underwriters have designated the
Representatives to execute this Agreement on their behalf and to act for them
in the manner provided in this Agreement.

                 The Company has prepared and filed, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), in accordance with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a registration statement on
Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-____) including a prospectus relating to the
Securities and such registration statement has become effective under the Act.
The registration statement at the time it initially became effective and as it
may have been thereafter amended to the date of this Agreement (including the
documents then incorporated by reference therein) is hereinafter referred to as
the "Registration Statement." The prospectus relating to theSecurities and
forming a part of the Registration Statement at the time the Registration
Statement initially became effective (including the documents then incorporated
by reference therein) is hereinafter referred to as the "Basic Prospectus"
provided that in the event that the Basic Prospectus shall have been amended,
revised or supplemented
<PAGE>   2

                                     -2-

prior to the date of this Agreement, or if the Company shall have supplemented
the Basic Prospectus by filing any documents pursuant to Section 13 or 14 or 15
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), after
the time the Registration Statement initially became effective and prior to the
date of this Agreement, which documents are deemed to be incorporated in the
Basic Prospectus, the term "Basic Prospectus" shall also mean such prospectus
as so amended, revised or supplemented.  The Basic Prospectus, as it shall be
supplemented to reflect the terms of the offering and sale of the Securities by
a prospectus supplement relating to the Securities, to be filed with, or
transmitted for filing to, the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act,
is hereinafter referred to as the "Prospectus." Any reference herein to the
terms "amend," "amendment" or "supplement" with respect to the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include only amendments or
supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as the case may be,
and documents incorporated by reference therein after the date of this
Agreement and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities by the
Underwriters.

        1.  Purchase and Sale:  Upon the basis of the representations and
warranties and on the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, the
Company agrees to sell to the respective Underwriters, severally and not
jointly, and the respective Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree to
purchase from the Company, at the purchase price of _________ (the "Purchase
Price"), the respective amount of Firm Securities set opposite their names in
Schedule II hereto.

                 [In addition, on the basis of the representations and
warranties and on the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, the
Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters, and the Underwriters shall have a
one-time right to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to _________
Additional Securities at the Purchase Price.  Additional Securities may be
purchased as provided in Section 2 hereof solely for the purpose of covering
over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Securities.
If any Additional Securities are to be purchased, each Underwriter agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Additional Securities
(subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the
Representatives may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total
number of Additional Securities to be purchased as the number of Firm
Securities set forth in Schedule II opposite the name of such Underwriter bears
to the total number of Firm Securities.]                 

                 The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written 
consent of ____________, the Company will not offer, sell, contract to sell or
otherwise dispose of any Securities or any securities convertible into or       
exercisable or exchangeable for the Securities other than the Securities for a
period of ___ days after the date of this Agreement, provided, that the Company
may, during such ___ day period, issue Securities under its dividend
reinvestment, employee incentive and employee stock ownership plans.

                 The Company is advised by the Representatives that the
Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of
the Securities as soon as this Agreement has become effective.  The Company is
further advised by the Representatives that the Securities are to be offered to
the public initially at ________ (the public offering price) and to certain
<PAGE>   3

                                     -3-

dealers selected by you at a price that represents a concession not in excess
of _________ under the public offering price, and that any Underwriter may
allow, and such dealers may allow, a concession, not in excess of ____ per
________, to certain other dealers.

        2.  Payment and Delivery: Payment for the Firm Securities shall be made
to the Company or its order by __________, as requested by the Company, payable
in ___________________ funds, at the offices of_______________________________
__________________________________ (or such other place or places of payment as
shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Underwriters in writing), upon the
delivery of the Firm Securities at said offices (or such other place or places
of delivery as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representatives) to
the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters against
receipt therefor signed by the Representatives on behalf of themselves and as
agent for the other Underwriters.  Such payment and delivery shall be made at
10:00 A.M., New York time on ____________, 199_ (or on such later business day
as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representatives in writing),
unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof.  The
day and time at which payment and delivery for the Firm Securities are to be
made is herein called the "Time of Purchase".

                 [Payment for any Additional Shares shall also be made to the
Company or its order by ____________, as requested by the Company, payable in
New York Clearing House funds, at the offices of ____________________________
__________________________________________ (or such other place or places of
payment as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representatives in
writing) upon the delivery of the Additional Securities at said offices (or
such other place or places of delivery as shall be agreed upon by the Company
and the Representatives in writing) against receipt therefor as aforesaid at
10:00 A.M., New York time, on such date (which may be the same as the Time of
Purchase but shall in no event be earlier than the Time of Purchase nor later
than ten business days after the giving of the notice hereinafter referred to)
as shall be designated in a written notice to the Company from the
Representatives of their determination, on behalf of the Underwriters, to
purchase a number, specified in said notice, of Additional Shares, or on such
other date, in any event not later than _____________, 199_, as shall be
designated in writing by them.  The day and time at which payment and delivery
for the Additional Securities are to be made is hereinafter called the "Time of
Additional Purchase."  The notice of the determination to exercise the option
to purchase Additional Shares and of the Time of Additional Purchase may be
given at any time within 30 days after the date of this Agreement.]

                 Delivery of the Securities shall be made in definitive, fully
registered form in authorized denominations registered in such names as the
Representatives may request in writing to the Company not later than three full
business days prior to the Time of Purchase [or Time of Additional Purchase, as
the case may be], or if no such request is received, in the names of the
respective Underwriters for the respective number of shares of Firm Securities,
set forth opposite the name of each Underwriter in Schedule II, [and in the
case of Additional Securities, for the respective number of shares determined
in accordance with Section 1 hereof, in each case] in denominations selected by
the Company.
<PAGE>   4

                                     -4-

                 The Company agrees to make the Securities available for
inspection by the Underwriters at the offices of ______________________
________ at least 24 hours prior to the Time of Purchase, [or the Time of
Additional Purchase, as the case may be,] in definitive, fully registered form,
and as requested pursuant to the preceding paragraph.

        3.  Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations:  The several obligations
of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the warranties and
representations on the part of the Company and to the following other
conditions:

                 (a)  That all legal proceedings to be taken in connection with
        the issue and sale of the Securities shall be reasonably satisfactory
        in form and substance to Messrs. Reid & Priest, of New York, New York,
        counsel to the Underwriters.

                 (b)  That, at the Time of Purchase [and the Time of Additional
        Purchase,] the Representatives shall be furnished with the following
        opinions, dated the day of the Time of Purchase [or Time of Additional
        Purchase, as the case may be]:

                         (1)  Opinions of Denise M. Sturdy, Esq. and Messrs.
        Sidley & Austin, of Chicago, Illinois, counsel to the Company,
        substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit A of this Agreement;
        and

                         (2)  Opinion of Messrs. Reid & Priest, of New York,
        New York, counsel to the Underwriters, substantially to the effect set
        forth in Exhibit B to this Agreement.

                 (c)  That at the Time of Purchase [and Time of Additional
        Purchase] the Representatives shall have received a letter from Arthur
        Andersen LLP. in form and substance satisfactory to the
        Representatives, on and dated as of the day of the Time of Purchase [or
        the Time of Additional Purchase, as the case may be,] (i) confirming
        that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the
        Act and the applicable published rules and regulations of the
        Commission thereunder, (ii) stating that in their opinion the financial
        statements examined by them and included in the Registration Statement
        complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable
        accounting requirements of the Commission, including applicable
        published rules and regulations of the Commission, and (iii) covering,
        as of a date not more than five business days prior to the date of such
        letter, such other matters as the Representatives reasonably request.

                 (d)  That, between the date of the execution of this Agreement
        and the Time of Purchase [and the Time of Additional Purchase, as the
        case may be,] no material and adverse change shall have occurred in the
        business, properties or financial condition of the Company and its
        subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act, and hereafter
        called the "Subsidiaries"), taken as a whole, which, in the judgment of
        the Representatives, after reasonable inquiries on the part of the
        Representatives, impairs the marketability of the Securities (other
        than changes referred to in or contemplated by the Registration
        Statement).
<PAGE>   5

                                     -5-

                 (e)  That, prior to the Time of Purchase [and Time of
        Additional Purchase,] no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
        Registration Statement shall have been issued under the Act by the
        Commission or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened.

                 (f)  That, at the Time of Purchase [and Time of Additional
        Purchase,] the Company shall have delivered to the Representatives a
        certificate of an executive officer of the Company to the effect that,
        to the best of his knowledge, information and belief there shall have
        been no material adverse changes in the business, properties or
        financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
        whole, from that set forth in the Registration Statement or Prospectus
        (other than changes referred to in or contemplated by the Registration
        Statement or Prospectus).

                 (g)  That the Company shall have performed such of its
        obligations under this Agreement as are to be performed at or before
        the Time of Purchase [and Time of Additional Purchase] by the terms
        hereof.

                 (h)  That any additional documents or agreements reasonably
        requested by the Representatives or their counsel to permit the
        Underwriters to perform their obligations or permit their counsel to
        deliver opinions hereunder shall have been provided to them.

                 (i)  That between the date of the execution of this Agreement
        and the day of the Time of Purchase [or the Time of Additional
        Purchase, as the case may be,] there has been no downgrading of the
        investment ratings of any of the Company's securities or of Consumers
        Power Company's first mortgage bonds by Standard & Poor's Corporation,
        Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co., and
        neither the Company nor Consumers Power Company shall have been placed
        on "credit watch" or "credit review" with negative implications by any
        of such statistical rating organizations if any of such occurrences
        shall, in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives, after
        reasonable inquiries on the part of the Representatives, impair the
        marketability of the Securities.

                 (j)  That any filing of the Prospectus and any supplements
        thereto required pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act have been made in
        compliance with Rule 424 in the time periods provided by Rule 424, or
        at such later time as may be acceptable to the Representatives.

        4.  Conditions of the Company's Obligations:  The obligations of the
Company hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the condition set forth in
Section 3(e).

        5.  Certain Covenants of the Company:  In further consideration of the
agreements of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants as
follows:

                 (a)  To use its best efforts to cause any post-effective
        amendments to the Registration Statement to become effective as
        promptly as possible.  During the time
<PAGE>   6

                                     -6-

        when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act, the
        Company will comply so far as it is able with all requirements
        imposed upon it by the Act and the rules and regulations of the
        Commission to the extent necessary to permit the continuance of sales
        of or dealings in the Securities in accordance with the provisions
        hereof and of the Prospectus.

                 (b)  To deliver to each of the Representatives a signed copy
        of the Registration Statement (including all exhibits thereto) and full
        and complete sets of all comments of the Commission or its staff and
        all responses thereto with respect to the Registration Statement and to
        furnish to the Underwriters conformed copies of the Registration
        Statement without exhibits.

                 (c)  As soon as the Company is advised thereof, the Company
        will advise the Representatives and confirm the advice in writing of:
        (i) the effectiveness of any amendment to the Registration Statement,
        (ii) any request made by the Commission for amendments to the
        Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information with
        respect thereto, (iii) the suspension of qualification of the
        Securities for sale under Blue Sky or state securities laws, and (iv)
        the entry of a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
        Registration Statement or of the initiation or threat or any
        proceedings for that purpose and, if such a stop order should be
        entered by the Commission, to make every reasonable effort to obtain
        the lifting or removal thereof.

                 (d)  To deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, as soon
        as practicable, and from time to time during such period of time (not
        exceeding nine months) after the date of the Prospectus as they are
        required by law to deliver a prospectus, as many copies of the
        Prospectus (as supplemented or amended if the Company shall have made
        any supplements or amendments thereto) as the Representatives may
        reasonably request; and in case any Underwriter is required to deliver
        a prospectus after the expiration of nine months after the date of the
        Prospectus, to furnish to the Representatives, upon request, at the
        expense of such Underwriter, a reasonable quantity of a supplemental
        prospectus or of supplements to the Prospectus complying with Section
        10(a)(3) of the Act.

                 (e)  For such period of time (not exceeding nine months) after
        the date of the Prospectus as the Underwriters are required by law to
        deliver a prospectus in respect of the Securities, if any event shall
        have occurred as a result of which it is necessary to amend or
        supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in
        light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a
        purchaser, not misleading, or if it becomes necessary to amend or
        supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, to forthwith prepare and
        file with the Commission an appropriate amendment or supplement to the
        Prospectus and deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, such number
        of copies thereof as may be reasonably requested.

                 (f)  To make generally available to the Company's security
        holders, as soon as practicable, an "earning statement" (which need not
        be audited by independent public
<PAGE>   7

                                     -7-

        accountants) covering a twelve-month period commencing after the
        effective date  of the Registration Statement and ending not later than
        15 months thereafter, which shall comply in all material respects with
        and satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158
        under the Act.

                 (g)  To use its best efforts to qualify the Securities for
        offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
        jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and to pay (or cause
        to be paid), or reimburse (or cause to be reimbursed) the Underwriters
        and their counsel for, reasonable filing fees and expenses in
        connection therewith (including the reasonable fees and disbursements
        of counsel to the Underwriters and filing fees and expenses paid and
        incurred prior to the date hereof), provided, however, that the Company
        shall not be required to qualify to do business as a foreign
        corporation or as a securities dealer or to file a general consent to
        service of process or to file annual reports or to comply with any
        other requirements deemed by the Company to be unduly burdensome.

                 (h)  To pay all expenses, fees and taxes (other than transfer
        taxes on sales by the respective Underwriters) in connection with the
        issuance and delivery of the Securities, except that the Company shall
        be required to pay the fees and disbursements (other than disbursements
        referred to in paragraph (g) of this Section 5) of Reid & Priest, of
        New York, New York, counsel to the Underwriters, only in the events
        provided in paragraph (i) of this Section 5, the Underwriters hereby
        agreeing to pay such fees and disbursements in any other event, and
        that except as provided in Section (i), the Company shall not be
        responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses of the Underwriters in
        connection with their services hereunder.

                 (i)  If the Underwriters shall not take up and pay for the
        Firm Securities due to the failure of the Company to comply with any of
        the conditions specified in Section 3 hereof, or, if this Agreement
        shall be terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 11
        hereof prior to the Time of Purchase, to pay the fees and disbursements
        of Reid & Priest, counsel to the Underwriters, and, if the Underwriters
        shall not take up and pay for the Firm Securities due to the failure of
        the Company to comply with any of the conditions specified in Section 3
        hereof, to reimburse the Underwriters for their reasonable
        out-of-pocket expenses, in an aggregate amount not exceeding a total of
        ___, incurred in connection with the financing contemplated by this
        Agreement.

                 (j)  Prior to the termination of the offering of the
        Securities, to not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or
        supplement to the Prospectus (including the Basic Prospectus) unless
        the Company has furnished the Representatives and counsel to the
        Underwriters with a copy for their review and comment a reasonable time
        prior to filing and has reasonably considered any comments of the
        Representatives, or any such amendment or supplement to which such
        counsel shall reasonably object on legal grounds in writing, after
        consultation with the Representatives.
<PAGE>   8

                                     -8-

                 (k)  To furnish the Representatives with copies of all
        documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section
        13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the time the
        Registration Statement becomes effective and prior to the termination
        of the offering of the Securities.

        6.  Representations and Warranties of the Company:  The Company
represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters that:

                 (a)  The Registration Statement has become effective under the
        Act; any filing of the Prospectus and any supplements thereto required
        pursuant to Rule 424(b) have been or will be made in the manner
        required by Rule 424(b) and within the time period required by Section
        3(j) hereof; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
        Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for such
        purposes are pending before or, to the knowledge of the Company,
        threatened by the Commission.  On the effective date of the
        Registration Statement, the Registration Statement and the Basic
        Prospectus complied, or were deemed to have complied, on its issue
        date, the Basic Prospectus complied, and on its issue date, the
        Prospectus will comply, or will be deemed to comply, in all material
        respects with the applicable provisions of the Act and the published
        rules and regulations of the Commission, the Registration Statement on
        its effective date, and the Basic Prospectus on its issue date, did not
        contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
        material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
        statements therein not misleading, and the Prospectus, as of its issue
        date and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, as of the Time of
        Purchase [and Time of Additional Purchase,] will not contain any untrue
        statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
        to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
        which they were made, not misleading, except that the Company makes no
        warranty or representation to any Underwriter with respect to any
        statements or omissions made therein in reliance upon and in conformity
        with information furnished in writing to the Company by, or through the
        Representatives on behalf of, any Underwriter expressly for use therein
        [or to that part of the Registration Statement which consists of the
        Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust
        Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Trust Indenture Act")]. [The Indenture
        complies in all material respects with the requirements of the Trust
        Indenture Act.]

                 (b)  The documents incorporated by reference in the
        Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus and the Prospectus, when
        it was filed (or, if an amendment with respect to any such document was
        filed, when such amendment was filed) with the Commission, conformed in
        all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the
        rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, and any
        further documents so filed and incorporated by reference will, when
        they are filed with the Commission, conform in all material respects to
        the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of
        the Commission promulgated thereunder; none of such documents, when
        filed (or, if an amendment with respect to any such document was filed,
        when such amendment was filed), contained an untrue statement of a
        material fact or omitted to state
<PAGE>   9

                                     -9-


        a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
        statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
        made, not misleading; and no such further document, when it is filed,
        will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to
        state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
        make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
        they are made, not misleading.

                 (c)  The Company has been duly organized and is validly
        existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State
        of Michigan and has all requisite authority to own or lease its
        properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and
        to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and is duly
        qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each
        jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business as described in the
        Prospectus or its ownership or leasing of property requires such
        qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified
        or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the
        Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.  Each significant
        subsidiary (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act, and hereinafter
        called a "Significant Subsidiary") of the Company has been duly
        organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
        under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has all
        requisite authority to own or lease its properties and conduct its
        business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to
        transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
        the conduct of its business as described in the Prospectus or its
        ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to
        the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing
        would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
        Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                 [(_)  The Company has been duly organized and is validly
        existing as a limited partnership in good standing under the laws of
        the State of Michigan and has all requisite authority to own or lease
        its properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus
        and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and is duly
        qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each
        jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business as described in the
        Prospectus or its ownership or leasing of property requires such
        qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified
        or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the
        Company.]

                 [(d)  The shares of common stock of the Company outstanding
        prior to the issuance of the Securities have been duly authorized and
        are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.]

                 [(e)  The Securities have been duly authorized and, when
        issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
        will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance
        of such Securities will not be subject to any preemptive or similar
        rights.]
<PAGE>   10

                                     -10-

                 (f)  The capital stock of the Company conforms in all material
        respects to the description thereof in the Prospectus.

                 (g)  Each of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries has
        all necessary consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, certificates
        and permits of and from, and has made all declarations and filings
        with, all federal, state, local and other governmental authorities, all
        self-regulatory organizations and all courts and other tribunals, to
        own, lease, license and use its properties and assets and to conduct
        its business in the manner described in the Prospectus, except to the
        extent that the failure to obtain or file would not have a material
        adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                 (h)  No order, license, consent, authorization or approval of,
        or exemption by, or the giving of notice to, or the registration with
        any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department,
        commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, and no filing,
        recording, publication or registration in any public office or any
        other place, was or is now required to be obtained by the Company to
        authorize its execution or delivery of, or the performance of its
        obligations under, this Agreement[, the Indenture] or the Securities,
        except such as have been obtained or may be required under state
        securities or Blue Sky laws or as referred to in the Basic Prospectus.
        Each of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries has all necessary
        consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, certificates and permits
        of and from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all
        federal, state, local and other governmental authorities, all
        self-regulatory organizations and all courts and other tribunals, to
        own, lease, license and use its properties and assets and to conduct
        its business in the manner described in the Basic Prospectus, except to
        the extent that the failure to obtain or file would not have a material
        adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                 (i)  Neither the execution or delivery by the Company of, nor
        the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this
        Agreement[, the Indenture or the Securities] did or will conflict with,
        result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute
        a default or require the consent of any party under the Company's
        Articles of Incorporation [Agreement of Limited Partnership] or
        by-laws, any material agreement or instrument to which it is a party,
        any existing applicable law, rule or regulation or any judgment, order
        or decree of any government, governmental instrumentality or court,
        domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
        properties or assets, or did or will result in the creation or
        imposition of any lien on the Company's properties or assets.

                 (j)  Except as disclosed in the Basic Prospectus, there is no
        action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation (at law or in equity
        or otherwise) pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened
        against the Company or any Subsidiary by any governmental authority
        that (i) questions the validity, enforceability or performance of this
        Agreement[, the Indenture] or the Securities or (ii) if determined
        adversely, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the business
        or financial condition of the Company
<PAGE>   11

                                     -11-

        and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or materially adversely affect
        the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder or
        the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                 (k)  There has not been any material and adverse change in the
        business, properties or financial condition of the Company and its
        Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Registration
        Statement (other than changes referred to or contemplated by the
        Registration Statement or the Basic Prospectus).

                 (l)  Except as set forth in the Prospectus, no event or
        condition exists that constitutes, or with the giving of notice or
        lapse of time or both would constitute, a default or any breach or
        failure to perform by the Company or any of its Significant
        Subsidiaries in any material respect under any indenture, mortgage,
        loan agreement, lease or other material agreement or instrument to
        which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or
        by which it or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any of their
        respective properties, may be bound.

                 (m)  So long as may be required for the distribution of the
        Securities by the Underwriters or by any dealers that participate in
        the distribution thereof the Company will comply with all requirements
        under the Exchange Act relating to the timely filing with the
        Commission of its reports pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act
        and of its proxy statements pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act.

        7.  Representation and Warranties of Underwriters:

                 Each Underwriter warrants and represents that the information,
if any, furnished in writing to the Company through the Representatives
expressly for use in the Registration Statement and Prospectus is correct in
all material respects as to such Underwriter.  Each Underwriter, in addition to
other information furnished to the Company for use in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus, herewith furnishes to the Company for use in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, the information stated herein with
regard to the public offering, if any, by such Underwriter and represents and
warrants that such information is correct in all material respects as to such
Underwriter.

        8.  Indemnification:

                 (a)  The Company agrees, to the extent permitted by law, to
        indemnify and hold harmless each of the Underwriters and each person,
        if any, who controls any such Underwriter within the meaning of Section
        15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all
        losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they
        or any of them may become subject under the Act or otherwise, and to
        reimburse the Underwriters and such controlling person or persons, if
        any, for any legal or other expenses incurred by them in connection
        with defending any action, suit or proceeding (including governmental
        investigations) as provided in Section 8(b) hereof, insofar as
<PAGE>   12

                                     -12-


        such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions, suits or
        proceedings (including governmental investigations) arise out of or are
        based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
        material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Basic
        Prospectus (if used prior to the date of the Prospectus), the
        Prospectus, or, if the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented, in
        the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented (if such Prospectus or
        such Prospectus as amended or supplemented is used after the period of
        time referred to in Section 5(e) hereof, it shall contain or be used
        with such amendments or supplements as the Company deems necessary to
        comply with Section 10(a) of the Act), or arise out of or are based
        upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
        required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
        therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
        liabilities or actions arise out of or are based upon any such untrue
        statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
        which was made in such Basic Prospectus, Registration Statement or
        Prospectus, or in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, in
        reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing
        to the Company by, or through the Representatives on behalf of, any
        Underwriter expressly for use therein, [or with any statements in or
        omissions from the part of the Registration Statement that shall
        constitute the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the
        Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee] and except that this indemnity
        shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or any person
        controlling such Underwriter) on account of any losses, claims,
        damages, liabilities or actions, suits or proceedings arising from the
        sale of the Securities to any person if a copy of the Prospectus, as
        the same may then be supplemented or amended, was not sent or given by
        or on behalf of such Underwriter to such person (i) with or prior to
        the written confirmation of sale involved or (ii) as soon as available
        after such written confirmation, relating to an event occurring prior
        to the payment for and delivery to such person of the Securities
        involved in such sale, and the omission or alleged omission or untrue
        statement or alleged untrue statement was corrected in the Prospectus
        as supplemented or amended at such time.

                 The Company's indemnity agreement contained in this Section
        8(a), and the covenants, representations and warranties of the Company
        contained in this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect
        regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any person, and
        shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Securities hereunder,
        and the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 shall survive
        any termination of this Agreement.  The liabilities of the Company in
        this Section 8(a) are in addition to any other liabilities of the
        Company under this Agreement or otherwise.

                 (b)  Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to
        the extent permitted by law, to indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse
        the Company, its directors and such of its officers as shall have
        signed the Registration Statement, each other Underwriter and each
        person if any, who controls the Company or any such other Underwriter
        within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the
        Exchange Act, to the same extent and upon the same terms as the
        indemnity agreement of the Company set forth in Section 8(a) hereof,
        but only with respect to alleged untrue statements or omissions made in
        the
<PAGE>   13

                                     -13-


        Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus or in the Prospectus, as
        amended or supplemented, (if applicable) in reliance upon and in
        conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such
        Underwriter expressly for use therein.

                 The indemnity agreement on the part of each Underwriter
        contained in this Section 8(b) and the representations and warranties
        of such Underwriter contained in this Agreement shall remain in full
        force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf
        of the Company or any other person, and shall survive the delivery of
        and payment for the Securities hereunder, and the indemnity agreement
        contained in this Section 8(b) shall survive any termination of this
        Agreement.  The liabilities of each Underwriter in Section 8(b) are in
        addition to any other liabilities of such Underwriter under this
        Agreement or otherwise.

                 (c)  If a claim is made or an action, suit or proceeding
        (including governmental investigations) is commenced or threatened
        against any person as to which indemnity may be sought under Section
        8(a) or 8(b), such person (the "Indemnified Person") shall notify the
        person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "Indemnifying
        Person") promptly after any assertion of such claim threatening to
        institute an action, suit or proceeding or if such an action, suit or
        proceeding, is commenced against such Indemnified Person promptly after
        such Indemnified Person shall have been served with a summons or other
        first legal process, giving information as to the nature and basis of
        the claim.  Failure to so notify the Indemnifying Person shall not,
        however, relieve the Indemnifying Person from any liability which it
        may have on account of the indemnity under Section 8(a) or 8(b) if the
        Indemnifying Person has not been prejudiced in any material respect by
        such failure.  The Indemnifying Person shall assume the defense of any
        such litigation or proceeding, including the employment of counsel and
        the payment of all expenses.  Any Indemnified Person shall have the
        right to participate in such litigation or proceeding and to retain its
        own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
        expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person
        and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the retention
        of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding
        (including any impleaded parties) include (x) the Indemnifying Person
        and (y) the Indemnified Person and, in the written opinion of counsel
        to such Indemnified Person, representation of both parties by the same
        counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or likely conflicts of
        interest between them, in either of which cases the reasonable fees and
        expenses of counsel (including disbursements) for such Indemnified
        Person shall be reimbursed by the Indemnifying Person to the
        Indemnified Person.  If there is a conflict as described in clause (ii)
        above, and the Indemnified Persons have participated in the litigation
        or proceeding utilizing separate counsel whose fees and expenses have
        been reimbursed by the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Persons,
        or any of them, are found to be solely liable, such Indemnified Persons
        shall repay to the Indemnifying Person such fees and expenses of such
        separate counsel as the Indemnifying Person shall have reimbursed.  It
        is understood that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection
        with any litigation or proceeding or related litigation or proceedings
        in the same jurisdiction as to which the
<PAGE>   14

                                     -14-


Indemnified Persons are entitled to such separate representation, be liable
under this Agreement for the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of more
than one separate firm (together with not more than one appropriate local
counsel) for all such Indemnified Persons.  Subject to the next paragraph, all
such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed by payment to the Indemnified
Persons of such reasonable fees and expenses of counsel promptly after payment
thereof by the Indemnified Persons.  Such counsel shall be designated in
writing by the Representatives in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to
Section 8(b) and by the Company in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to
Section 8(a).

                 In furtherance of the requirement above that fees and expenses
        of any separate counsel for the Indemnified Persons shall be
        reasonable, the Representatives and the Company agree that the
        Indemnifying Person's obligations to pay such fees and expenses shall
        be conditioned upon the following:

                         (1)      in case separate counsel is proposed to be
                 retained by the Indemnified Persons pursuant to clause (ii) of
                 the preceding paragraph, the Indemnified Persons shall in good
                 faith fully consult with the Indemnifying Person in advance as
                 to the selection of such counsel; and

                         (2)      reimbursable fees and expenses of such
                 separate counsel shall be detailed and supported in a manner
                 reasonably acceptable to the Indemnifying Person (but nothing
                 herein shall be deemed to require the furnishing to the
                 Indemnifying Person of any information, including without
                 limitation, computer print-outs of lawyers' daily time
                 entries, to the extent that, in the judgment of such counsel,
                 furnishing such information might reasonably be expected to
                 result in a waiver of any attorney-client privilege); and

                         (3)      the Company and the Representatives shall
                 cooperate in monitoring and controlling the fees and expenses
                 of separate counsel for Indemnified Persons for which the
                 Indemnifying Person is liable hereunder, and the Indemnified
                 Person shall use every reasonable effort to cause such
                 separate counsel to minimize the duplication of activities as
                 between themselves and counsel to the Indemnifying Person.

                 The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement
        of any litigation or proceeding effected without the written consent of
        the Indemnifying Person, but if settled with such consent or if there
        be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees,
        subject to the provisions of this Section 8, to indemnify the
        Indemnified Person from and against any loss, damage, liability or
        expenses by reason of such settlement or judgment.  The Indemnifying
        Person shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified
        Persons, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened litigation,
        proceeding or claim in respect of which indemnity has been properly
        sought by the Indemnified Persons hereunder, unless such settlement
        includes
<PAGE>   15

                                     -15-


        an unconditional release by the claimant of all Indemnified Persons
        from all liability with respect to claims which are the subject matter
        of such litigation, proceeding or claim.

        9.  Contribution: If the indemnification provided for in Section 8
above is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified Person
under such Section in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions, suits or proceedings (including governmental investigations) in
respect thereof) referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under
Section 8 shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified
Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Person on the one hand and the
Indemnified Person on the other from the offering of the Securities.  If,
however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not
permitted by applicable law, then each Indemnifying Person shall contribute to
such amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative
fault of each Indemnifying Person, if any, on the one hand and the Indemnified
Person on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions, suits or
proceedings (including governmental investigations) in respect thereof), as
well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits
received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall
be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the
offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total
underwriting discounts and commission received by the Underwriters, in each
case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus, bear to the
aggregate public offering price of the Securities.  The relative fault shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one
hand or the Underwriters on the other and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.  The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would
not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section
9.  The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions, suits or proceedings
(including governmental proceedings) in respect thereof) referred to above in
this Section 9 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with investigating
or defending any such action, suits or proceedings (including governmental
proceedings) or claim, provided that the provisions of Section 8 have been
complied with (in all material respects) in respect of any separate counsel for
such Indemnified Person.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no
Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount greater than the excess
of (i) the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public over (ii) the amount of
any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason
of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be
<PAGE>   16

                                     -16-

entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.  The Underwriters' obligations in this Section 9 to
contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
obligations and not joint.

                 The agreement with respect to contribution contained in
Section 9 hereof shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any Underwriter, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Securities hereunder and any
termination of this Agreement.

        10.  Substitution of Underwriters:  If any Underwriter under this
agreement shall fail or refuse (otherwise than for some reason sufficient to
justify in accordance with the terms hereof, the termination of its obligations
hereunder) to purchase the Securities which it had agreed to purchase on the
Time of Purchase [or Time of Additional Purchase,] the Representatives shall
immediately notify the Company and the Representatives and the other
Underwriters may, within 36 hours of the giving of such notice, determine to
purchase, or to procure one or more other members of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") (or, if not members of the NASD, who are
foreign banks, dealers or institutions not registered under the Securities
Exchange Act and who agree in making sales to comply with the NASD's Rules of
Fair Practice), satisfactory to the Company, to purchase, upon the terms herein
set forth, the number of shares of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter
had agreed to purchase.  If any non-defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters
shall determine to exercise such right, the Representatives shall give written
notice to the Company of such determination within 36 hours after the Company
shall have received notice of any such default, and thereupon the Time of
Purchase [or Time of Additional Purchase, as the case may be,] shall be
postponed for such period, not exceeding three business days, as the Company
shall determine. If in the event of such a default, the Representatives shall
fail to give such notice, or shall within such 36-hour period give written
notice to the Company that no other Underwriter or Underwriters, or others,
will exercise such right, then this Agreement may be terminated by the Company,
upon like notice given to the Representatives within a further period of 36
hours.  If in such case the Company shall not elect to terminate this
Agreement, it shall have the right, irrespective of such default:

                 (a)  to require such non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase
        and pay for the respective amount of Securities which they had
        severally agreed to purchase hereunder, as hereinabove provided, and,
        in addition, the amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter
        shall have so failed to purchase up to an amount of Securities thereof
        equal to one-ninth (1/9) of the respective amount of Securities which
        such non-defaulting Underwriters have otherwise agreed to purchase
        hereunder; and/or

                 (b)  to procure one or more other members of the NASD (or, if
        not members of the NASD, who are foreign banks, dealers or institutions
        not registered under the Exchange Act and who agree in making sales to
        comply with the NASD's Rules of Fair Practice), to purchase, upon the
        terms herein set forth, the amount of Securities which such defaulting
        Underwriter had agreed to purchase, or that portion thereof which the
<PAGE>   17

                                     -17-

        remaining Underwriters shall not be obligated to purchase pursuant to
        the foregoing clause (a).

                 In the event the Company shall exercise its rights under
clause (a) and/or (b) above, the Company shall give written notice thereof to
the Representatives within such further period of 36 hours, and thereupon the
Time of Purchase [or the Time of Additional Purchase] shall be postponed for
such period, not exceeding five business days, as the Company shall determine.
In the event the Company shall be entitled to but shall not elect to exercise
its rights under clause (a) and/or (b), the Company shall be deemed to have
elected to terminate this Agreement.

                 Any action taken by the Company under this Section 10 shall
not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default
of such Underwriter under this Agreement.  Termination by the Company under
this Section 10 shall be without any liability on the part of the Company or
any non-defaulting Underwriter.

                 In the computation of any period of 36 hours referred to in
this Section 10, there shall be excluded a period of 24 hours in respect of
each Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday which would otherwise be included in
such period of time.

        11.  Termination of Agreement:  This Agreement may be terminated at any
time prior to the Time of Purchase, [and the option referred to in Section 1
hereof, if exercised, may be canceled at any time prior to the Time of
Additional Purchase,] by the Representatives, if prior to such time (i) trading
in securities on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been generally
suspended by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, (ii) trading of any
securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or
over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking
activities in New York shall have been declared by federal or New York State
authorities or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or material
escalation of hostilities or any other calamity or crisis, the effect of which
on the financial markets of the United States is such as to impair, in the
Representatives' reasonable judgment, after having made due inquiry, the
marketability of the Securities.

                 If the Representatives elect to terminate this Agreement, as
provided in this Section 11, the Representatives will promptly notify the
Company and each other Underwriter by telephone or telecopy, confirmed by
letter.  If this Agreement shall not be carried out by any Underwriter for any
reason permitted hereunder, or if the sale of the Securities to the
Underwriters as herein contemplated shall not be carried out because the
Company is not able to comply with the terms hereof, the Company shall not be
under any obligation under this Agreement and shall not be liable to any
Underwriter or to any member of any selling group for the loss of anticipated
profits from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Underwriters shall be under no liability to the Company nor be under any
liability under this Agreement to one another.
<PAGE>   18

                                     -18-

                 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Sections
5(g), 5(i), 8 and 9 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.


        12.  Notices:  All notices hereunder shall, unless otherwise expressly
provided, be in writing and be delivered at or mailed to the following
addresses or be sent by telecopy as follows:  if to the Underwriters or the
Representatives, to the Representatives at the address or number, as
appropriate, designated in Schedule I hereto, and, if to the Company, to CMS
Energy Corporation, Attention: Senior Vice President - Finance, Fairlane Plaza
South, Suite 1100, 330 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, Michigan 48126 (Telecopy -
313-436-9548).

        13.  Parties in Interest:  The Agreement herein set forth has been and
is made solely for the benefit of the Underwriters, the Company (including the
directors thereof and such of the officers thereof as shall have signed the
Registration Statement), and the controlling persons, if any, referred to in
Section 8 hereof, and their respective successors, assigns, executors and
administrators, and, except as expressly otherwise provided in Section 10
hereof, no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of
this Agreement.

        14.  Definition of Certain Terms:  The term "Underwriters", as used
herein, shall be deemed to mean the several persons, firms or corporations,
named in Schedule II hereto (including the Representatives herein mentioned, if
so named), and the term "Representatives", as used herein, shall be deemed to
mean the representative or representatives designated by, or in the manner
authorized by, the Underwriters in Schedule I hereto.  All obligations of the
Underwriters hereunder are several and not joint.  If there shall be only one
person, firm or corporation named in Schedule I and Schedule II hereto, the
term "Underwriters" and the term "Representatives", as used herein, shall mean
such person, firm or corporation.  If the firm or firms listed in Schedule I
hereto are the same as the firm or firms listed in Schedule II hereto, then the
terms "Underwriters" and "Representatives", as used herein, shall each be
deemed to refer to such firm or firms.  The term "successors" as used in this
Agreement shall not include any purchaser, as such purchaser, of any of the
Securities from any of the respective Underwriters.

        15.  Governing Law:  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construe
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

        16.  Counterparts:  This Agreement may be executed by any one or more
of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together
constitute one and the same instrument.
<PAGE>   19

                                     -19-


                 If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding,
please sign and return to us counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance
hereof by you, this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a
binding agreement between each of the Underwriters and the Company.

                                                 Very truly yours,


                                                    CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
                                                      [CMS ENERGY MICHIGAN
                                                        LIMITED PARTNERSHIP]


                                                By:_____________________________

Accepted, _______________, 199_


______________________________

As Representatives

By:  _____________________________



By:____________________________
<PAGE>   20

                                   SCHEDULE I

                                Representatives
<PAGE>   21



                                  Schedule II



<TABLE>
                                Underwriter                                   Number, Principal or Amount of
                                -----------                                          Firm Securities
                                                                                     to be Purchased
                                                                                     ---------------
               <S>                                                                  <C>
                                                                                                            
 


                Total  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                           
                                                                                       ------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   22

                                                                       Exhibit A

[Matters to be addressed by opinion of Sidley & Austin and Denise M. Sturdy,
Esq.]
<PAGE>   23

                                                                       Exhibit B

[Matters to be addressed by Denise M. Sturdy, Esq.]
<PAGE>   24


                                                                       Exhibit C

[Matters to be addressed by opinion of Reid & Priest which may rely upon
opinion of Denise M. Sturdy, Esq. and Sidley & Austin as to matters of Michigan
law and as to the exemption of the Company under the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935]



<PAGE>   1





                                                                  EXHIBIT (1)(b)

                                _,000,000 Shares

                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION

                      Class G Common Stock (no par value)

                        ________________________________


                             Underwriting Agreement


                                                            ______________, 1995

To the Representatives named in
Schedule I hereto of the Under-
writers named in Schedule II
hereto

Dear Sirs:

   CMS Energy Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Company"), proposes to
issue and sell to the several Underwriters (as defined in Section 14 hereof)
_,000,000 shares of its Class G Common Stock (no par value) (the "Firm
Securities") as indicated in Schedule II.  The Company also proposes to issue
and sell to the several Underwriters not more than _______ shares of its Class
G Common Stock (no par value) (the "Additional Securities") if and to the
extent that the Representatives (as defined in Section 14 hereof) shall have
determined to exercise, on behalf of the Underwriters, the right to purchase
such shares of common stock granted to the Underwriters in Section 1 hereof.
The Firm Securities and the Additional Securities are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the Securities.  The Underwriters have designated the
Representatives to execute this Agreement on their behalf and to act for them
in the manner provided in this Agreement.

   The Company has prepared and filed, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), in accordance with the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a registration statement on
Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-_____) including a prospectus relating to the
Securities and such registration statement has become effective under the Act.
The registration statement at the time it initially became effective and as it
may have been thereafter amended to the date of this Agreement (including the
documents then incorporated by reference therein) is hereinafter referred to as
the "Registration Statement." The prospectus forming a part of the Registration
Statement at the time the Registration Statement initially became effective
(including the documents then incorporated by reference therein) is hereinafter
referred to as the "Basic Prospectus" provided that in the event that the Basic
Prospectus shall have been amended, revised or supplemented prior to the date
of this





<PAGE>   2

                                     - 2 -

Agreement, or if the Company shall have supplemented the Basic Prospectus by
filing any documents pursuant to Section 13 or 14 or 15 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), after the time the
Registration Statement initially became effective and prior to the date of this
Agreement, which documents are deemed to be incorporated in the Basic
Prospectus, the term "Basic Prospectus" shall also mean such prospectus as so
amended, revised or supplemented.  The Basic Prospectus, as it shall be revised
or supplemented to reflect the final terms of the offering and sale of the
Securities and in the form to be filed with, or transmitted for filing to, the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as
the "Prospectus." Any reference herein to the terms "amend," amendment" or
"supplement" with respect to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall
be deemed to include only amendments or supplements to the Registration
Statement or Prospectus, as the case may be, and documents incorporated by
reference therein after the date of this Agreement and prior to the termination
of the offering of the Securities by the Underwriters.

  1.  Purchase and Sale:  Upon the basis of the representations and warranties
and on the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Company
agrees to sell to the respective Underwriters, severally and not jointly, and
the respective Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase from
the Company, at the purchase price of $______ a share (the "Purchase Price"),
the respective number of shares of Firm Securities set opposite their names in
Schedule II hereto.

   In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties and on the
terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to
sell to the Underwriters, and the Underwriters shall have a one-time right to
purchase, severally and not jointly, up to _______ Additional Securities at the
Purchase Price. Additional Securities may be purchased as provided in Section 2
hereof solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection
with the offering of the Firm Securities.  If any Additional Securities are to
be purchased, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase
the number of Additional Securities (subject to such adjustments to eliminate
fractional shares as the Representatives may determine) that bears the same
proportion to the total number of Additional Securities to be purchased as the
number of Firm Securities set forth in Schedule II opposite the name of such
Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Securities.

   The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of
_________________________________, the Company will not offer, sell, contract
to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of (a) Class G Common Stock of the
Company or any securities (other than Common Stock of the Company) convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class G Common Stock of the Company
other than the Securities for a period of 180 days after the date of this
Agreement or (b) Common Stock of the Company or any securities convertible into
or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock of the Company for a period of
90 days after the date of this Agreement; provided that the Company may, during
such period, issue





<PAGE>   3

                                     - 3 -

shares of Common Stock under its Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Cash
Payment Plan, Performance Incentive Stock Plan, Employee Stock Ownership Plan
and Employee Savings and Incentive Plan.

   The Company is advised by the Representatives that the Underwriters propose
to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Securities as
soon as this Agreement has become effective.  The Company is further advised by
the Representatives that the Securities are to be offered to the public
initially at $______ a share (the public offering price) and to certain dealers
selected by you at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $.__ a
share under the public offering price, and that any Underwriter may allow, and
such dealers may allow, a concession, not in excess of $.__ a share, to certain
other dealers.

  2.  Payment and Delivery: Payment for the Firm Securities shall be made to
the Company or its order by bank check or checks, as requested by the Company,
payable in New York Clearing House funds, at the offices of Reid & Priest, 40
West 57th Street, New York, New York, 10019 (or such other place or places of
payment as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Underwriters in
writing), upon the delivery of the Firm Securities at said offices (or such
other place or places of delivery as shall be agreed upon by the Company and
the Representatives in writing) to the Representatives for the respective
accounts of the Underwriters against receipt therefor signed by the
Representatives on behalf of themselves and as agent for the other
Underwriters.  Such payment and delivery shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York
time on _________, 1995 (or on such later business day as shall be agreed upon
by the Company and the Representatives in writing), unless postponed in
accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof.  The day and time at which
payment and delivery for the Firm Securities are to be made is herein called
the "First Time of Purchase".

   Payment for any Additional Shares shall also be made to the Company or its
order by bank check or checks, as requested by the Company, payable in New York
Clearing House funds, at the offices of Reid & Priest, 40 West 57th Street, New
York, New York 10019 (or such other place or places of payment as shall be
agreed upon by the Company and the Representatives in writing) upon the
delivery of the Additional Securities at said offices (or such other place or
places of delivery as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the
Representatives in writing) against receipt therefor as aforesaid at 10:00
A.M., New York time, on such date (which may be the same as the First Time of
Purchase but shall in no event be earlier than the First Time of Purchase nor
later than ten business days after the giving of the notice hereinafter
referred to) as shall be designated in a written notice to the Company from the
Representatives of their determination, on behalf of the Underwriters, to
purchase a number, specified in said notice, of Additional Shares, or on such
other date, in any event not later than ___________, 1995, as shall be
designated in writing by them.  The day and time at which payment and delivery
for the Additional Securities are to be made is hereinafter called the "Second
Time of Purchase."  The notice of the determination to exercise the option to
purchase





<PAGE>   4

                                     - 4 -

Additional Shares and of the Second Time of Purchase may be given at any time
within 30 days after the date of this Agreement.

   Delivery of the Securities shall be made in definitive, fully registered
form in authorized denominations registered in such names as the
Representatives may request in writing to the Company not later than three full
business days prior to the First Time of Purchase or Second Time of Purchase,
as the case may be, or if no such request is received, in the names of the
respective Underwriters for the respective number of shares of Firm Securities,
set forth opposite the name of each Underwriter in Schedule II, and in the case
of Additional Securities, for the respective number of shares determined in
accordance with Section 1 hereof, in each case in denominations selected by the
Company.

   The Company agrees to make the Securities available for inspection by the
Underwriters at the offices of _________________________________ at least 24
hours prior to the First Time of Purchase, or the Second Time of Purchase, as
the case may be, in definitive, fully registered form, and as requested
pursuant to the preceding paragraph.

  3.  Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations:  The several obligations of the
Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the warranties and
representations on the part of the Company and to the following other
conditions:

   (a)  That all legal proceedings to be taken in connection with the issue and
  sale of the Securities shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance
  to Messrs. Reid & Priest, of New York, New York, counsel to the Underwriters.

   (b)  That, at the First Time of Purchase and the Second Time of Purchase,
  the Representatives shall be furnished with the following opinions, dated the
  day of the First Time of Purchase or Second Time of Purchase, as the case may
  be:

     (1)  Opinions of Denise M. Sturdy, Esq., and Messrs. Sidley & Austin, of
  Chicago, Illinois, counsel to the Company, substantially to the effect set
  forth in Exhibits A and B to this Agreement; and

     (2)  Opinion of Messrs. Reid & Priest, of New York, New York, counsel to
  the Underwriters, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit C to this
  Agreement.

   (c)  That, on each of the date hereof, the date of the First Time of
  Purchase and the date of the Second Time of Purchase, the Representatives
  shall have received a letter from Arthur Andersen & Co. in form and substance
  satisfactory to the Representatives, on and dated as of such date, (i)
  confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of
  the Act and the applicable published rules and regulations of the Commission
  thereunder, (ii) stating that in their opinion the financial statements





<PAGE>   5

                                     - 5 -

  examined by them and included or incorporated by reference in the
  Registration Statement, including, without limitation, the pro forma
  consolidated condensed balance sheets and statements of income and the
  related notes thereto set forth or included in the Registration Statement and
  the Prospectus with respect to the Company and the Consumers Gas Group (as
  defined in the Prospectus), complied as to form in all material respects with
  the applicable accounting requirements of the Commission, including
  applicable published rules and regulations of the Commission, and (iii)
  covering, as of a date not more than five business days prior to the date of
  such letter, such other matters as the Representatives reasonably request.

   (d)  That, between the date of the execution of this Agreement and the First
  Time of Purchase and the Second Time of Purchase, as the case may be, no
  material and adverse change shall have occurred in the business, properties
  or financial condition of (i) the Company and its subsidiaries (as defined in
  Rule 405 under the Act, and hereafter called the "Subsidiaries"), taken as a
  whole, or (ii) the Consumers Gas Group (as defined in the Prospectus), which,
  in either case, in the judgment of the Representatives, after reasonable
  inquiries on the part of the Representatives, impairs the marketability of
  the Securities (other than changes referred to in or contemplated by the
  Registration Statement or Prospectus).

   (e)  That, prior to the First Time of Purchase and Second Time of Purchase,
  no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
  shall have been issued under the Act by the Commission or proceedings
  therefor initiated or threatened.

   (f)  That, at the First Time of Purchase and Second Time of Purchase, the
  Company shall have delivered to the Representatives a certificate of an
  executive officer of the Company to the effect that, to the best of his
  knowledge, information and belief there shall have been no material adverse
  change in the business, properties or financial condition of (i) the Company
  and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the Consumers Gas Group, from
  that set forth in the Registration Statement or Prospectus (other than
  changes referred to in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or
  Prospectus).

   (g)  That the Company shall have performed such of its obligations under
  this Agreement as are to be performed at or before the First Time of Purchase
  and Second Time of Purchase by the terms hereof.

   (h)  That any additional documents or agreements reasonably requested by the
  Representatives or their counsel to permit the Underwriters to perform their
  obligations or permit their counsel to deliver opinions hereunder shall have
  been provided to them.





<PAGE>   6

                                     - 6 -

   (i)  That between the date of the execution of this Agreement and the day of
  the First Time of Purchase or the Second Time of Purchase, as the case may
  be, there has been no downgrading of the investment ratings of any of the
  Company's securities or of Consumers Power Company's first mortgage bonds by
  Standard & Poor's Corporation, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Duff &
  Phelps Credit Rating Co., and neither the Company nor Consumers Power Company
  shall have been placed on "credit watch" or "credit review" with negative
  implications by any of such statistical rating organizations if any of such
  occurrences shall, in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives, after
  reasonable inquiries on the part of the Representatives, impair the
  marketability of the Securities.

   (j)  That any filing of the Prospectus and any supplements thereto required
  pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act have been made in compliance with Rule 424
  in the time periods provided by Rule 424, or at such later time as may be
  acceptable to the Representatives.

   (k) That the Securities, at the First Time of Closing in the case of the
  Firm Securities, and at the Second Time of Closing in the case of the
  Additional Securities, shall have been duly listed, subject to notice of
  issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange.

  4.  Conditions of the Company's Obligations:  The obligations of the Company
hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the condition set forth in Section
3(e).

  5.  Certain Covenants of the Company:  In further consideration of the
agreements of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants as
follows:

   (a)  To use its best efforts to cause any post-effective amendments to the
  Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as possible.  During
  the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act, the
  Company will comply so far as it is able with all requirements imposed upon
  it by the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission to the extent
  necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Securities
  in accordance with the provisions hereof and of the Prospectus.

   (b)  To deliver to each of the Representatives a conformed copy of the
  Registration Statement (including all exhibits thereto) and full and complete
  sets of all comments of the Commission or its staff and all responses thereto
  with respect to the Registration Statement and to furnish to the
  Representatives, for each of the Underwriters, conformed copies of the
  Registration Statement without exhibits.





<PAGE>   7

                                     - 7 -

   (c)  As soon as the Company is advised thereof, the Company will advise the
  Representatives and confirm the advice in writing of: (i) the effectiveness
  of any amendment to the Registration Statement, (ii) any request made by the
  Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for
  additional information with respect thereto, (iii) the suspension of
  qualification of the Securities for sale under Blue Sky or state securities
  laws, and (iv) the entry of a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
  Registration Statement or of the initiation or threat or any proceedings for
  that purpose and, if such a stop order should be entered by the Commission,
  to make every reasonable effort to obtain the lifting or removal thereof.

   (d)  To deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, as soon as practicable,
  and from time to time during such period of time (not exceeding nine months)
  after the date of the Prospectus as they are required by law to deliver a
  prospectus, as many copies of the Prospectus (as supplemented or amended if
  the Company shall have made any supplements or amendments thereto) as the
  Representatives may reasonably request; and in case any Underwriter is
  required to deliver a prospectus after the expiration of nine months after
  the date of the Prospectus, to furnish to the Representatives, upon request,
  at the expense of such Underwriter, a reasonable quantity of a supplemental
  prospectus or of supplements to the Prospectus complying with Section
  10(a)(3) of the Act.

   (e)  For such period of time (not exceeding nine months) after the date of
  the Prospectus as the Underwriters are required by law to deliver a
  prospectus in respect of the Securities, if any event shall have occurred as
  a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in
  order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances when the
  Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if it becomes
  necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, to
  forthwith prepare and file with the Commission an appropriate amendment or
  supplement to the Prospectus and deliver to the Underwriters, without charge,
  such number of copies thereof as may be reasonably requested.

   (f)  To make generally available to the Company's security holders, as soon
  as practicable, an "earning statement" (which need not be audited by
  independent public accountants) covering a twelve-month period commencing
  after the effective date of the Registration Statement and ending not later
  than 15 months thereafter, which shall comply in all material respects with
  and satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 under the
  Act.

   (g)  To use its best efforts to qualify the Securities for offer and sale
  under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the
  Representatives may designate and to pay (or cause to be paid), or reimburse
  (or cause to be reimbursed) the Underwriters and their counsel for,
  reasonable filing fees and expenses in connection therewith (including the
  reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters and





<PAGE>   8

                                     - 8 -

  filing fees and expenses paid and incurred prior to the date hereof),
  provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify to do
  business as a foreign corporation or as a securities dealer or to file a
  general consent to service of process or to file annual reports or to comply
  with any other requirements deemed by the Company to be unduly burdensome.

   (h)  To pay all expenses, fees and taxes (other than transfer taxes on sales
  by the respective Underwriters) in connection with the issuance and delivery
  of the Securities, except that the Company shall be required to pay the fees
  and disbursements (other than disbursements referred to in paragraph (g) of
  this Section 5) of Reid & Priest, of New York, New York, counsel to the
  Underwriters, only in the events provided in paragraph (i) of this Section 5,
  the Underwriters hereby agreeing to pay such fees and disbursements in any
  other event, and that except as provided in Section (i), the Company shall
  not be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses of the Underwriters in
  connection with their services hereunder.

   (i)  If the Underwriters shall not take up and pay for the Firm Securities
  due to the failure of the Company to comply with any of the conditions
  specified in Section 3 hereof, or, if this Agreement shall be terminated in
  accordance with the provisions of Section 11 hereof prior to the First Time
  of Purchase, to pay the fees and disbursements of Reid & Priest, counsel to
  the Underwriters, and, if the Underwriters shall not take up and pay for the
  Firm Securities due to the failure of the Company to comply with any of the
  conditions specified in Section 3 hereof, to reimburse the Underwriters for
  their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, in an aggregate amount not exceeding
  a total of $_____, incurred in connection with the financing contemplated by
  this Agreement.

   (j)  Prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, to not file
  any amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus
  (including the Basic Prospectus) unless the Company has furnished the
  Representatives and counsel to the Underwriters with a copy for their review
  and comment a reasonable time prior to filing and has reasonably considered
  any comments of the Representatives, or any such amendment or supplement to
  which such counsel shall reasonably object on legal grounds in writing, after
  consultation with the Representatives.

   (k)  To furnish the Representatives with copies of all documents required to
  be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act subsequent to the time the Registration Statement becomes
  effective and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities.

   (l)  So long as may be required for the distribution of the Securities by
  the Underwriters or by any dealers that participate in the distribution
  thereof the Company will comply with all requirements under the Exchange Act
  relating to the timely filing





<PAGE>   9

                                     - 9 -

        with the Commission of its reports pursuant to Section 13 of the
        Exchange Act and of its proxy statements pursuant to Section 14 of the
        Exchange Act.

          (m)   To use its best efforts to cause the Securities to be listed on
        the New York Stock Exchange, subject only to official notice of
        issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution on or prior to the
        First Time of Closing, in the case of the Firm Securities, and on or
        prior to the Second Time of Closing, in the case of the Additional
        Securities.

          (n)   To pay all expenses in connection with any review of the
        offering of the Securities by the National Association of Securities
        Dealers, Inc.

  6.  Representations and Warranties of the Company:  The Company represents
      and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters that:

          (a)  The Registration Statement has become effective under the Act; a
        true and correct copy of the Registration Statement in the form in
        which it became effective has been delivered to each of the
        Representatives and to the Representatives for each of the Underwriters
        (except that copies delivered for the Underwriters excluded exhibits to
        such Registration Statement); any filing of the Prospectus and
        any supplements thereto required pursuant to Rule 424(b) have been or
        will be made in the manner required by Rule 424(b) and within the time
        period required by Section 3(j) hereof; no stop order suspending the
        effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no
        proceedings for such purposes are pending before or, to the knowledge
        of the Company, threatened by the Commission.  On the effective date of
        the Registration Statement, the Registration Statement and the Basic
        Prospectus complied, or were deemed to have complied, and on its
        respective issue date, each preliminary prospectus filed pursuant to
        Rule 424(b) complied, and the Basic Prospectus complied, and on its
        issue date, the Prospectus will comply, or will be deemed to comply, in
        all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Act and the
        published rules and regulations of the Commission; none of the
        Registration Statement on its effective date, the Basic Prospectus on
        its issue date, or any other preliminary prospectus, on its issue date,
        contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
        material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
        statements therein not misleading, and the Prospectus, as of its issue
        date and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, as of the First
        Time of Purchase and Second Time of Purchase, will not contain any
        untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
        necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
        circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that
        the Company makes no warranty or representation to any Underwriter with
        respect to any statements or omissions made therein in reliance upon
        and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company
        by, or through the Representatives on behalf of, any Underwriter
        expressly for use therein.





<PAGE>   10

                                     - 10 -

   (b)  The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement,
  any preliminary prospectus, the Basic Prospectus and the Prospectus, when
  they were filed (or, if an amendment with respect to any such document was
  filed, when such amendment was filed) with the Commission, conformed in all
  material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and
  regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, and any further
  documents so filed and incorporated by reference will, when they are filed
  with the Commission, conform in all material respects to the requirements of
  the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
  thereunder; none of such documents, when it was filed (or, if an amendment
  with respect to any such document was filed, when such amendment was filed),
  contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
  material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
  statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
  not misleading; and no such further document, when it is filed, will contain
  an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state a material fact
  required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
  light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

   (c)  The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
  corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan and has
  all requisite authority to own or lease its properties and conduct its
  business as described in the Prospectus and to consummate the transactions
  contemplated hereby, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in
  good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business as
  described in the Prospectus or its ownership or leasing of property requires
  such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified
  or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the
  Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Each significant subsidiary
  (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act, and hereinafter called a "Significant
  Subsidiary") of the Company has been duly organized and is validly existing
  as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
  incorporation, has all requisite authority to own or lease its properties and
  conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to
  transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the
  conduct of its business as described in the Prospectus or its ownership or
  leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that
  the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a
  material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
  whole.

   (d) The pro forma consolidated condensed balance sheets and consolidated and
  condensed statements of income and the related notes thereto set forth or
  included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
  Prospectus with respect to the Company and the Consumers Gas Group have been
  prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X
  promulgated under the Exchange Act, have been compiled on the pro forma basis
  described therein and, in the opinion of the Company, the assumptions used in
  the preparations thereof were reasonable at the time





<PAGE>   11

                                     - 11 -

  made and the adjustments used therein are based upon good faith estimates and
  assumptions believed by the Company to be reasonable at the time made.

   (e)  The shares of common stock of the Company outstanding prior to the
  issuance of the Securities have been duly authorized and are validly issued,
  fully paid and non-assessable.

   (f)   The Company's Articles of Incorporation and all amendments thereto to
  date, including, without limitation, the amendments necessary to create the
  Class G Common Stock (no par value) of the Company as described in the
  Registration Statement, have been duly authorized and all necessary corporate
  and shareholder action and all necessary filings pursuant to the laws of the
  State of Michigan in connection therewith have been taken, obtained or made.

   (g)  The Securities have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered
  in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully
  paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such Securities will not be
  subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

   (h)  The capital stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to
  the description thereof in the Prospectus.

   (i)   (i) Except for __________, all of the outstanding capital stock of
  each of Consumers Power Company, CMS Enterprises Company, Nomeco Oil & Gas
  Co., and Michigan Gas Storage Company is owned directly or indirectly by the
  Company, free and clear of any security interest, claim, lien, or other
  encumbrance or preemptive rights, and (ii) there are no outstanding rights
  (including, without limitation, preemptive rights), warrants or options to
  acquire, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of
  capital stock or other equity interest in any of Consumers Power Company, CMS
  Enterprises Company, Nomeco Oil & Gas Co., and Michigan Gas Storage Company
  or any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding or arrangement of any
  kind relating to the issuance of any such capital stock, any such convertible
  or exchangeable securities or any such rights, warrants or options.

   (j)  Each of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries has all necessary
  consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, certificates and permits of and
  from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all federal, state,
  local and other governmental authorities, all self-regulatory organizations
  and all courts and other tribunals, to own, lease, license and use its
  properties and assets and to conduct its business in the manner described in
  the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain or file would
  not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken
  as a whole.





<PAGE>   12

                                     - 12 -

   (k)  No order, license, consent, authorization or approval of, or exemption
  by, or the giving of notice to, or the registration with any federal, state,
  municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency
  or instrumentality, and no filing, recording, publication or registration in
  any public office or any other place, was or is now required to be obtained
  by the Company to authorize its execution or delivery of, or the performance
  of its obligations under, this Agreement or the Securities, except such as
  have been obtained or may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws
  or as referred to in the Basic Prospectus.  Each of the Company and its
  Significant Subsidiaries has all necessary consents, authorizations,
  approvals, orders, certificates and permits of and from, and has made all
  declarations and filings with, all federal, state, local and other
  governmental authorities, all self-regulatory organizations and all courts
  and other tribunals, to own, lease, license and use its properties and assets
  and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Basic Prospectus,
  except to the extent that the failure to obtain or file would not have a
  material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
  whole.

   (l)  Neither the execution or delivery by the Company of, nor the
  performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement did or
  will conflict with, result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of,
  or constitute a default or require the consent of any party under the
  Company's Articles of Incorporation or by-laws, any material agreement or
  instrument to which it is a party, any existing applicable law, rule or
  regulation or any judgment, order or decree of any government, governmental
  instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the
  Company or any of its properties or assets, or did or will result in the
  creation or imposition of any lien on the Company's properties or assets.

   (m)  Except as disclosed in the Basic Prospectus, there is no action, suit,
  proceeding, inquiry or investigation (at law or in equity or otherwise)
  pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company
  or any Subsidiary by any governmental authority that (i) questions the
  validity, enforceability or performance of this Agreement or the Securities
  or (ii) if determined adversely, is likely to have a material adverse effect
  on the business or financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries,
  taken as a whole, or of the Consumers or materially adversely affect the
  ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder or the
  consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

   (n)  There has not been any material and adverse change in the business,
  properties or financial condition of (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries,
  taken as a whole, or (ii) the Consumers Gas Group, from that set forth in the
  Registration Statement (other than changes referred to or contemplated by the
  Registration Statement or the Basic Prospectus).





<PAGE>   13

                                     - 13 -

    (o)  Except as set forth in the Prospectus, no event or condition exists
  that constitutes, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would
  constitute, a default or any breach or failure to perform by the Company or
  any of its Significant Subsidiaries in any material respect under any
  indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, lease or other material agreement or
  instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a
  party or by which it or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any of their
  respective properties, may be bound.

  7.  Representation and Warranties of Underwriters:

     Each Underwriter warrants and represents that the information, if any,
furnished in writing to the Company through the Representatives expressly for
use in the Registration Statement and Prospectus is correct in all material
respects as to such Underwriter. Each Underwriter, in addition to other
information furnished to the Company for use in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus, herewith furnishes to the Company for use in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus, the information stated herein with regard to the
public offering, if any, by such Underwriter and represents and warrants that
such information is correct in all material respects as to such Underwriter.

  8.  Indemnification:

    (a)  The Company agrees, to the extent permitted by law, to indemnify and
  hold harmless each of the Underwriters and each person, if any, who controls
  any such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section
  20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages or
  liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become
  subject under the Act or otherwise, and to reimburse the Underwriters and
  such controlling person or persons, if any, for any legal or other expenses
  incurred by them in connection with defending any action, suit or proceeding
  (including governmental investigations) as provided in Section 8(b) hereof,
  insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions, suits or
  proceedings (including governmental investigations) arise out of or are based
  upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
  contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus (if used
  prior to the date of the Basic Prospectus), the Basic Prospectus (if used
  prior to the date of the Prospectus), the Prospectus, or, if the Prospectus
  shall be amended or supplemented, in the Prospectus as so amended or
  supplemented (if such Prospectus or such Prospectus as amended or
  supplemented is used after the period of time referred to in Section 5(e)
  hereof, it shall contain or be used with such amendments or supplements as
  the Company deems necessary to comply with Section 10(a) of the Act), or
  arise out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state
  therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
  the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims,
  damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are based upon any such
  untrue statement or alleged





<PAGE>   14

                                     - 14 -

  untrue statement or omission or alleged omission which was made in such
  preliminary prospectus, Basic Prospectus, Registration Statement or
  Prospectus, or in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, in reliance
  upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company
  by, or through the Representatives on behalf of, any Underwriter expressly
  for use therein, and except that this indemnity shall not inure to the
  benefit of any Underwriter (or any person controlling such Underwriter) on
  account of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions, suits or
  proceedings arising from the sale of the Securities to any person if a copy
  of the Prospectus, as the same may then be supplemented or amended
  (excluding, however, any document then incorporated or deemed incorporated
  therein by reference), was not sent or given by or on behalf of such
  Underwriter to such person (i) with or prior to the written confirmation of
  sale involved or (ii) as soon as available after such written confirmation,
  relating to an event occurring prior to the payment for and delivery to such
  person of the Securities involved in such sale, and the omission or alleged
  omission or untrue statement or alleged untrue statement was corrected in the
  Prospectus as supplemented or amended at such time.

    The Company's indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8(a), and the
  covenants, representations and warranties of the Company contained in this
  Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any
  investigation made by or on behalf of any person, and shall survive the
  delivery of and payment for the Securities hereunder, and the indemnity
  agreement contained in this Section 8 shall survive any termination of this
  Agreement.  The liabilities of the Company in this Section 8(a) are in
  addition to any other liabilities of the Company under this Agreement or
  otherwise.

    (b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to the extent
  permitted by law, to indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse the Company, its
  directors and such of its officers as shall have signed the Registration
  Statement, each other Underwriter and each person if any, who controls the
  Company or any such other Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the
  Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, to the same extent and upon the same
  terms as the indemnity agreement of the Company set forth in Section 8(a)
  hereof, but only with respect to alleged untrue statements or omissions made
  in the Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus or in the Prospectus, as
  amended or supplemented, (if applicable) in reliance upon and in conformity
  with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Underwriter
  expressly for use therein.

    The indemnity agreement on the part of each Underwriter contained in this
  Section 8(b) and the representations and warranties of such Underwriter
  contained in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless
  of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any other person,
  and shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Securities hereunder,
  and the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8(b) shall survive any
  termination of this Agreement.  The liabilities of each





<PAGE>   15

                                     - 15 -

    Underwriter in Section 8(b) are in addition to any other liabilities of such
  Underwriter under this Agreement or otherwise.

    (c)  If a claim is made or an action, suit or proceeding (including
  governmental investigations) is commenced or threatened against any person as
  to which indemnity may be sought under Section 8(a) or 8(b), such person (the
  "Indemnified Person") shall notify the person against whom such indemnity may
  be sought (the "Indemnifying Person") promptly after any assertion of such
  claim threatening to institute an action, suit or proceeding or if such an
  action, suit or proceeding, is commenced against such Indemnified Person
  promptly after such Indemnified Person shall have been served with a summons
  or other first legal process, giving information as to the nature and basis
  of the claim.  Failure to so notify the Indemnifying Person shall not,
  however, relieve the Indemnifying Person from any liability which it may have
  on account of the indemnity under Section 8(a) or 8(b) if the Indemnifying
  Person has not been prejudiced in any material respect by such failure.  The
  Indemnifying Person shall assume the defense of any such litigation or
  proceeding, including the employment of counsel and the payment of all
  expenses.  Such counsel shall be designated in writing by the Representatives
  in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b) and by the
  Company in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a).  Any
  Indemnified Person shall have the right to participate in such litigation or
  proceeding and to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such
  counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the
  Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to
  the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such
  proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include (x) the Indemnifying
  Person and (y) the Indemnified Person and, in the written opinion of counsel
  to such Indemnified Person, representation of both parties by the same
  counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or likely conflicts of interest
  between them, in either of which cases the reasonable fees and expenses of
  counsel (including disbursements) for such Indemnified Person shall be
  reimbursed by the Indemnifying Person to the Indemnified Person.  If there is
  a conflict as described in clause (ii) above, and the Indemnified Persons
  have participated in the litigation or proceeding utilizing separate counsel
  whose fees and expenses have been reimbursed by the Indemnifying Person and
  the Indemnified Persons, or any of them, are found to be solely liable, such
  Indemnified Persons shall repay to the Indemnifying Person such fees and
  expenses of such separate counsel as the Indemnifying Person shall have
  reimbursed.  It is understood that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in
  connection with any litigation or proceeding or related litigation or
  proceedings in the same jurisdiction as to which the Indemnified Persons are
  entitled to such separate representation, be liable under this Agreement for
  the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of more than one separate firm
  (together with not more than one appropriate local counsel) for all such
  Indemnified Persons. Subject to the next paragraph, all such fees and
  expenses shall be reimbursed by payment to the Indemnified Persons of such





<PAGE>   16

                                     - 16 -

     reasonable fees and expenses of counsel promptly after payment thereof
     by the Indemnified Persons.

           In furtherance of the requirement above that fees and expenses of any
separate counsel for the Indemnified Persons shall be reasonable, the
Representatives and the Company agree that the Indemnifying Person's
obligations to pay such fees and expenses shall be conditioned upon the
following:

         (1)   in case separate counsel is proposed to be retained by
     the Indemnified Persons pursuant to clause (ii) of the preceding
     paragraph, the Indemnified Persons shall in good faith fully consult
     with the Indemnifying Person in advance as to the selection of such
     counsel; and

         (2)   reimbursable fees and expenses of such separate counsel
     shall be detailed and supported in a manner reasonably acceptable to
     the Indemnifying Person (but nothing herein shall be deemed to require
     the furnishing to the Indemnifying Person of any information, including
     without limitation, computer print-outs of lawyers' daily time entries,
     to the extent that, in the judgment of such counsel, furnishing such
     information might reasonably be expected to result in a waiver of any
     attorney-client privilege); and

         (3)   the Company and the Representatives shall
     cooperate in monitoring and controlling the fees and expenses of
     separate counsel for Indemnified Persons for which the Indemnifying
     Person is liable hereunder, and the Indemnified Person shall use every
     reasonable effort to cause such separate counsel to minimize the
     duplication of activities as between themselves and counsel to the
     Indemnifying Person.

   The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any
litigation or proceeding effected without the written consent of the
Indemnifying Person, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final
judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees, subject to the
provisions of this Section 8, to indemnify the Indemnified Person from and
against any loss, damage, liability or expenses by reason of such settlement or
judgment.  The Indemnifying Person shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Indemnified Persons, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
litigation, proceeding or claim in respect of which indemnity has been properly
sought by the Indemnified Persons hereunder, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release by the claimant of all Indemnified Persons from all
liability with respect to claims which are the subject matter of such
litigation, proceeding or claim.

  9.  Contribution:  If the indemnification provided for in Section 8 above is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified Person under
such Section in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions, suits or proceedings (including governmental investigations) in
respect thereof) referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under





<PAGE>   17

                                     - 17 -

Section 8 shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified
Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Person on the one hand and the
Indemnified Person on the other from the offering of the Securities. If,
however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not
permitted by applicable law, then each Indemnifying Person shall contribute to
such amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative
fault of each Indemnifying Person, if any, on the one hand and the Indemnified
Person on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions, suits or
proceedings (including governmental investigations) in respect thereof), as
well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits
received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall
be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the
offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total
underwriting discounts and commission received by the Underwriters, in each
case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus, bear to the
aggregate public offering price of the Securities.  The relative fault shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one
hand or the Underwriters on the other and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.  The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would
not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section
9.  The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions, suits or proceedings
(including governmental proceedings) in respect thereof) referred to above in
this Section 9 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with investigating
or defending any such action, suits or proceedings (including governmental
proceedings) or claim, provided that the provisions of Section 8 have been
complied with (in all material respects) in respect of any separate counsel for
such Indemnified Person.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no
Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount greater than the excess
of (i) the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public over (ii) the amount of
any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason
of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations in
this Section 9 to contribute are several in proportion to their respective
underwriting obligations and not joint.





<PAGE>   18

                                     - 18 -

   The agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 9 hereof
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by
or on behalf of the Company or any Underwriter, and shall survive delivery of
and payment for the Securities hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.

  10.  Substitution of Underwriters:  If any Underwriter under this agreement
shall fail or refuse (otherwise than for some reason sufficient to justify in
accordance with the terms hereof, the termination of its obligations hereunder)
to purchase the Securities which it had agreed to purchase on the First Time of
Purchase or Second Time of Purchase, the Representatives shall immediately
notify the Company and the Representatives and the other Underwriters may,
within 36 hours of the giving of such notice, determine to purchase, or to
procure one or more other members of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") (or, if not members of the NASD, who are foreign banks,
dealers or institutions not registered under the Securities Exchange Act and
who agree in making sales to comply with the NASD's Rules of Fair Practice),
satisfactory to the Company, to purchase, upon the terms herein set forth, the
number of shares of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter had agreed to
purchase.  If any non-defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters shall determine to
exercise such right, the Representatives shall give written notice to the
Company of such determination within 36 hours after the Company shall have
received notice of any such default, and thereupon the First Time of Purchase
or Second Time of Purchase, as the case may be, shall be postponed for such
period, not exceeding three business days, as the Company shall determine.  If
in the event of such a default, the Representatives shall fail to give such
notice, or shall within such 36-hour period give written notice to the Company
that no other Underwriter or Underwriters, or others, will exercise such right,
then this Agreement may be terminated by the Company, upon like notice given to
the Representatives within a further period of 36 hours.  If in such case the
Company shall not elect to terminate this Agreement, it shall have the right,
irrespective of such default:

   (a)  to require such non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase and pay for the
  respective number of shares of which they had severally agreed to purchase
  hereunder, as hereinabove provided, and, in addition, the number of shares of
  Securities which the defaulting Underwriter shall have so failed to purchase
  up to a number of shares thereof equal to one-ninth (1/9) of the respective
  number of shares of Securities which such non-defaulting Underwriters have
  otherwise agreed to purchase hereunder; and/or

   (b)  to procure one or more other members of the NASD (or, if not members of
  the NASD, who are foreign banks, dealers or institutions not registered under
  the Exchange Act and who agree in making sales to comply with the NASD's
  Rules of Fair Practice), to purchase, upon the terms herein set forth, the
  number of shares of Securities which such defaulting Underwriter had agreed
  to purchase, or that portion thereof which the remaining Underwriters shall
  not be obligated to purchase pursuant to the foregoing clause (a).





<PAGE>   19

                                     - 19 -


   In the event the Company shall exercise its rights under clause (a) and/or
(b) above, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Representatives
within such further period of 36 hours, and thereupon the First Time of
Purchase or the Second Time of Purchase shall be postponed for such period, not
exceeding five business days, as the Company shall determine.  In the event the
Company shall be entitled to but shall not elect to exercise its rights under
clause (a) and/or (b), the Company shall be deemed to have elected to terminate
this Agreement.

   Any action taken by the Company under this Section 10 shall not relieve any
defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such
Underwriter under this Agreement.  Termination by the Company under this
Section 10 shall be without any liability on the part of the Company or any
non-defaulting Underwriter.

   In the computation of any period of 36 hours referred to in this Section 10,
there shall be excluded a period of 24 hours in respect of each Saturday,
Sunday or legal holiday which would otherwise be included in such period of
time.

  11.  Termination of Agreement:  This Agreement may be terminated at any time
prior to the First Time of Purchase, and the option referred to in Section 1
hereof, if exercised, may be canceled at any time prior to the Second Time of
Purchase, by the Representatives, if prior to such time (i) trading generally
in securities on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or
materially limited by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, (ii)
trading of any securities of the Company or Consumers Power Company shall have
been suspended on any exchange or over-the-counter market, (iii) a general
moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York shall have been
declared by federal or New York State authorities or (iv) there shall have
occurred any outbreak or material escalation of hostilities or any significant
change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis, the effect of which on
the financial markets of the United States is such as to impair, in the
Representatives' reasonable judgment, after having made due inquiry, the
marketability of the Securities.

   If the Representatives elect to terminate this Agreement, as provided in
this Section 11, the Representatives will promptly notify the Company and each
other Underwriter by telephone or telecopy, confirmed by letter.  If this
Agreement shall not be carried out by any Underwriter for any reason permitted
hereunder, or if the sale of the Securities to the Underwriters as herein
contemplated shall not be carried out because the Company is not able to comply
with the terms hereof, the Company shall not be under any obligation under this
Agreement and shall not be liable to any Underwriter or to any member of any
selling group for the loss of anticipated profits from the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Underwriters shall be under no liability
to the Company nor be under any liability under this Agreement to one another.





<PAGE>   20

                                     - 20 -

   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Sections 5(g), 5(i), 8 and
9 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

  12.  Notices:  All notices hereunder shall, unless otherwise expressly
provided, be in writing and be delivered at or mailed to the following
addresses or be sent by telecopy as follows: if to the Underwriters or the
Representatives, to the Representatives at the address or number, as
appropriate, designated in Schedule I hereto, and, if to the Company, to CMS
Energy Corporation, Attention: Senior Vice President - Finance, Fairlane Plaza
South, Suite 1100, 330 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, Michigan 48126 (Telecopy:
313-436-9548).

  13.  Parties in Interest:  The Agreement herein set forth has been and is
made solely for the benefit of the Underwriters, the Company (including the
directors thereof and such of the officers thereof as shall have signed the
Registration Statement), and the controlling persons, if any, referred to in
Section 8 hereof, and their respective successors, assigns, executors and
administrators, and, except as expressly otherwise provided in Section 10
hereof, no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of
this Agreement.

  14.  Definition of Certain Terms:  The term "Underwriters", as used herein,
shall be deemed to mean the several persons, firms or corporations, named in
Schedule II hereto (including the Representatives herein mentioned, if so
named), and the term "Representatives", as used herein, shall be deemed to mean
the representative or representatives designated by, or in the manner
authorized by, the Underwriters in Schedule I hereto.  All obligations of the
Underwriters hereunder are several and not joint. If there shall be only one
person, firm or corporation named in Schedule I and Schedule II hereto, the
term "Underwriters" and the term "Representatives", as used herein, shall mean
such person, firm or corporation.  If the firm or firms listed in Schedule I
hereto are the same as the firm or firms listed in Schedule II hereto, then the
terms "Underwriters" and "Representatives", as used herein, shall each be
deemed to refer to such firm or firms.  The term "successors" as used in this
Agreement shall not include any purchaser, as such purchaser, of any of the
Securities from any of the respective Underwriters.

  15.  Governing Law:  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

  16.  Counterparts:  This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the
parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to
be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute
one and the same instrument.





<PAGE>   21

                                     - 21 -

   If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, this
letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement between
each of the Underwriters and the Company.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           CMS ENERGY CORPORATION

                                           By:_________________________________

Accepted:  ____________, 1995





As Representatives

By: _________________________________



By:________________________________________





<PAGE>   22

                                   Schedule I





<PAGE>   23

                                  Schedule II


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     NUMBER OF FIRM SHARES
                             Underwriter                                                TO BE PURCHASED  
                             -----------                                                ---------------
                   <S>                                                                     <C>
                                  

                   Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       
                                                                                           ===========
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   24

                                                                       Exhibit A


                  [Form of opinion of Denise M. Sturdy, Esq.]





<PAGE>   25

                                                                       Exhibit B

                      [Form of Opinion of Sidley & Austin]





<PAGE>   26

                                                                       Exhibit C


                       [Form of Opinion of Reid & Priest]






<PAGE>   1
                                                                  Exhibit (4)(g)



      =================================================================




                         CMS Energy Corporation, Issuer


                                      and


            The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), Trustee


                                   INDENTURE



                        Dated as of _____________, 1995


                                 ______________


      =================================================================



<PAGE>   2

                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET

                                 _____________



   Provisions of Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture to be dated as of
____________, 1995 between CMS Energy Corporation and The Chase Manhattan Bank
(National Association):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section of the Act                    Section of Indenture
- ------------------                    --------------------
<S>                                  <C>
310(a)(1) and (2).............       6.9
310(a)(3) and (4).............       Inapplicable
310(b)........................       6.8 and 6.10(a), (b) and (d)
310(c)........................       Inapplicable
311(a)........................       6.13(a) and (c)(1) and (2)
311(b)........................       6.13(b)
311(c)........................       Inapplicable
312(a)........................       4.1 and 4.2(a)
312(b)........................       4.2(a) and (b)(i) and (ii)
312(c)........................       4.2(c)
313(a)........................       4.4(a)
313(b)(1).....................       Inapplicable
313(b)(2).....................       4.4(b)
313(c)........................       4.4(c)
313(d)........................       4.4(d)
314(a)........................       4.3
314(b)........................       Inapplicable
314(c)(1) and (2).............       14.5
314(c)(3).....................       Inapplicable
314(d)........................       Inapplicable
314(e)........................       14.5
314(f)........................       Inapplicable
315(a), (c) and (d)...........       6.1
315(b)........................       5.11
315(e)........................       5.12
316(a)(1).....................       5.9
316(a)(2).....................       Not required
316(a) (last sentence)........       7.4
316(b)........................       5.7
316(c)........................       Not required
317(a)........................       5.2
317(b)........................       3.4(a) and (b)
318(a)........................       14.7
</TABLE>

________________

* This Cross Reference Sheet is not part of the Indenture.





<PAGE>   3


                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                 _____________

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----
<S>                                                                     <C>
PARTIES................................................                   1

RECITALS

   Authorization of Indenture........................                     1
   Compliance with Legal Requirements................                     1
   Purpose of and Consideration for Indenture........                     1


                                  ARTICLE ONE

                                  DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1     Certain Terms Defined...................                  1
                Affiliate ..............................                  2
                Authenticating Agent....................                  2
                Authorized Newspaper....................                  2
                Board of Directors......................                  2
                Board Resolution........................                  2
                Business Day............................                  2
                Commission..............................                  2
                Common Stock............................                  3
                Conversion Agent........................                  3
                Convertible Securities..................                  3
                Corporate Trust Office..................                  3
                Coupon..................................                  3
                Covenant Defeasance.....................                  3
                Depository..............................                  3
                Event of Default........................                  3
                Government Obligations .................                  3
                Holder, Holder of Securities,
                  Securityholder........................                  4
                Indenture...............................                  4
                Interest................................                  4
                Interest Payment Date...................                  4
                Issuer..................................                  4
                Issuer Order............................                  4
                Maturity ...............................                  5
                Officers' Certificate...................                  5
                Opinion of Counsel......................                  5
                Original Issue Date.....................                  5
                Original issue discount.................                  5
                Original Issue Discount Security........                  5
                Outstanding.............................                  5
                Periodic Offering.......................                  6
                Person..................................                  7
                Principal...............................                  7
</TABLE>





                                      -i-
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----
<S>            <C>                                                      <C>
                Record Date.............................                  7
                Registered Global Security..............                  7
                Registered Security.....................                  7
                Responsible Officer.....................                  7
                Security or Securities..................                  7
                Security Register and Security Registrar                  8
                Subsidiary .............................                  8
                Stated Maturity ........................                  8
                Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or Trust
                  Indenture Act.........................                  8
                Trustee.................................                  8
                Unregistered Security...................                  8
                Yield to Maturity.......................                  8
Section 1.2     Other Definitions ......................                  8

                                  ARTICLE TWO

                                  SECURITIES

Section 2.1     Forms Generally.........................                  9
Section 2.2     Form of Trustee's Certificate
                    of Authentication.....................                9
Section 2.3     Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series....                 10
Section 2.4     Authentication and Delivery of
                    Securities............................               14
Section 2.5     Execution of Securities.................                 17
Section 2.6     Certificate of Authentication...........                 18
Section 2.7     Denomination of Securities; Payments
                    of Interest...........................               18
Section 2.8     Registration, Transfer and Exchange.....                 19
Section 2.9     Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost
                    and Stolen Securities.................               23
Section 2.10    Cancellation of Securities;
                    Destruction Thereof...................               24
Section 2.11    Temporary Securities....................                 25
Section 2.12    Computation of Interest ................                 25

                                 ARTICLE THREE

                            COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

Section 3.1     Payment of Principal and Interest.......                 26
Section 3.2     Offices for Payments, etc...............                 26
Section 3.3     Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in
                    Office of Trustee.....................               28
Section 3.4     Paying Agents...........................                 28
</TABLE>





                                      -ii-
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Page
                                                                        ----
<S>             <C>                                                    <C> 
                                 ARTICLE FOUR

                   SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE
                            ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE

Section 4.1     Issuer to Furnish Trustee
                    Names and Addresses of
                    Securityholders.......................               29
Section 4.2     Preservation and Disclosure of
                    Securityholders Lists.................               30
Section 4.3     Reports by the Issuer...................                 31
Section 4.4     Reports by the Trustee..................                 32


                                 ARTICLE FIVE

                  REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
                              ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 5.1     Event of Default Defined; Acceleration
                    of Maturity; Waiver of Default........               34
Section 5.2     Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee;
                    Trustee May Prove Debt................               38
Section 5.3     Application of Proceeds.................                 41
Section 5.4     Suits for Enforcement...................                 42
Section 5.5     Restoration of Rights on Abandonment
                    of Proceedings........................               42
Section 5.6     Limitations on Suits by
                    Securityholders.......................               42
Section 5.7     Unconditional Right of
                    Securityholders to Receive Principal
                    and Interest and to Institute
                    Certain Suits.........................               43
Section 5.8     Powers and Remedies Cumulative;
                    Delay or Omission Not Waiver of
                    Default...............................               43
Section 5.9     Control by Holders of Securities........                 44
Section 5.10    Waiver of Past Defaults.................                 44
Section 5.11    Trustee to Give Notice of Default,
                    But May Withhold in Certain
                    Circumstances.........................               45
Section 5.12    Right of Court to Require Filing
                    of Undertaking to Pay Costs...........               45
Section 5.13    Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws .......                 46

                                  ARTICLE SIX

                            CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1     Duties and Responsibilities of the
                    Trustee; During Default; Prior to
                    Default...............................               46
</TABLE>





                                     -iii-
<PAGE>   6

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Page
                                                                        ----
<S>             <C>                                                    <C>
Section 6.2     Certain Rights of the Trustee...........                 48
Section 6.3     Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals,
                    Disposition of Securities or
                    Application of Proceeds Thereof.......               49
Section 6.4     Trustee and Agents May Hold
                    Securities or Coupons;
                    Collections, etc......................               49
Section 6.5     Moneys Held by Trustee..................                 50
Section 6.6     Compensation and Indemnification
                    of Trustee and Its Prior Claim........               50
Section 6.7     Right of Trustee to Rely on
                    Officers' Certificate, etc............               50
Section 6.8     Qualification of Trustee;
                    Conflicting Interests.................               51
Section 6.9     Persons Eligible for Appointment
                    as Trustee............................               58
Section 6.10    Resignation and Removal; Appointment
                    of Successor Trustee..................               58
Section 6.11    Acceptance of Appointment by
                    Successor Trustee.....................               60
Section 6.12    Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or
                    Succession to Business of Trustee.....               61
Section 6.13    Preferential Collection of Claims
                    Against the Issuer....................               62
Section 6.14    Appointment of Authenticating Agent.....                 66

                                 ARTICLE SEVEN

                        CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

Section 7.1     Evidence of Action Taken by
                    Securityholders........................              67
Section 7.2     Proof of Execution of Instruments and
                    of Holding of Securities...............              68
Section 7.3     Holders to be Treated as Owners..........                69
Section 7.4     Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not
                    Outstanding............................              70
Section 7.5     Right of Revocation of Action Taken......                70

                                 ARTICLE EIGHT

                            SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 8.1     Supplemental Indentures Without
                    Consent of Securityholders.............              71
Section 8.2     Supplemental Indentures With Consent
                    of Securityholders.....................              73
Section 8.3     Effect of Supplemental Indenture.........                74
Section 8.4     Documents to Be Given to Trustee.........                75
</TABLE>





                                      -iv-
<PAGE>   7

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Page
                                                                        ----
<S>             <C>                                                    <C>
Section 8.5     Notation on Securities in Respect of
                    Supplemental Indentures................              75

                                 ARTICLE NINE

                   CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

Section 9.1     Covenant of Issuer Not to Merge,
                    Consolidate, Sell or Convey
                    Property Except Under Certain
                    Conditions.............................              75
Section 9.2     Successor Corporation Substituted
                    for Issuer.............................              76
Section 9.3     Opinion of Counsel Delivered
                    to Trustee.............................              77

                                  ARTICLE TEN

                   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE;
                               UNCLAIMED MONEYS

Section 10.1    Satisfaction and Discharge of
                    Indenture..............................              77
Section 10.2    Application by Trustee of Funds
                    Deposited for Payment of
                    Securities.............................              82
Section 10.3    Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying
                    Agent..................................              82
Section 10.4    Return of Moneys Held by Trustee
                    and Paying Agent Unclaimed for
                    Three Years..............................            82
Section 10.5    Indemnity for Government
                    Obligations............................              83

                                ARTICLE ELEVEN

                  REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS

Section 11.1    Applicability of Article.................                84
Section 11.2    Notice of Redemption; Partial
                    Redemptions............................              84
Section 11.3    Payment of Securities Called for
                    Redemption.............................              86
Section 11.4    Exclusion of Certain Securities from                        
                    Eligibility for Selection for
                    Redemption.............................              87
Section 11.5    Mandatory and Optional Sinking
                    Funds..................................              87
Section 11.6    Conversion Arrangement on Call for
                    Redemption.............................              90
</TABLE>





                                      -v-
<PAGE>   8

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Page
                                                                        ----
<S>             <C>                                                    <C>
                                ARTICLE TWELVE

                                 SUBORDINATION

Section 12.1    Applicability of Article; Securities
                    Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness......            91
Section 12.2    Issuer Not to Make payments with Respect
                    to Subordinated Securities in Certain
                    Circumstances............................            92
Section 12.3    Subordinated Securities Subordinated to
                    Prior Payment of All Senior Indebtedness on
                    Dissolution, Liquidation or
                    Reorganization of Issuer.................            93
Section 12.4    Holders of Subordinated Securities to be
                    Subrogated to Right of Holders of
                    Senior Indebtedness......................            94
Section 12.5    Obligation of the Issuer
                    Unconditional............................            95
Section 12.6    Trustee Entitled to Assume Payments Not
                    Prohibited in Absence of Notice..........            95
Section 12.7    Application by Trustee of Monies or
                    Government Obligations Deposited
                    With It..................................            96
Section 12.8    Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts
                    or Omissions of Issuer or Holders of
                    Senior Indebtedness......................            97
Section 12.9    Securityholders Authorize Trustee to
                    Effectuate Subordination of
                    Securities...............................            97
Section 12.10   Right of Trustee to Hold Senior
                    Indebtedness.............................            97
Section 12.11   Article Twelve Not to Prevent Events of
                    Defaults.................................            98

                               ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                                  CONVERSION

Section 13.1    Applicability of Article...................              98
Section 13.2    Conversion Privilege ......................              98
Section 13.3    Conversion Procedure ......................              99
Section 13.4    Fractional Shares..........................             100
Section 13.5    Taxes on Conversion........................             100
Section 13.6    Issuer to Provide Stock....................             100
Section 13.7    Adjustment for Change in
                    Capital Stock............................           101
Section 13.8    Adjustment for Rights Issue................             102
Section 13.9    Adjustments for Other Distributions........             103
Section 13.10   Voluntary Adjustment.......................             104
Section 13.11   Certain Definitions........................             104
Section 13.12   When Adjustment May Be Deferred............             106
Section 13.13   When Adjustment Is Not Required............             106
</TABLE>





                                      -vi-
<PAGE>   9

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Page
                                                                        ----
<S>             <C>                                                    <C>
Section 13.14   Notice of Adjustment.......................             107
Section 13.15   Notice of Certain Transactions.............             107
Section 13.16   Consolidation, Merger or Sale of the
                    Issuer...................................           108
Section 13.17   Issuer Determination Final.................             108
Section 13.18   Trustee's Disclaimer.......................             108
Section 13.19   Simultaneous Adjustments...................             109
                                       
                               ARTICLE FOURTEEN

                           MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 14.1    Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers
                    and Directors of Issuer Exempt from
                    Individual Liability.....................           109
Section 14.2    Provisions of Indenture for the Sole
                    Benefit of Parties and Holders of
                    Securities and Coupons...................           109
Section 14.3    Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound
                    by Indenture.............................           110
Section 14.4    Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee
                    and Holders of Securities and
                    Coupons..................................           110
Section 14.5    Officers' Certificates and Opinions of
                    Counsel; Statements to be Contained
                    Therein..................................           111
Section 14.6    Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and
                    Holidays.................................           112
Section 14.7    Conflict of any Provision of Indenture
                    with Trust Indenture Act of 1939.........           112
Section 14.8    Michigan Law to Govern.......................           112
Section 14.9    Counterparts.................................           112
Section 14.10   Effect of Headings...........................           113
Section 14.11   Separability Clause .........................           113

TESTIMONIUM..................................................           114

SIGNATURES...................................................           114
</TABLE>





                                     -vii-
<PAGE>   10


          THIS INDENTURE dated as of ____________, 1995 between CMS Energy
Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Issuer"), and The Chase Manhattan
Bank (National Association), a national banking association duly organized
under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the "Trustee").


                             W I T N E S S E T H :


          WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the issue from time to time
of its debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued
in one or more series (the "Securities") up to such principal amount or amounts
as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this
Indenture;

          WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of
this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery
and administration of the Securities; and

          WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid
indenture and agreement according to its terms have been done;

          NOW, THEREFORE:

          In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities
by the holders thereof, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree
for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to
time of the Securities and of the Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto as
follows:


                                  ARTICLE ONE

                                  DEFINITIONS

          Section 1.1  Certain Terms Defined.  The following terms (except as
otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires)
for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto
shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section.  All other terms
used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context
otherwise requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said
Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of this
Indenture.  All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall
have the meanings assigned to such terms





<PAGE>   11

in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term
"generally accepted accounting principles" means such accounting principles as
are generally accepted in the United States of America at the time of any
computation. The words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision.  The terms defined in this Article
include the plural as well as the singular.

          "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person.  For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

          "Authenticating Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.14.

          "Authorized Newspaper" means a newspaper published in English at
least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general
circulation in The City of New York, State of New York.  If it shall be
impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice
required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in
lieu thereof which is made or given with the approval of the Trustee shall
constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.

          "Board of Directors" means either the Board of Directors of the
Issuer or any committee of such Board duly authorized to act on its behalf.

          "Board Resolution" means a copy of one or more resolutions, certified
by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer to have been duly
adopted or consented to by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and
effect, and delivered to the Trustee.

          "Business Day" means, with respect to any series of Securities, a day
on which, in any city where amounts are payable on the Securities of such
series as therein specified, banking institutions are not authorized or
required by law or regulation to close.

          "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from
time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
or, if at any time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture such
Commission is not





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   12

existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, then the body performing such duties at such time.

          "Common Stock" means the Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Issuer
as it exists on the date of this Indenture and stock of any other class into
which such Common Stock may thereafter have been changed.

          "Conversion Agent" shall mean the office or agency where the
Securities of each series that is convertible may be presented for conversion
as set forth in Section 3.2.

          "Convertible Securities" means any or all options, warrants,
securities and rights, except the Securities, which are convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or which otherwise entitle the
holder thereof to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire Common Stock.

          "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which the
corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be
principally administered, which office is, at the date as of which this
Indenture is dated, located at Four Chase MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, New York
11245

          "Coupon" means any interest coupon appertaining to a Security.

          "covenant defeasance" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
10.1(C).

          "Depository" means, with respect to the Securities of any series
issuable or issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, the
Person designated as Depository by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.3, which
must be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and any other applicable statute or regulation, until a successor
Depository shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this
Indenture, and thereafter "Depository" shall mean each Person who is then a
Depository hereunder; and if at any time there is more than one such Person,
"Depository" as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall
mean each Depository with respect to the Registered Global Securities of such
series.

          "Event of Default" means any event or condition specified as such in
Section 5.1.

          "Government Obligations" means direct obligations of the United
States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or
obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of the





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   13

United States and the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by the
United States, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or
trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a
specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation
held by such custodian for the account of a holder of a depository receipt;
provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to
make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository
receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government
Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the
Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

          "Holder", "Holder of Securities", "Securityholder" or other similar
terms mean (a) in the case of any Registered Security, the Person in whose name
such Security is registered in the Security Register kept by the Issuer for
that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) in the case of any
Unregistered Security, the bearer of such Security, or any Coupon appertaining
thereto, as the case may be.

          "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and
delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or
supplemented or both, and shall include the forms and terms of particular
series of Securities established as provided hereunder.

          "Interest" means, when used with respect to an Original Issue
Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity or upon
default in any other payment due on such Security, interest payable after
Maturity or upon such default, as the case may be.

          "Interest Payment Date" means (a) the date or dates, if any, on which
interest is to be paid on any Security as established pursuant to Section
2.3(f) (provided, however, that the first Interest Payment Date for any
Security, the Original Issue Date of which is after a Record Date but prior to
the respective Interest Payment Date, shall be the Interest Payment Date
following the next succeeding Record Date), (b) the date of maturity or
redemption of such Security, and (c) only with respect to defaulted interest on
such Security, the date established for the payment of such defaulted interest
pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof.

          "Issuer" means (except as otherwise provided in Article Six) CMS
Energy Corporation, a Michigan corporation, and, subject to Article Nine, its
successors and assigns.

          "Issuer Order" means a written statement, request or order of the
Issuer signed in its name by the Chairman, the President or any Vice President
(whether or not designated by a





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   14

number or numbers or a word or words added before or after the title "Vice
President") or by the Treasurer of the Issuer.

          "Maturity" means, when used with respect to any Security, the date on
which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due
and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

          "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman,
the President or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or
numbers or a word or words added before or after the title "Vice President"),
and by the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, of the Issuer and delivered to the
Trustee.  Except as otherwise provided herein, each such certificate shall
include the statements provided for in Section 14.5.

          "Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion in writing signed by the
counsel of the Issuer as designated by the Board of Directors or by such other
legal counsel who may be an employee of or regular counsel to the Issuer and
who shall be satisfactory to the Trustee.  Each such opinion shall include the
statements provided for in Section 14.5, if and to the extent required thereby.

          "Original Issue Date" of any Security (or portion thereof) means the
earlier of (a) the date of such Security or (b) the date of any Security (or
portion thereof) for which such Security was issued (directly or indirectly) on
registration of transfer, exchange or substitution.

          "original issue discount" of any debt security, including any
Original Issue Discount Security, means the difference between the principal
amount of such debt security and the initial issue price of such debt security
(as set forth, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, on the face
of such Security).

          "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security that provides
for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon
a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1.

          "Outstanding" (except as otherwise provided in Section 6.8), when
used with reference to Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section
7.4, mean, as of any particular time, all Securities theretofore authenticated
and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

          (a)  Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to
     the Trustee for cancellation;





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   15


          (b)  Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption
     of which moneys or Government Obligations (as provided for in Section
     10.1) in the necessary amount shall have been theretofore deposited in
     trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Issuer) or
     shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Issuer for
     the Holders of such Securities (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying
     agent), provided that if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be
     redeemed prior to the Maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall
     have been given as herein provided, or provision satisfactory to the
     Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and

          (c)  Securities which shall have been paid or in substitution for
     which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered
     pursuant to the terms of Section 2.9 (except with respect to any such
     Security as to which proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that
     such Security is held by a Person in whose hands such Security is a legal,
     valid and binding obligation of the Issuer).

          In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount
of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (a) the
principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to
be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof
that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1,
and (b) Securities owned by the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities
of any Affiliate of the Issuer or of such other obligor shall be disregarded
and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that in determining whether the
Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which the
Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.  Securities so owned as
described in clause (b) above which have been pledged in good faith may be
regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that
the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or an
Affiliate of the Issuer or of such other obligor.

          "Periodic Offering" means an offering of Securities of any series
from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without
limitation, the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the stated maturity
or maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   16

thereto are to be determined by the Issuer or its agents upon the issuance of
such Securities.

          "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization
or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

          "principal", of a debt security, including any Security, means the
amount (including, without limitation, if and to the extent applicable, any
premium and, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, any accrued
original issue discount, but excluding interest) that is payable with respect
to such debt security as of any date and for any purpose (including, without
limitation, in connection with any sinking fund, upon any redemption at the
option of the Issuer, upon any purchase or exchange at the option of the Issuer
or the Holder of such debt security and upon any acceleration of the Maturity
of such debt security) and shall be deemed to include the words "and premium,
if any".

          "Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

          "Registered Global Security" means a Security evidencing all or a
part of a series of Securities issued to the Depository, or its nominee, for
such series in accordance with Section 2.4, and bearing the legend prescribed
in Section 2.4.

          "Registered Security" means any Security registered on the Security
Register of the Issuer.

          "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means
the chairman of the board of directors, any vice chairman of the board of
directors, the chairman of the trust committee, the chairman of the executive
committee, any vice chairman of the executive committee, the president, any
vice president (whether or not designated by numbers or words added before or
after the title "vice president"), the cashier, the secretary, the treasurer,
any trust officer, any assistant trust officer, any assistant vice president,
any assistant cashier, any assistant secretary, any assistant treasurer or any
other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be
such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred
because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

          "Security" or "Securities" (except as otherwise provided in Section
6.8) shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and,
more particularly, any





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   17

Securities that have been authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

          "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" shall have the
respective meanings set forth in Section 2.8.

          "Subsidiary" means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding
voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Issuer or by one
or more other Subsidiaries.  For the purposes of this definition, "voting
stock" means stock which ordinarily has voting power for the election of
directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has
such voting power by reason of any contingency.

          "Stated Maturity" means, when used with respect to any Security or
any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in
such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such
installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

          "Trust Indenture Act of 1939" or "Trust Indenture Act" (except as
otherwise provided in Sections 8.1 and 8.2) means the Trust Indenture Act of
1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was originally
executed.

          "Trustee" means the Person identified as the "Trustee" in the first
paragraph hereof and, subject to the provisions of Article Six, shall also
include any successor trustee.  "Trustee" shall also mean or include each
Person who is then a trustee hereunder; and if at any time there is more than
one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series
shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

          "Unregistered Security" means any Security other than a Registered
Security.

          "Yield to Maturity" means the yield to Maturity on a series of
Securities, calculated at the time of issuance of such series, or, if
applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series, in
accordance with accepted financial practice.

          Section 1.2  Other Definitions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Term                                   Defined in Section
- ----                                   ------------------
<S>                                      <C>
Average Market Price                     13.11
Current market price                     13.11
Determination Date                       13.11
Ex-Dividend Date                         13.11
Senior Indebtedness                      12.1(b)
</TABLE>





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   18





                                  ARTICLE TWO

                                   SECURITIES


          Section 2.1  Forms Generally.  The Securities of each series and the
Coupons, if any, to be attached thereto shall be substantially in such form
(not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant
to one or more Board Resolutions (as set forth in a Board Resolution or, to the
extent established pursuant to rather than set forth in a Board Resolution, an
Officers' Certificate detailing such establishment) or in one or more
indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions,
omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by
this Indenture, and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such
letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legend or legends or
endorsements, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be
required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant
thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general
usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Securities and
Coupons, if any, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities and
Coupons.

          The definitive Securities and Coupons, if any, shall be printed,
lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any
other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities and
Coupons, if any, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities and
Coupons.

          Section 2.2  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.  The
Trustee's certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in
substantially the following form:

          "This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.



                                           __________________________________,
                                           as Trustee


                                              By_______________________
                                              Authorized Officer"





                                      -9-
<PAGE>   19

          If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with
respect to any series of Securities, then the Trustee's certificate of
authentication to be borne by the Securities of each such series shall be
substantially as follows:

          "This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.


                                    _________________________,
                                    as Authenticating Agent


                                       By_______________________
                                       Authorized Officer"
        

          Section 2.3  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

          (a)  The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

          (b)  The Securities may be issued in one or more series and shall be
direct obligations of the Issuer.

          (c)  Each Security shall be dated and issued as of the date of its
authentication by the Trustee, which is its Original Issue Date; each Security
issued upon transfer, exchange or substitution of a Security shall bear the
Original Issue Date or Dates of such transferred, exchanged or substituted
Security.

          (d)  Each Security shall bear interest from the later of (1) its
Original Issue Date, or (2) the most recent Interest Payment Date to which
interest has been paid or duly provided for with respect to such Security until
the principal of such Security is paid or made available for payment, and
interest on each Security shall be payable on each Interest Payment Date after
the date of such Security.

          (e)  Each Security shall mature on a date specified in the Security
not less than nine months nor more than 40 years after the Original Issue Date,
and the principal amount of each outstanding Security shall be payable on the
Maturity specified therein.

          (f)  There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board
Resolutions (and, to the extent established pursuant to rather than set forth
in a Board Resolution, in an Officers' Certificate detailing such
establishment) or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto,
prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series:





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   20


          (1)  the designation of the Securities of such series, which shall
     distinguish the Securities of such series from the Securities of all other
     series;

          (2)  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities
     of such series that may be authenticated and delivered under this
     Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon
     registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other
     Securities of such series pursuant to Section 2.8, 2.9, 2.11, 8.5 or
     11.3);

          (3)  subject to Section 2.3(e), the date or dates (and whether fixed
     or extendible) on which the principal of the Securities of such series is
     payable;

          (4)  the rate or rates at which the Securities of such series shall
     bear interest, if any, the Interest Payment Date or Dates for the
     Securities of such series and the Record Date (in the case of Registered
     Securities) for interest payable on any Interest Payment Date and/or the
     method by which such rate or rates shall be determined;

          (5)  the place or places where the principal of and any interest on
     Securities of such series shall be payable and where such Securities may
     be registered or transferred (if in addition to, or other than, as
     provided in Section 3.2);

          (6)  any provisions relating to the issuance of Securities of such
     series at an original issue discount (including, without limitation, the
     issue price thereof, the rate or rates at which such original issue
     discount shall accrue, if any, and the dates from or to which or periods
     during which such original issue discount shall accrue at such rate or
     rates);

          (7)  the right, if any, of the Issuer to redeem or purchase
     Securities of such series, in whole or in part, at its option and the
     period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and any terms
     and conditions upon which Securities of such series may be so redeemed;

          (8)  the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or
     repay Securities of such series pursuant to any mandatory redemption,
     sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof
     and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which
     and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series shall be
     redeemed,





                                      -11-
<PAGE>   21





  purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such
  obligation;

   (9)  if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
  thereof, the denominations in which Securities of such series shall be
  issuable;

   (10)  the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to permit the conversion of
  Securities of such series into Common Stock and the terms and conditions upon
  which such conversion shall be effected (including, without limitation, the
  initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period and any other
  provision in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Article Thirteen of
  this Indenture relative to such obligation);

   (11)  if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the
  principal amount of Securities of such series which shall be payable upon
  acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1 or, if
  applicable, which is convertible in accordance with Article Thirteen;

   (12)  whether the Securities of such series will be subordinated to the
  payment of Senior Indebtedness on the terms and conditions set forth in
  Article Twelve and whether such subordination shall be subject to any
  provisions in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Article Twelve;

   (13)  whether the Securities of such series will be issuable as Registered
  Securities (and if so, whether such Securities will be issuable in whole or
  in part as Registered Global Securities) or Unregistered Securities (with or
  without Coupons), or any combination of the foregoing, any restrictions
  applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Unregistered Securities or the
  payment of interest thereon and, if other than as provided in Section 2.8,
  the terms upon which Unregistered Securities of such series may be exchanged
  for Registered Securities of such series and vice versa;

   (14)  whether and under what circumstances the Issuer will pay additional
  amounts on the Securities of such series held by a person who is not a U.S.
  Person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or
  deducted and, if so, whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem such
  Securities rather than pay such additional amounts;

   (15)  if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form
  (whether upon original



                                      12
<PAGE>   22

  issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon      
  receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other
  conditions, and the form and terms of any such certificates, documents or     
  conditions;

   (16)  any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer
  agents, conversion agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to
  the Securities of such series;

   (17)  any events of default or covenants with respect to the Securities of
  such series other than those specified herein;

   (18)  the Person to whom any interest on a Security of such series shall be
  payable, if other than the Person in whose name the Security (or one or more
  predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record
  Date for such interest;

   (19)  if the Securities of such series shall be issued in whole or in part
  in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, whether beneficial
  owners of interests in any such Registered Global Security may exchange such
  interests for Securities of such series of like tenor and of authorized form
  and denomination and the circumstances under which any such changes may
  occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.8;

   (20)  the right of the Issuer, if any, to defer any payment of principal of
  or interest on the Securities of such series, and the maximum length of any
  such deferral period;

   (21)  whether any property will be pledged to secure the Securities; and

   (22)  any other terms of such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent
  with the provisions of this Indenture).

   All Securities of any one series and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto
shall be substantially identical, except in the case of Registered Securities
as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided by or pursuant to
the Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate referred to above or as set forth
in any indenture supplemental hereto referred to above.  All Securities of any
one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to
time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or
pursuant to such


                                     -13-
<PAGE>   23

Board Resolution, such Officers' Certificate or in any such indenture
supplemental hereto.

   Section 2.4  Authentication and Delivery of Securities.  The Issuer may from
time to time deliver Securities of any series, having attached thereto
appropriate Coupons, if any, executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for
authentication, together with the applicable documents referred to below in
this Section, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such
Securities to or upon the order of the Issuer (contained in the Issuer Order
referred to below in this Section) or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to
the Trustee and to such recipients as may be specified from time to time by an
Issuer Order.  If so provided in the Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or
supplemental indenture establishing the Securities of any series, the maturity
date, Original Issue Date, interest rate, Interest Payment Date or Dates and
any other terms of any or all of the Securities of such series and the Coupons,
if any, appertaining thereto may be determined by or pursuant to such Issuer
Order and procedures.  If provided for in such procedures, such Issuer Order
may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to instructions (from the
Issuer or its duly authorized agent) in writing, by facsimile or any other
method mutually agreed upon by the Issuer and Trustee.  In authenticating the
Securities of a series and accepting the additional responsibilities under this
Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to
receive (but, in the case of subparagraphs 2, 3 and 4 below, only at or before
the time of the first request of the Issuer to the Trustee to authenticate
Securities of such series, however, any request after the first shall be deemed
to include the representation of the Issuer that the document previously
delivered pursuant to subparagraphs 2, 3 and 4 below are still true and in
effect) and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon,
unless and until such documents have been superseded or revoked:

   (1)  an Issuer Order requesting such authentication and setting forth
  delivery instructions if the Securities and the Coupons, if any, are not to
  be delivered to the Issuer, provided that, with respect to Securities of a
  series subject to a Periodic Offering, (a) such Issuer Order may be delivered
  by the Issuer to the Trustee at any time prior to the delivery to the Trustee
  of the Securities of such series for authentication and delivery, (b) the
  Trustee shall authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series for
  original issue from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not
  exceeding the aggregate principal amount established for such series,
  pursuant to an Issuer Order or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the
  Trustee as may be specified from time to time by


                                     -14-

<PAGE>   24

  an Issuer Order, (c) if so provided in the Board Resolution or supplemental
  indenture establishing the Securities of such series, the maturity date,
  Original Issue Date, interest rate, the Interest Payment Date or Dates and
  any other terms of any or all of  the Securities of such series may be
  determined by an Issuer Order or pursuant to such procedures and (d) if
  provided for in such procedures, such Issuer Order may authorize
  authentication and delivery pursuant to instructions in writing, by facsimile 
  or any other method mutually agreed upon by the Issuer and Trustee;

   (2)  any Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate and/or executed
  supplemental indenture referred to in Sections 2.1 and 2.3 by or pursuant to
  which the forms and terms of the Securities of such series and the Coupons,
  if any, were established;

   (3)  an Officers' Certificate setting forth the form or forms and terms of
  the Securities of such series and the Coupons, if any, stating (a) that such
  form or forms and terms have been established pursuant to Sections 2.1 and
  2.3 and comply with this Indenture, (b) the aggregate principal amount of all
  of the Securities outstanding under this Indenture and (c) the aggregate
  amount of interest paid with respect to such outstanding Securities on the
  most recent Interest Payment Date and covering such other matters as the
  Trustee may reasonably request; and

   (4)  at the option of the Issuer, either an Opinion of Counsel, or a letter
  addressed to the Trustee permitting it to rely on an Opinion of Counsel,
  substantially to the effect that:

     (a)  the forms of the Securities of such series and the Coupons, if any,
   have been duly authorized and established in conformity with the provisions
   of this Indenture;

     (b)  the terms of the Securities of such series have been duly authorized
   and established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

     (c)  when the Securities of such series and the Coupons, if any, have been
   executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with
   the provisions of this Indenture and delivered to and duly paid for by the
   purchasers thereof, they will have been duly issued under this Indenture and


                                     -15-

<PAGE>   25

   will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable in
   accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
   reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or
   affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights and to general principles  
   of equity, and will be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture;

     (d)  the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
   Issuer and constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Issuer,
   enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
   reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or
   affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights and to general principles of
   equity;

     (e)  the Indenture is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act;

     (f)  the issuance of the Securities will not result in any default under
   this Indenture, or any other contract, indenture, loan agreement or other
   instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it or any of its
   property is bound; and

     (g)  no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
   qualification of or with any governmental agency or body having jurisdiction
   over the Issuer is required for the execution and delivery of the Securities
   of such series by the Issuer, except such as have been obtained (except that
   no opinion need be expressed as to state securities or Blue Sky laws).

   The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any
Securities of any series under this Section (other than Securities the forms
and terms of which shall have been established by supplemental indenture) if
the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not
lawfully be taken by the Issuer or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of
directors or board of trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of
directors, trustees or Responsible Officers shall determine that such action
would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders or would
affect the Trustee's rights, duties or immunities under the Securities of any
such series, this Indenture or otherwise.


                                     -16-
<PAGE>   26

   If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Section 2.3 that the Securities of
a series are to be issued in the form of one or more Registered Global
Securities, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance
with this Section and the Issuer Order with respect to such series,
authenticate and deliver one or more Registered Global Securities that (i)
shall be in an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount
specified in such Issuer Order, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the
Depository therefor or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to
such Depository or pursuant to such Depository's instructions and (iv) shall
bear a legend substantially to the following effect:  "Unless and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form,
this Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to the
nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository
or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee
to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository."

   Section 2.5  Execution of Securities.  The Securities shall be signed on
behalf of the Issuer by both (a) its Chairman, its President or any Vice
President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or a word or words
added before or after the title "Vice President"), under its corporate seal
reproduced thereon, which need not be attested and (b) by its Chief Financial
Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary.  Such signatures may be the manual or facsimile signatures of such
officers.  Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such
signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that
has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.  The Coupons, if any,
applicable to the Securities of any series shall bear the facsimile signature
of the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Issuer.

   In case any officer of the Issuer who shall have so signed any of the
Securities or Coupons, if any, shall cease to be such officer before the
Security or Coupon so signed (or the Security to which the Coupon so signed
appertains) shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of
by the Issuer, such Security or Coupon nevertheless may be authenticated and
delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security or
Coupon had not ceased to be such officer of the Issuer; and any Security or
Coupon may be so signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the
actual date of the execution of such Security or Coupon, shall be the proper
officers of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution and delivery of
this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.


                                     -17-
<PAGE>   27

   Section 2.6  Certificate of Authentication.  Only such Securities as shall
bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form
hereinbefore recited, executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of
its authorized officers, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or
be valid or obligatory for any purpose.  No Coupon shall be entitled to the
benefits of this Indenture or shall be valid and obligatory for any purpose
until the certificate of authentication on the Security to which such Coupon
appertains shall have been duly executed by the Trustee.  The execution of such
certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Issuer shall be
conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly
authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the
benefits of this Indenture.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security
shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold
by the Issuer, and the Issuer shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for
cancellation as provided in Section 2.10, together with a written statement
(which need not comply with Section 14.5 and need not be accompanied by an
Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold
by the Issuer, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed
never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be
entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

   Section 2.7  Denomination of Securities; Payments of Interest.  The
Securities of each series shall be issuable as Registered Securities or
Unregistered Securities in denominations established as contemplated by Section
2.3 or, if not so established, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof.  The Securities of each series shall be numbered, lettered or
otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the
officers of the Issuer executing the same may determine with the approval of
the Trustee, as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.

   The Securities of each series shall bear interest, if any, from the date,
and such interest shall be payable on the Interest Payment Dates, established
as contemplated by Section 2.3.

   The Person in whose name any Registered Security of any series is registered
at the close of business on any Record Date applicable to such series with
respect to any Interest Payment Date for such series shall be entitled to
receive the interest, if any, payable on such Interest Payment Date
notwithstanding any transfer, exchange or conversion of such Registered
Security subsequent to the Record Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date,
except if and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the
interest due on such Interest Payment Date, in which case such defaulted
interest shall be paid to the Persons



                                     -18-
<PAGE>   28

in whose names Outstanding Registered Securities of such series are registered
at the close of business on a subsequent Record Date (which shall be not less
than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted
interest) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Issuer to
the Holders of Registered Securities of such series not less than 15 days
preceding such subsequent Record Date.  The term "Record Date", as used with
respect to any Interest Payment Date (except a date for payment of defaulted
interest) for the Securities of any series, shall mean the date specified as
such in the terms of the Registered Securities of such series established as
contemplated by Section 2.3.

   Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered
under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in
lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and
unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

   Section 2.8  Registration, Transfer and Exchange.  The Issuer will keep, or
cause to be kept, at the Corporate Trust Office and at each other office or
agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2 for each
series of Securities a register or registers (collectively, the "Security
Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may
prescribe, it will provide for the registration of Registered Securities of
such series and the registration of transfer of Registered Securities of such
series.  The Security Register shall be in written form in the English language
or in any other form capable of being converted into such form within a
reasonable time.  At all reasonable times such register or registers not
maintained by the Trustee shall be open for inspection by the Trustee.  Unless
and until otherwise determined by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.3, the
Security Register with respect to each series of Registered Securities shall be
kept solely at the Corporate Trust Office and, for this purpose, the Trustee
shall be designated the "Security Registrar."

   Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Registered
Security of any series at any such office or agency, the Issuer shall execute
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or
transferees a new Registered Security or Registered Securities of the same
series, maturity date and interest rate in authorized denominations for a like
aggregate principal amount.

   Unregistered Securities (except for any temporary global Unregistered
Securities) and Coupons (except for Coupons attached to any temporary global
Unregistered Securities) shall be transferable as set forth in the preceding
paragraph solely upon delivery of such Securities at any such office or agency.

                                     -19-
<PAGE>   29

   At the option of the Holder thereof, Registered Securities of any series
(other than a Registered Global Security, except as set forth below) may be
exchanged for one or more Registered Securities of such series in authorized
denominations for a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such
Registered Securities to be exchanged at the office or agency to be maintained
for such purpose in accordance with Section 3.2 and upon payment, if the Issuer
shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided.  If the Securities of
any series are issued in both registered and unregistered form, except as
otherwise specified for a particular series pursuant to Section 2.3, at the
option of the Holder thereof, Unregistered Securities of any series may be
exchanged for Registered Securities of such series in authorized denominations
for a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Unregistered
Securities to be exchanged at the office or agency to be maintained for such
purpose in accordance with Section 3.2, with, in the case of Unregistered
Securities that have Coupons attached, all unmatured Coupons and all matured
Coupons in default thereto appertaining, and upon payment, if the Issuer shall
so require, of the charges hereinafter provided.  At the option of the Holder
thereof, if Unregistered Securities of any series, maturity date, interest rate
and Original Issue Date are issued in more than one authorized denomination,
except as otherwise specified for a particular series pursuant to Section 2.3,
such Unregistered Securities may be exchanged for other Unregistered Securities
of such series in authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal
amount, upon surrender of such Unregistered Securities to be exchanged at the
office or agency to be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section
3.2 or as specified for a particular series pursuant to Section 2.3, with, in
the case of Unregistered Securities that have Coupons attached, all unmatured
Coupons and all matured Coupons in default thereto appertaining, and upon
payment, if the Issuer shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided.
Unless otherwise specified for a particular series pursuant to Section 2.3,
Registered Securities of any series may not be exchanged for Unregistered
Securities of such series.  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for
exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to
receive.  All Securities and Coupons surrendered upon any exchange or transfer
provided for in this Indenture shall be promptly cancelled and disposed of by
the Trustee and the Trustee will deliver a certificate of disposition thereof
to the Issuer.

   All Registered Securities presented for registration of transfer, exchange,
redemption or payment shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Trustee) be
duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by,
the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

                                     -20-
<PAGE>   30


   The Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or
registration of transfer of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to
Sections 2.11, 8.5 and 11.2 not involving any transfer.  No service charge
shall be made for any such transaction.

   The Issuer shall not be required to (a) issue, exchange or register a
transfer of any Securities of any series for a period of 15 days next preceding
the first mailing or publication of notice of redemption of Securities of such
series to be redeemed or (b) exchange or register the transfer of any
Securities selected, called or being called for redemption, in whole or in
part, except, in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion
thereof not so to be redeemed.

   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, unless and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, a
Registered Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a
series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository for such
Registered Global Security to a nominee of such Depository or by a nominee of
such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by
such Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository for such
Registered Global Security or a nominee of such successor Depository.

   If at any time a Depository for any Registered Securities of a series
represented by one or more Registered Global Securities notifies the Issuer
that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Registered
Securities or if at any time any such Depository shall no longer be eligible as
a Depository, the Issuer shall appoint a successor Depository with respect to
the Registered Securities held by such Depository.  If a successor Depository
is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives such
notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Registered Securities of
such series shall no longer be represented by one or more Registered Global
Securities held by such Depository, and the Issuer shall execute, and the
Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of
definitive Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver Securities
of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized
denominations and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal
amount of the Registered Global Security or Securities held by such Depository
in exchange for such Registered Global Security or Securities.

   Within seven days after the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in
clause (a), (b) or (c) of Section 5.1 with respect to any series of Registered
Global Securities, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver,

                                     -21-
<PAGE>   31

Securities of such series in definitive registered form without Coupons, in any
authorized denominations and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the Registered Global Security or Securities representing
Registered Securities of such series in exchange for such Registered Global
Security or Securities.

   The Issuer may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the
Registered Securities of a particular series shall no longer be represented by
a Registered Global Security or Securities.  In such event, the Issuer shall
execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the
authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, shall
authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive registered
form without Coupons, in any authorized denominations and in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Registered Global
Security or Securities representing Registered Securities of such series in
exchange for such Registered Global Security or Securities.

   If so specified by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.3 with respect to
Securities of a particular series represented by a Registered Global Security,
the Depository for such Registered Global Security may surrender such
Registered Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of
such series in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to
the Issuer and such Depository.  Thereupon, the Issuer shall execute, and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver:

   (i)  to each Person specified by such Depository a new Registered Security
  or Securities of such series, in any authorized denominations requested by
  such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for,
  such Person's beneficial interest in the Registered Global Security; and

   (ii)  to such Depository a new Registered Global Security in a denomination
  equal to the difference between the principal amount of the surrendered
  Registered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Registered
  Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (i) above.

   Upon the exchange of any Registered Global Security for Securities in
definitive registered form without Coupons, in authorized denominations, such
Registered Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee or an agent of the
Issuer or the Trustee.  Securities in definitive registered form without
Coupons issued in exchange for a Registered Global Security pursuant to this
Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations
as the Depository for such Registered Global Security, pursuant to instructions
from its


                                     -22-
<PAGE>   32

direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or an
agent of the Issuer or the Trustee.  The Trustee or such agent shall deliver
such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Securities
are so registered.

   All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt,
and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

   Notwithstanding anything herein or in the terms of any series of Securities
to the contrary, none of the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or
the Trustee (any of which, other than the Issuer, shall rely on an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel) shall be required to exchange any
Unregistered Security for a Registered Security if such exchange would result
in adverse Federal income tax consequences to the Issuer (such as, for example,
the inability of the Issuer to deduct from its income, as computed for Federal
income tax purposes, the interest payable on the Unregistered Securities) under
then applicable United States Federal income tax laws.

   Section 2.9  Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.  In
case any temporary or definitive Security or any Coupon appertaining to any
Security shall become mutilated, defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the
Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon receipt of an Issuer Order, the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver a new Security of the same series,
maturity date, interest rate, Interest Payment Date or Dates and Original Issue
Date, bearing a number or other distinguishing symbol not contemporaneously
outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced
Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost
or stolen, with Coupons corresponding to the Coupons appertaining to the
Securities so mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen, or in exchange or
substitution for the Security to which such mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost
or stolen Coupon appertained, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding
to the Coupons so mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen.  In every case
the applicant for a substitute Security or Coupon shall furnish to the Issuer
and to the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or
indemnity as may be required by them to indemnify and defend and to save each
of them and any agent of either of them harmless and, in every case of
destruction, loss or theft, evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction,
loss or theft of such Security or Coupon and of the ownership thereof and, in
the case of mutilation or defacement, shall surrender the Security and related
Coupons to the Trustee or such agent.

                                     -23-
<PAGE>   33


   Upon the issuance of any substitute Security or Coupon, the Issuer may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses
(including the fees and expenses of the Trustee or its agent) connected
therewith.  In case any Security or Coupon which has matured or is about to
mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or
defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may, instead of issuing a
substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same or the relevant
Coupon (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced
Security or Coupon), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the
Issuer and to the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such
security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless,
and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to their
satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security or Coupon and
of the ownership thereof.

   Every substitute Security or Coupon of any series issued pursuant to the
provisions of this Section by virtue of the fact that any such Security or
Coupon is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual
obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security
or Coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and shall be entitled to
all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set
forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other
Securities or Coupons of such series duly authenticated and delivered
hereunder.  All Securities and Coupons shall be held and owned upon the express
condition that, to the extent permitted by law, the foregoing provisions are
exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced,
destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and Coupons and shall preclude any and all
other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or
hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of
negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

   Section 2.10  Cancellation of Securities; Destruction Thereof.  All
Securities and Coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange, or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking
or analogous fund, if surrendered to the Issuer or any agent of the Issuer or
any agent of the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee or its agent for
cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it; and
no Securities or Coupons shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly
permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture.  The Trustee or its agent
shall dispose of cancelled Securities and Coupons held by it and deliver a
certificate of disposition to the Issuer.  If the Issuer or its agent shall
acquire any of the Securities or


                                     -24-
<PAGE>   34

Coupons, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of
the indebtedness represented by such Securities or Coupons unless and until the
same are delivered to the Trustee or its agent for cancellation.

   Section 2.11  Temporary Securities.  Pending the preparation of definitive
Securities for any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver temporary Securities for such series (printed,
lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form
satisfactory to the Trustee).  Temporary Securities of any series shall be
issuable as Registered Securities without Coupons, or as Unregistered
Securities with or without Coupons attached thereto, of any authorized
denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of
such series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be
appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuer
with the concurrence of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and
authentication thereof.  Temporary Securities may contain such references to
any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate.  Every temporary
Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee
upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like
effect, as the definitive Securities.  Without unreasonable delay the Issuer
shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and
thereupon temporary Registered Securities of such series may be surrendered in
exchange for such definitive Securities in registered form without charge at
each office or agency to be maintained for such purpose in accordance with
Section 3.2 and, in the case of Unregistered Securities, at any office or
agency to be maintained for such purpose as specified pursuant to Section 2.3,
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary
Securities of such series an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive
Securities of the same series in authorized denominations and, in the case of
Unregistered Securities, having attached thereto any appropriate Coupons.
Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to
the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series,
unless otherwise established pursuant to Section 2.3.  The provisions of this
Section are subject to any restrictions or limitations on the issue and
delivery of temporary Unregistered Securities of any series that may be
established pursuant to Section 2.3 (including any provision that Unregistered
Securities of such series initially be issued in the form of a single Global
Unregistered Security to be delivered to a depositary or agency located outside
the United States and the procedures pursuant to which definitive Unregistered
Securities of such series would be issued in exchange for such temporary global
Unregistered Security).

   Section 2.12  Computation of Interest.  Except as 


                                     -25-
<PAGE>   35

otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.3 for Securities of any
series, interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.


                                 ARTICLE THREE

                            COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER


   Section 3.1  Payment of Principal and Interest.  The Issuer covenants and
agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and
punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and interest, if any, on,
each of the Securities of such series (together with any additional amounts
payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) at the place or places, at
the respective times and in the manner provided in such Securities and in the
Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto and in this Indenture.  The interest on
Securities with Coupons attached (together with any additional amounts payable
pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be payable only upon
presentation and surrender of the several Coupons for such interest
installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature.  If any
temporary Unregistered Security provides that interest thereon may be paid
while in temporary form, the interest on any such temporary Unregistered
Security (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of
such Security) shall be paid, as to the installments of interest evidenced by
Coupons attached thereto, if any, only upon presentation and surrender thereof,
and, as to the other installments of interest, if any, only upon presentation
of such temporary Unregistered Security for notation thereon of the payment of
such interest, in each case subject to any restrictions that may be established
pursuant to Section 2.3.  The interest on Registered Securities (together with
any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall
be payable only to or upon the written order of the Holders thereof and, at the
option of the Issuer, may be paid by wire transfer or by mailing checks for
such interest payable to or upon the written order of such Holders at their
last addresses as they appear on the registry books of the Issuer.

   Section 3.2  Offices for Payments, etc.  So long as any Registered
Securities are outstanding hereunder, the Issuer will maintain in The City of
New York, State of New York an office or agency where the Registered Securities
of each series may be presented for payment, where the Securities of each
series may be presented for exchange as in this Indenture provided, where the
Registered Securities of each series may be presented for registration of
transfer as in this Indenture provided and where


                                     -26-
<PAGE>   36

the Securities of each series that is convertible may be presented for
conversion as in this Indenture provided.

   The Issuer will maintain one or more offices or agencies in a city or cities
located outside the United States (including any city in which such an office
or agency is required to be maintained under the rules of any stock exchange on
which the Securities of any series are listed) where the Unregistered
Securities, if any, of each series and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto
may be presented for payment.  No payment on any Unregistered Security or
Coupon will be made upon presentation of such Unregistered Security or Coupon
at an office or agency of the Issuer within the United States, nor will any
payment be made by transfer to an account in, or by mail to an address in, the
United States unless pursuant to applicable United States laws and regulations
then in effect such payment can be made without adverse tax consequences to the
Issuer.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments on Unregistered Securities of
any series and Coupons appertaining thereto may be made at an office or agency
of the Issuer maintained in the The City of New York, State of New York, if
such payment at each office or agency maintained by the Issuer outside the
United States for payment on such Unregistered Securities is illegal or
effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

   The Issuer will maintain in The City of New York an office or agency where
notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities of any
series, the Coupons appertaining thereto or this Indenture may be served.

   The Issuer will give to the Trustee prompt written notice of the location of
each such office or agency and of any change of location thereof.  In case the
Issuer shall fail to maintain any office or agency required by this Section to
be located in The City of New York, State of New York or shall fail to give
such notice of the location or of any change in the location of any of the
above offices or agencies, presentations and demands may be made and notices
may be served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and, in such event,
the Trustee shall act as the Issuer's agent to receive all such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands.

   The Issuer may from time to time designate one or more additional offices or
agencies where the Securities of any series and any Coupons appertaining
thereto may be presented for payment, where the Securities of such series may
be presented for exchange as in this Indenture provided, where the Registered
Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer as in
this Indenture provided and where the Securities of each series that is
convertible may be presented for conversion as in this Indenture provided, and
the Issuer may from


                                     -27-
<PAGE>   37

time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such
designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its
obligation to maintain any office or agency provided for in this Section.  The
Issuer will give to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation
or rescission thereof and of change in the location of any such other office or
agency.

   Section 3.3  Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee.  The
Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee,
will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.10, a Trustee, so that there
shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to each series of Securities
hereunder.

   Section 3.4  Paying Agents.  Whenever the Issuer shall appoint a paying
agent other than the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, it
will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an
instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the
provisions of this Section:

   (a)  that such paying agent will hold all sums received by it as such agent
  for the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of
  such series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any
  other obligor on the Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of
  the Holders of the Securities of such series entitled thereto and the Coupons
  appertaining thereto, if any, or of the Trustee until such sums shall be paid
  to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

   (b)  that such paying agent will give the Trustee notice of any failure by
  the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) to make
  any payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series
  when the same shall be due and payable; and

   (c) at any time during the continuance of any such failure, upon the written
  request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in
  trust by such paying agent.

   The Issuer will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or
interest, if any, on the Securities of any series, deposit with the paying
agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due, such
sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of
such series entitled to such principal or interest, and (unless such


                                     -28-
<PAGE>   38


paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any
failure to take such action.

   If the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent with respect to the
Securities of any series, it will, on or before each due date of the principal
of or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series, set aside, segregate
and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such
series or the Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto a sum sufficient to pay
such principal or interest, if any, so becoming due until such sums shall be
paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided.  The Issuer
will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

   Anything in this section to the contrary notwithstanding, but subject to
Section 10.1, the Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a
satisfaction and discharge with respect to one or more or all series of
Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the
Trustee all sums held in trust for any such series by the Issuer or any paying
agent hereunder, as required by this Section, such sums to be held by the
Trustee upon the trusts herein contained, and, upon such payment by any paying
agent to the Trustee, such paying agent shall be released from all further
liability with respect to such money.

   Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to
hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of
Sections 10.3 and 10.4.


                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                    SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE
                          ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE             


   Section 4.1  Issuer to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of
Securityholders.  The Issuer and any other obligor on the Securities covenant
and agree that they will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list
in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses
of the Holders of the Registered Securities of each series:

   (a)  semi-annually and not more than 15 days after each Record Date for the
  payment of interest on such Registered Securities, as of such Record Date and
  on dates to be determined pursuant to Section 2.3 for non-interest bearing
  Registered Securities, in each year; and


                                     -29-
<PAGE>   39


   (b)  at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30
  days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request, as of a date not more
  than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished;

provided that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar for
such series and all of the Securities of such series are Registered Securities,
such list shall not be required to be furnished.

   Section 4.2  Preservation and Disclosure of Securityholders Lists.  (a)  The
Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all
information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of each series of
Registered Securities (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as
provided in Section 4.1, (ii) received by it in the capacity of Security
Registrar for such series, if so acting, and (iii) filed with it within the two
preceding years pursuant to Section 4.4(c)(ii).  The Trustee may destroy any
list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 upon receipt of a new list so
furnished.

   (b)  In case three or more Holders of Securities (hereinafter referred to as
"applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee
reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of
at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such
application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders
of Securities of a particular series (in which case the applicants must all
hold Securities of such series) or with Holders of all Securities with respect
to their rights under this Indenture or under such Securities and such
application is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other
communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee
shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its
election, either

   (i)  afford to such applicants access to the information preserved at the
  time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of
  this Section; or

   (ii)  inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders of
  Registered Securities of such series or of all Registered Securities, as the
  case may be, whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at
  the time by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such subsection
  (a) and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of
  proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.


                                     -30-
<PAGE>   40


   If the Trustee shall elect not to afford to such applicants access to such
information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants,
mail to each Holder of such series or all Holders of Registered Securities,
whose name and address appears in the information preserved at the time by the
Trustee in accordance with the provisions of such subsection (a) a copy of the
form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with
reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be
mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses
of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to
such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the
material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion
of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the
Holders of Registered Securities of such series or of all Registered
Securities, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law.
Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion.  If the
Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in
the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of
such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of
such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for
hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met, and shall enter an
order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such
Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the
renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any
obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

   (c)  Each and every Holder of Securities and Coupons, by receiving and
holding the same, agrees with the Issuer and the Trustee that neither the
Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be held
accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names
and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (b) of this Section, regardless of the source from which such
information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by
reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under such subsection
(b).

   Section 4.3  Reports by the Issuer.  The Issuer covenants:

   (a)  to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Issuer is required
  to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the
  information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any
  of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and
  regulations prescribe) which the Issuer may be required to file



                                      31
<PAGE>   41





                with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or if the Issuer is not required 
to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections,
then to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and
regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the
supplementary and periodic information, documents, and reports which may be
required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in
respect of a debt security listed and registered on a national securities
exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

     (b)  to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules
  and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such
  additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by
  the Issuer with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture
  as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations;

     (c)  to transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities within 30 days after
  the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided
  in Section 4.4(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports
  required to be filed by the Issuer pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of
  this Section as may be required to be transmitted to such Holders by rules
  and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission; and

     (d)  to furnish to the Trustee, not less often than annually, a brief
  certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer
  or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Issuer's
  compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (such
  compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or
  requirement of notice provided under this Indenture).

   Section 4.4  Reports by the Trustee.  (a)  Within 60 days after May 15 of
each year, commencing with the year 1995, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to
the Holders of the Securities of each series, as provided in subsection (c) of
this Section, a brief report dated as of such May 15 with respect to any of the
following events which may have occurred within the twelve-month period ending
on such May 15 (but if no event has occurred within such period no report need
be transmitted):


                                      32
<PAGE>   42

   (i)  any change to its eligibility under Section 6.9 and its qualification
  under Section 6.8;

   (ii)  the creation of or any material change to a relationship specified in
  Section 6.8(c);

   (iii)  the character and amount of any advances (and if the Trustee elects
  so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof) made by the
  Trustee (as such) which remain unpaid on the date of such report and for the
  reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge, prior to that
  of the Securities of such series, on any property or funds held or collected
  by it as Trustee, except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may
  elect) to report such advances if such advances so remaining unpaid aggregate
  not more than 1/2 of 1% of the principal amount of the Securities of such
  series Outstanding on the date of such report;

   (iv)  any change to the amount, interest rate and maturity date of all other
  indebtedness owing by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities)
  to the Trustee in its individual capacity on the date of such report, with a
  brief description of any property held as collateral security therefor,
  except any indebtedness based upon a creditor relationship arising in any
  manner described in Section 6.13(b)(2),(3),(4) or (6);

   (v)  any change to the property and funds of the Issuer, if any, physically
  in the possession of the Trustee (as such) on the date of such report;

   (vi)  any release, or release and substitution of property subject to the
  lien of the Indenture (and the consideration therefor, if any) which the
  Trustee has not previously reported;

   (vii)  any additional issue of Securities which the Trustee has not
  previously reported; and

   (viii)  any action taken by the Trustee in the performance of its duties
  under this Indenture which it has not previously reported and which in its
  opinion materially affects the Securities of such series, except action in
  respect of a default, notice of which has been or is to be withheld by it in
  accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11.

   (b)  The Trustee shall transmit to the Holders of each series, as provided
 in subsection (c) of this Section, a brief

                                     -33-
<PAGE>   43

report with respect to the character and amount of any advances (and if the
Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof)
made by the Trustee, as such, since the date of the last report transmitted
pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section (or if no such
report has yet been so transmitted, since the date of this Indenture) for the
reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge, prior to that
of the Securities of such series, on property or funds held or collected by it
as Trustee and which it has not previously reported pursuant to this subsection
(b), except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect)  to report
such advances if such advances remaining unpaid at any time aggregate 10% or
less of the principal amount of the Securities of such series outstanding at
such time, such report to be transmitted within 90 days after such time.

   (c)  Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted by mail:

   (i)  to all Holders of Registered Securities, as the names and addresses of
  such Holders appear upon the Security Register;

   (ii)  to such other Holders of Securities as have, within two years
  preceding such transmission, filed their names and addresses with the Trustee
  for that purpose; and

   (iii)  except in the case of reports pursuant to subsection (b), to each
  Holder of a Security whose name and address are preserved at the time by the
  Trustee as provided in Section 4.2(a).

   (d)  A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
the Holders, be furnished to the Issuer and be filed by the Trustee with each
stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities of any series are listed and
also with the Commission.  The Issuer agrees to notify the Trustee when and as
the Securities of such series become admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange.



                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                  REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
                              ON EVENT OF DEFAULT            


   Section 5.1  Event of Default Defined; Acceleration of Maturity; Waiver of
Default.  "Event of Default" with respect to Securities of any series, wherever
used herein, means each of the

                                     -34-
<PAGE>   44

following events which shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the
reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or
involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body):

   (a)  default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the
  Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable,
  and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; provided, however,
  that if the Issuer is permitted by the terms of the Securities of such series
  to defer the payment in question, the date on which such payment is due and
  payable shall be the date on which the Issuer is requried to make payment
  following such deferral, if such deferral has been elected pursuant to the
  terms of the Securities; or

   (b)  default in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any of
  the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and
  payable, whether at Maturity, upon purchase by the Issuer at the option of
  the Holder, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise; provided,
  however, that if the Issuer is permitted by the terms of the Securities of
  such series to defer the payment in question, the date on which such payment
  is due and payable shall be the date on which the Issuer is required to make
  payment following such deferral, if such deferral has been elected pursuant
  to the terms of the Securities; or

   (c)  default in the deposit or payment of any sinking fund or analogous
  payment for the benefit of the Securities of such series as and when the same
  shall become due and payable; or

   (d)  failure on the part of the Issuer duly to observe or perform any other
  of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuer in the Securities of
  such series or in this Indenture contained (other than a covenant or
  agreement expressly included herein solely for the benefit of Securities of
  other series) for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice
  specifying such failure, stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default"
  hereunder and demanding that the Issuer remedy the same, shall have been
  given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
  Issuer by the Trustee, or to the Issuer and the Trustee by the Holders of not
  less than

                                     -35-
<PAGE>   45

  25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series
affected thereby; or

   (e)  a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or
  order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case under any
  applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
  effect, adjudging the Issuer a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as
  properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
  composition of or in respect of the Issuer under any applicable law, or
  appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or
  sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for any substantial part
  of the property of the Issuer, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of
  the affairs of the Issuer, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and
  in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

   (f)  the Issuer shall commence a voluntary case or proceeding under any
  applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
  effect or any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or
  insolvent, or consent to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an
  involuntary case under any such law, or to the commencement of any bankruptcy
  or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a
  petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any
  applicable law, or consent to the filing of such petition or to the
  appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
  custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for
  any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, or make any general
  assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the notice by it in writing of
  its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of
  any corporate action by the Issuer in furtherance of any such action;

   (g)  entry of final judgments against the Issuer or Consumers Power Company
  aggregating in excess of $25,000,000 which remain undischarged or unbonded
  for a period (during which execution shall not be effectively stayed) of 60
  days;

   (h)  a default under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of
  indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer (including a default with
  respect to Securities of any series other than that series) or under any
  mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which
  there may be secured or

                                     -36-
<PAGE>   46

  evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer (including this
  Indenture), whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be
  created, which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness in an
  aggregate principal amount exceeding $25,000,000 becoming or being declared
  due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due
  and payable, without such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled
  within a period of 10 days after there shall have been given, by registered
  or certified mail, to the Issuer by the Trustee or to the Issuer and the
  Trustee by the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding
  Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default and
  requiring the Company to cause such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled
  and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

   (i)  any other Event of Default provided in the supplemental indenture or
  Board Resolution establishing the terms of such series of Securities as
  provided in Section 2.3 or in the form of Security for such series;

then, unless the principal of all the Securities shall have already become due
and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of all the Securities of such series then
Outstanding, by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by
such Holders), may declare the entire principal of all the Securities of such
series then Outstanding and interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and
payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become
immediately due and payable.

   The foregoing paragraph, however, is subject to the condition that if, at
any time after the principal of the Securities of one or more series shall have
been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the
payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter
provided, the Issuer shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum
sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities
of such series and the principal of all Securities of such series which shall
have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such
principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under
applicable law, on overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the
rate of interest (or Yield to Maturity, in the case of Original Issue Discount
Securities) specified in the Securities of such series, to the date of such
payment or deposit) and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable
compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other
expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except
as a result of negligence or

                                     -37-
<PAGE>   47

bad faith, and if any and all Events of Default under this Indenture with
respect to such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of
Securities of such series which shall have become due by acceleration, shall
have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein - then, and in
every such case, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all
the Securities of such affected series then Outstanding by written notice to
the Issuer and to the Trustee, may direct the Trustee to waive all defaults
with respect to such series and rescind and annul such declaration and its
consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or
shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent
thereon.

   For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any
Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due
and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such
declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the
principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed,
for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as
shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such
portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of
such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other
amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original
Issue Discount Securities.

   Section 5.2  Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Debt.
The Issuer covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the payment of
any installment of interest on any of the Securities of any series when such
interest shall have become due and payable, and such default shall have
continued for a period of 30 days, or (b) in case default shall be made in the
payment of all or any part of the principal of any of the Securities of any
series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether at Maturity,
upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise -- then, upon demand of the
Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of
the Securities of such series the whole amount that then shall have become due
and payable on all Securities of such series, including all Coupons, for
principal or interest, as the case may be (with interest to the date of such
payment upon the overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such
interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of
interest at the same rate as the rate of interest (or Yield to Maturity, in the
case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such
series); and in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to
cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation
to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses and
liabilities incurred by such parties, and

                                     -38-
<PAGE>   48

all advances made by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad
faith.

   Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal
of and interest on the Securities of such series to the Holders, whether or not
the Securities of such series be overdue.

   In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such
demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall
be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in
equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any
such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any
such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or other obligor upon the
Securities of such series and collect in the manner provided by law out of the
property of the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of such series,
wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

   In case there shall be pending proceedings relative to the Issuer or any
other obligor upon the Securities of any series under Title 11 of the United
States Code or any other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or
other similar law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or
reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been
appointed for or taken possession of the Issuer or its property or such other
obligor, or in case of any other comparable judicial proceedings relative to
the Issuer or such other obligor, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer
or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of
the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed
or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall
have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be
entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise:

   (a)  to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of the
  principal and interest (or, if the Securities of any series are Original
  Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be
  specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the
  Securities of each series, and to file such other papers or documents as may
  be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee
  (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and its
  agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and
  liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee, except as a
  result of negligence or bad faith) and of the Securityholders allowed in any
  judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or such other

                                     -39-
<PAGE>   49

  obligor, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor;

   (b)  unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf
  of the Holders of the Securities of each series in any election of a trustee
  or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other
  bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or person performing similar functions
  in comparable proceedings; and

   (c)  to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
  deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with
  respect to the claims of the Securityholders and of the Trustee on their
  behalf; and any trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar
  official is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make payments
  to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the
  making of payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee
  such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the
  Trustee, and its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and
  liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except, in each
  case, as a result of negligence or bad faith.

   Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder
any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting
the Securities of any series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to
authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such
proceeding except, as aforesaid, to vote for the election of a trustee in
bankruptcy or similar person.

   All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under
any of the Securities of any series or Coupons appertaining thereto, may be
prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the
Securities of such series or Coupons appertaining thereto or the production
thereof at any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action
or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as
trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment, subject to the
payment of the expenses, disbursements and compensation of the Trustee and its
agents, attorneys and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders
of the Securities or Coupons appertaining to such Securities in respect of
which such action was taken.

   In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings
involving the interpretation of any provision of this


                                     -40-
<PAGE>   50

Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party), the Trustee shall be held to
represent all the Holders of the Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto in
respect to which action was taken, and it shall not be necessary to make any
Holders of such Securities or Coupons parties to any such proceedings.

   Section 5.3  Application of Proceeds.  Any moneys collected by the Trustee
pursuant to this Article in respect of the Securities of any series shall be
applied in the following order at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal or interest,
upon presentation of the several Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto in
respect of which moneys have been collected and stamping (or otherwise noting)
thereon the payment, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid, or issuing
Securities of the same series in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the
presented Securities if only partially paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully
paid:

   FIRST:  To the payment of costs and expenses of collection applicable to
  such series, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee and its agents,
  attorneys and counsel and of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all
  advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith;

   SECOND:  In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect
  of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and
  payable, to the payment of interest, if any, on the Securities of such series
  in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest,
  with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the
  Trustee and to the extent permitted by law) upon the overdue installments of
  interest at the same rate as the rate of interest (or Yield to Maturity, in
  the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities,
  such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without
  discrimination or preference;

   THIRD:  In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of
  which moneys have been collected shall have become and be then due and
  payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all
  the Securities of such series for principal and interest, if any, with
  interest upon the overdue principal, and (to the extent that such interest
  has been collected by the Trustee and to the extent permitted by law) upon
  overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest (or
  Yield to Maturity, in the case of Original Issue

                                     -41-
<PAGE>   51

  Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series; and in case
  such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and
  unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such
  principal and interest, without preference or priority of principal over
  interest, or of interest over principal, or of any installment of interest
  over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series
  over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such
  principal and accrued and unpaid interest; and

   FOURTH:  To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or any other
   Person lawfully entitled thereto.

   Section 5.4  Suits for Enforcement.  In case an Event of Default has
occurred, has not been waived and is continuing, the Trustee may in its
discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this
Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem
most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in
equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of
any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise
of any power granted in this Indenture or to enforce any other legal or
equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

   Section 5.5  Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceedings.  In case
the Trustee or any Holder shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this
Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for
any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such
Holder, then, and in every such case, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders
shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder,
and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders
shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

   Section 5.6  Limitations on Suits by Securityholders.  No Holder of any
Security of any series or of any Coupon appertaining thereto shall have any
right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute
any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise upon
or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a
trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official or for any
other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the
Trustee written notice of default and of the continuance thereof, as
hereinbefore provided, and unless also the Holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each affected series then
Outstanding (determined as provided herein and voting



                                     -42-


<PAGE>   52

as one class) shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute
such action or proceedings in its own name as trustee hereunder and shall have
offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the
costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby and the
Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of
indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action or proceeding and no
direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the
Trustee pursuant to Section 5.9; it being understood and intended, and being
expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Security or Coupon with
every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of
Securities of any series or Coupons appertaining thereto shall have any right
in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this
Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of
Securities or Coupons appertaining thereto, or to obtain or seek to obtain
priority over or preference to any other such Holder or to enforce any right
under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal,
ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Securities of the affected series
and Coupons.  For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this
Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to
such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

   Section 5.7  Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Receive Principal and
Interest and to Institute Certain Suits.  Notwithstanding any other provision
in this Indenture and any provision of any Security, the right of any Holder of
any Security or Coupon to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if
any, on such Security or Coupon on or after the respective due dates expressed
in such Security or Coupon or any date fixed for redemption, or to institute
suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates,
shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

   Section 5.8  Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of
Default.  Except as provided in Section 5.6, no right or remedy herein
conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or
Coupons is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every
right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in
addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

   No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of Securities or
Coupons to exercise any right or power accruing



                                     -43-

<PAGE>   53

upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair
any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Event
of Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to Section 5.6, every right
and power given by this Indenture or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders of
Securities or Coupons may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall
be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or Coupons,
as the case may be.

   Section 5.9  Control by Holders of Securities.  The Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected at the
time Outstanding (determined as provided herein and voting as one class) shall
have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such
affected series by this Indenture; provided that such direction shall not be
otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture; and
provided further that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1) the Trustee
shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee,
being advised by counsel, shall determine that the action or proceeding so
directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board
of directors, its executive committee or a trust committee of directors or
Responsible Officers of the Trustee shall determine that the action or
proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or that
the actions or forbearances specified in or pursuant to such direction would be
unduly prejudicial to the interests of Holders of the Securities of all
affected series not joining in the giving of said direction, it being
understood that (subject to Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have no duty to
ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to
such Holders.

   Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee in its
discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not
inconsistent with such direction or directions by Securityholders.

   Section 5.10  Waiver of Past Defaults.  Prior to the declaration of
acceleration of the Maturity of any Securities as provided in Section 5.1, the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all
series at the time Outstanding with respect to which a default or an Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing (determined as provided herein
and voting as one class) may on behalf of the Holders of all such affected
Securities waive any past default or Event of Default described in Section 5.1
and its consequences, except a default or an Event of Default (i) in the
payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security of such
series,

                                     -44-
<PAGE>   54

or (ii) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof or of any Security which
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
Security affected.  In the case of any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and
the Holders of all such affected Securities shall be restored to their former
positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend
to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

   Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist and be deemed to
have been cured and not to have occurred, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, and not to have occurred for
every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent
thereon.

   Section 5.11  Trustee to Give Notice of Default, But May Withhold in Certain
Circumstances.  The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a
default with respect to the Securities of any series, give notice of all
defaults with respect to such series known to the Trustee (i) if any
Unregistered Securities of such series are then Outstanding, to the Holders
thereof by publication at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough
of Manhattan, The City of New York, and (ii) to all Holders of Securities of
such series in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 4.4(c), unless
in each case such defaults shall have been cured before the mailing or
publication of such notice (the term "default" for the purpose of this Article
being hereby defined to mean any event or condition which is, or with notice or
lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default); provided that, except
in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or the interest, if
any, on any of the Securities of such series, or in the payment of any sinking
fund installment or analogous payment on such series, the Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors,
the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or
Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the
withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders of such
series.

   Section 5.12  Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security or Coupon
by his or her acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court
may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or
remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant
in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such
court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including


                                     -45-

<PAGE>   55

reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due
regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such
party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit
instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder or
group of Securityholders of any series holding in the aggregate more than 10%
in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series, or, in the case
of any suit relating to or arising under clause (d) or (g) of section 5.1 (if
the suit relates to the Securities of more than one but less than all series),
10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding and
affected thereby, or, in the case of any suit relating to or arising under
clause (d) or (g) (if the suit relates to all the Securities then Outstanding),
10% in aggregate principal amount of all Securities then Outstanding, or to any
suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the
principal of or the interest (including interest evidenced by any Coupon) on
any Security on or after the due date expressed in such Security or Coupon or
any date fixed for redemption.

   Section 5.13  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.  The Issuer covenants (to
the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist
upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or
advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time
hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this
Indenture; and the Issuer (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby
expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it
will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to
the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as
though no such law had been enacted.


                                  ARTICLE SIX

                             CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE


   Section 6.1  Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default;
Prior to Default.  The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default
with respect to the Securities of a particular series and after the curing or
waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred with respect to such
series, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are
specifically set forth in this Indenture.  In case an Event of Default with
respect to the Securities of a particular series has occurred (which has not
been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise with respect to such series
such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same
degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a


                                     -46-
<PAGE>   56

prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his
own affairs.

   No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee
from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act
or its own wilful misconduct, except that

   (a)  prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the
  Securities of any series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events
  of Default which may have occurred with respect to such series:

     (i)  the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to the
   Securities of such series shall be determined solely by the express
   provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for
   the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth
   in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
   into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

     (ii)  in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee
   may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness
   of the opinions expressed therein, upon any statements, certificates or
   opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this
   Indenture; but in the case of any such statements, certificates or opinions
   which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to
   the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to
   determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

   (b)  the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good
  faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless
  it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertain-ing the
  pertinent facts; and

   (c)  the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or
  omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with an appropriate
  direction of the Holders pursuant to Section 5.9 relating to the time, method
  and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
  Trustee, or exercising any

                                     -47-
<PAGE>   57

  trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.

   None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee
to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability
in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights
or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that the
repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not
reasonably assured to it.

   Section 6.2  Certain Rights of the Trustee.  Subject to Section 6.1:

   (a)  the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
  from acting upon any resolution, Officers' Certificate or other certificate,
  statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order,
  bond, debenture, note, Coupon, security or other paper or document believed
  by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party
  or parties;

   (b)  any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein
  shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate (unless other
  evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any
  resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a
  copy thereof certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the
  Issuer;

   (c)  the Trustee may consult with counsel and any advice or any Opinion of
  Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of
  any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good
  faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

   (d)  the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts
  or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction
  of any of the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless
  such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against
  the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred therein or
  thereby;

   (e)  the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it
  in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the


                                     -48-
<PAGE>   58

  discretion, rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

   (f)  prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the
  Securities of any series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events
  of Default, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
  facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
  instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval,
  appraisal, bond, debenture, note, Coupon, security or other paper or document
  unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a
  majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all affected
  series then Outstanding; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable
  time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be
  incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the
  Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it
  by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity
  against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; the
  reasonable expenses of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuer
  or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuer upon demand; and

   (g)  the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
  perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
  attorneys not regularly in its employ, and the Trustee shall not be
  responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or
  attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

   Section 6.3  Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities
or Application of Proceeds Thereof.  The recitals contained herein and in the
Securities, except the Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken
as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for
the correctness of the same.  The Trustee makes no representation as to the
validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or Coupons,
other than as to the due execution and delivery of the Indenture by the
Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by
the Issuer of any of the Securities or of the proceeds thereof.

   Section 6.4  Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities or Coupons; Collections,
etc.  The Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, in its individual
or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities or Coupons
with the

                                     -49-
<PAGE>   59

same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent and, subject
to Sections 6.8 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Issuer and receive,
collect, hold and retain collections from the Issuer with the same rights it
would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent.

   Section 6.5  Moneys Held by Trustee.  Subject to the provisions of Section
10.4, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein
provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but
need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by
mandatory provisions of law.  Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer
or the Trustee shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received
by it hereunder.

   Section 6.6  Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior
Claim.  The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to
time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, reasonable compensation (which
shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a
trustee of an express trust), and the Issuer covenants and agrees to pay or
reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses,
disbursements and advances incurred or made by or on behalf of it in accordance
with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable
compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all
agents and other persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense,
disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith.  The
Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless
against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad
faith on the part of the Trustee arising out of or in connection with the
acceptance or administration of this Indenture or the trusts hereunder and the
Trustee's duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending
itself against or investigating any claim of liability in the premises.  The
obligations of the Issuer under this Section to compensate and indemnify the
Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and
advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive
the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.  Such additional indebtedness
shall not be deemed to be Subordinated Securities, as that term is defined in
Section 12.1, and shall be a senior claim to that of the Securities upon all
property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held
in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities or Coupons,
and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim.  When the
Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a default, the expenses are
intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law.

   Section 6.7  Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers' Certificate, etc.
Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever in

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<PAGE>   60

the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it
necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking
or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other
evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the
absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be
conclusively proved and established by an Officers' Certificate delivered to
the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on
the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture in
reliance thereon.

   Section 6.8  Qualification of Trustee; Conflicting Interests.  (a)  If the
Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as defined in this
Section, it shall, within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such
conflicting interest, and if the default (as defined in subsection (c) of this
Section) to which such conflicting interest relates has not been cured or duly
waived or otherwise eliminated before the end of such 90-day period, either
eliminate such conflicting interest or, except as otherwise provided in Section
6.10(e), resign in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article.

   (b)  In the event that the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions
of subsection (a) of this Section, the Trustee shall, within 10 days after the
expiration of such 90-day period, transmit by mail notice of such failure to
the Securityholders in the manner and to the extent required by Section 4.4(c)
and, if any Unregistered Securities are then Outstanding, shall publish notice
of such failure at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New York.  Subject to the provisions
of Section 5.12, unless the Trustee's duty to resign is stayed as provided in
Section 6.10(e), any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Securityholder for
at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly
situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the
Trustee, and the appointment of a successor, if the Trustee fails, after
written request thereof by such Securityholder, to comply with the provisions
of subsection (a) of this Section.

   (c)  For the purposes of this Section, the Trustee shall be deemed to have a
conflicting interest with respect to Securities of any series if such
Securities are in default (as such term is defined in this Indenture, but
exclusive of any period of grace or requirement of notice) and

   (i)  the Trustee is a trustee under another indenture under which any other
  securities, or certificates of interest or participation in any other
  securities, of the Issuer are outstanding, or is a

                                     -51-
<PAGE>   61

trustee for more than one outstanding series of securities under a single       
indenture of the Issuer, unless such other indenture is a collateral trust
indenture under which the only collateral consists of Securities issued under
this Indenture; provided that there shall be excluded from the operation of
this paragraph other series under this Indenture, and any other indenture or
indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest or
participation in other securities, of the Issuer are outstanding, if

   (1)  this Indenture and such other indenture or indentures (and all
series of securities issuable thereunder) are wholly unsecured and rank equally
and such other indenture or indentures (and such series) are specifically
described in this Indenture or hereafter qualified under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, unless the Commission shall have found and declared by order
pursuant to Section 305(b) or Section 307(c) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
that differences exist between the provisions of this Indenture (or such
series) and the provisions of such other indenture or indentures (or such
series) which are so likely to involve a material conflict of interest as to
make it necessary in the public interest or for the protection of investors to
disqualify the Trustee from acting as such under this Indenture and such other
indenture or indentures, or

   (2)  the Issuer shall have sustained the burden of proving, on
application to the Commission and after opportunity for hearing thereon, that
trusteeship under this Indenture and such other indenture or indentures or
under more than one outstanding series under a single indenture is not so
likely to involve a material conflict of interest as to make it necessary in
the public interest or for the protection of investors to disqualify such
Trustee from acting as such under one of such indentures or with respect to
such series;

   (ii)  the Trustee or any of its directors or executive officers is an
underwriter for the Issuer;

   (iii)  the Trustee directly or indirectly controls or is directly or
indirectly controlled by or is under direct or indirect common control with an
underwriter for the Issuer;

   (iv)  the Trustee or any of its directors or executive officers is a
director, officer, partner, employee, appointee or representative of the
Issuer, or



                                     -52-

<PAGE>   62

  of an underwriter (other than the Trustee itself) for the Issuer who is
  currently engaged in the business of underwriting, except that (x) one
  individual may be a director or an executive officer, or both, of the Trustee
  and a director or an executive officer, or both, of the Issuer, but may not
  be at the same time an executive officer of both the Trustee and the Issuer;
  (y) if and so long as the number of directors of the Trustee in office is
  more than nine, one additional individual may be a director or an executive
  officer, or both, of the Trustee and a director of the Issuer; and (z) the
  Trustee may be designated by the Issuer or by any underwriter for the Issuer
  to act in the capacity of transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying agent,
  fiscal agent, escrow agent or depositary, or in any other similar capacity,
  or, subject to the provisions of subsection (c)(i) of this Section, to act as
  trustee, whether under an indenture or otherwise;

   (v)  10% or more of the voting securities of the Trustee is beneficially
  owned either by the Issuer or by any director, partner or executive officer
  thereof, or 20% or more of such voting securities is beneficially owned,
  collectively, by any two or more of such persons; or 10% or more of the
  voting securities of the Trustee is beneficially owned either by an
  underwriter for the Issuer or by any director, partner or executive officer
  thereof, or is beneficially owned, collectively, by any two or more such
  persons;

   (vi)  the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral
  security for an obligation which is in default, (x) 5% or more of the voting
  securities, or 10% or more of any other class of security of the Issuer, not
  including the Securities issued under this Indenture and securities issued
  under any other indenture under which the Trustee is also trustee, or (y) 10%
  or more of any class of security of an underwriter for the Issuer;

   (vii) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral
  security for an obligation which is in default, 5% or more of the voting
  securities of any person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns 10% or
  more of the voting securities of, or controls directly or indirectly or is
  under direct or indirect common control with, the Issuer;

   (viii) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral
  security for an obligation which is in default, 10% or more of any class of
  security of any




                                     -53-
<PAGE>   63

  person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns 50% or more of the voting
  securities of the Issuer;

   (ix) the Trustee owns, on the date of default upon the Securities (as such
  term is defined in this Indenture but exclusive of any period of grace or
  requirement of notice) or any anniversary of such default while such default
  upon the Securities remains outstanding, in the capacity of executor,
  administrator, testamentary or inter vivos trustee, guardian, committee or
  conservator, or in any other similar capacity, an aggregate of 25% or more of
  the voting securities, or of any class of security, of any Person, the
  beneficial ownership of a specified percentage of which would have
  constituted a conflicting interest under clause (vi), (vii) or (viii) of this
  subsection.  As to any such securities of which the Trustee acquired
  ownership through becoming executor, administrator or testamentary trustee of
  an estate which included them, the provisions of the preceding sentence shall
  not apply, for a period of two years from the date of such acquisition, to
  the extent that such securities included in such estate do not exceed 25% of
  such voting securities or 25% of any such class of security.  Promptly after
  the dates of any such default upon the Securities and annually in each
  succeeding year that the Securities remain in default, the Trustee shall make
  a check of its holdings of such securities in any of the above-mentioned
  capacities as of such dates.  If the Issuer fails to make payment in full of
  principal of or interest on any of the Securities when and as the same
  becomes due and payable, and such failure continues for 30 days thereafter,
  the Trustee shall make a prompt check of its holdings of such securities in
  any of the above- mentioned capacities as of the date of the expiration of
  such 30-day period, and after such date, notwithstanding the foregoing
  provisions of this paragraph, all such securities so held by the Trustee,
  with sole or joint control over such securities vested in it, shall, but only
  so long as such failure shall continue, be considered as though beneficially
  owned by the Trustee for the purposes of clauses (vi), (vii) and (viii) of
  this subsection; or

   (x)  except under the circumstances described in subsections (1), (3), (4),
  (5) or (6) of Section 6.13(b), the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of
  the Issuer.

   The specification of percentages in clauses (v) to (ix), inclusive, of this
subsection shall not be construed as indicating that the ownership of such
percentages of the




                                     -54-
<PAGE>   64

securities of a person is or is not necessary or sufficient to constitute
direct or indirect control for the purposes of clauses (iii) or (vii) of this
subsection.

   For the purposes of clauses (vi), (vii), (viii) and (ix) of this subsection
only,

   (i)  the terms "security" and "securities" shall include only such
  securities as are generally known as corporate securities, but shall not
  include any note or other evidence of indebtedness issued to evidence an
  obligation to repay moneys lent to a person by one or more banks, trust
  companies or banking firms, or any certificate of interest or participation
  in any such note or evidence of indebtedness;

   (ii)  an obligation shall be deemed to be "in default" when a default in
  payment of principal shall have continued for 30 days or more and shall not
  have been cured; and

   (iii)  the Trustee shall not be deemed to be the owner or holder of (x) any
  security which it holds as collateral security, as trustee or otherwise, for
  an obligation which is not in default as defined in clause (ii) above, or (y)
  any security which it holds as collateral security under this Indenture,
  irrespective of any default hereunder, or (z) any security which it holds as
  agent for collection, or as custodian, escrow agent or depositary, or in any
  similar representative capacity.

   Except as provided above, the word "security" or "securities", as used in
this Section, shall mean any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture,
evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any
profit-sharing agreement, collateral trust certificate, preorganization
certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting
trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided
interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights or, in general, any interest or
instrument commonly known as a "security", or any certificate of interest or
participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee
of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.

   (d)  For purposes of this Section:

   (i)  the term "underwriter", when used with reference to the Issuer, shall
  mean every person who, within one year prior to the time as of which the
  determination is made, has purchased from the Issuer




                                     -55-
<PAGE>   65

  with a view to, or has offered or sold for the Issuer in connection with, the
  distribution of any security of the Issuer outstanding at such time, or has
  participated or has had a direct or indirect participation in any such
  undertaking, or has participated or has had a participation in the direct or
  indirect underwriting of any such undertaking, but such term shall not
  include a person whose interest was limited to a commission from an
  underwriter or dealer not in excess of the usual and customary distributors'
  or sellers' commission;

   (ii)  the term "director" shall mean any director of a corporation or any
  individual performing similar functions with respect to any organization,
  whether incorporated or unincorporated;

   (iii)  the term "person" shall mean an individual, a corporation, a
  partnership, an association, a joint-stock company, a trust, an
  unincorporated organization or a government or political subdivision thereof;
  as used in this clause, the term "trust" shall include only a trust where the
  interest or interests of the beneficiary or beneficiaries are evidenced by a
  security;

   (iv)  the term "voting security" shall mean any security presently entitling
  the owner or holder thereof to vote in the direction or management of the
  affairs of a person, or any security issued under or pursuant to any trust,
  agreement or arrangement whereby a trustee or trustees or agent or agents for
  the owner or holder of such security are presently entitled to vote in the
  direction or management of the affairs of a person;

   (v)  the term "Issuer" shall mean any obligor upon the Securities; and

   (vi)  the term "executive officer" shall mean the president, every vice
  president, every trust officer, the cashier, the secretary and the treasurer
  of a corporation, and any individual customarily performing similar functions
  with respect to any organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, but
  shall not include the chairman of the board of directors.

   (e)  The percentages of voting securities and other securities specified in
this Section shall be calculated in accordance with the following provisions:




                                     -56-
<PAGE>   66

   (i)  a specified percentage of the voting securities of the Trustee, the
  Issuer or any other person referred to in this Section (each of whom is
  referred to as a "person" in this subsection) means such amount of the
  outstanding voting securities of such person as entitles the holder or
  holders thereof to cast such specified percentage of the aggregate votes
  which the holders of all the outstanding voting securities of such person are
  entitled to cast in the direction or management of the affairs of such
  person;

   (ii)  a specified percentage of a class of securities of a person means such
  percentage of the aggregate amount of securities of the class outstanding;

   (iii)  the term "amount", when used in regard to securities, means the
  principal amount if relating to evidences of indebtedness, the number of
  shares if relating to capital shares and the number of units if relating to
  any other kind of security;

   (iv)  the term "outstanding" means issued and not held by or for the account
  of the issuer; the following securities shall not be deemed outstanding
  within the meaning of this definition:

     (A)  securities of an issuer held in a sinking fund relating to securities
   of the issuer of the same class;

     (B)  securities of an issuer held in a sinking fund relating to another
   class of securities of the issuer, if the obligation evidenced by such other
   class of securities is not in default as to principal or interest or
   otherwise;

     (C)  securities pledged by the issuer thereof as security for an
   obligation of the issuer not in default as to principal or interest or
   otherwise; and

     (D)  securities held in escrow if placed in escrow by the issuer thereof;

  provided that any voting securities of an issuer shall be deemed outstanding
  if any person other than the issuer is entitled to exercise the voting rights
  thereof; and




                                     -57-
<PAGE>   67

   (v)  a security shall be deemed to be of the same class as another security
  if both securities confer upon the holder or holders thereof substantially
  the same rights and privileges; provided that, in the case of secured
  evidences of indebtedness, all of which are issued under a single indenture,
  differences in the interest rates or maturity dates of various series thereof
  shall not be deemed sufficient to constitute such series different classes
  and provided, further, that, in the case of unsecured evidences of
  indebtedness, differences in the interest rates or maturity dates thereof
  shall not be deemed sufficient to constitute them securities of different
  classes, whether or not they are issued under a single indenture.

   Section 6.9  Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee.  There shall at
all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any State
thereof or the District of Columbia having a combined capital and surplus of at
least $5,000,000, and which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State or
District of Columbia authority.  Such corporation shall have its principal
place of business in The City of New York, if there be such a corporation in
such location willing to act upon reasonable and customary terms and
conditions.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising
or examining authority, then, for the purposes of this Section, the combined
capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined
capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
published.  In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10.

   Section 6.10  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee.
(a)  The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any
time resign and be discharged of the trusts created by this Indenture by giving
written notice of resignation to the Issuer and (i) if any Unregistered
Securities are then Outstanding, by giving notice of such resignation to the
Holders thereof by publication at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, (ii) if any Unregistered Securities
are then Outstanding, by mailing notice of such resignation to the Holders
thereof who have filed their names and addresses with the Trustee pursuant to
Section 4.4(c)(ii) at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee and
(iii) by mailing notice of such resignation to the Holders of the then
Outstanding Registered Securities at their




                                     -58-
<PAGE>   68

addresses as they shall appear on the Security registry books.  Upon receiving
such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor
trustee or trustees with respect to the applicable series by written
instrument, in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board of Directors, one
copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one
copy to the successor trustee or trustees.  If no successor trustee shall have
been so appointed with respect to any series and shall have accepted
appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the
resigning trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor trustee, or any Holder who has been a bona fide
Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months may,
subject to the provisions of Section 5.12, on behalf of such Holder and all
others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a
successor trustee.  Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it
may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

   (b)  In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

   (i)  the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.8
  after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Holder who has been a
  bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six
  months; or

   (ii)  the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
  provisions of Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request
  therefor by the Issuer or by any Holder; or

   (iii)  the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a
  bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver or liquidator of the Trustee or of its
  property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or
  control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
  rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

then, in any such case, the Issuer may remove the Trustee with respect to the
Securities of any or all series, as appropriate, and appoint a successor
trustee for such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order
of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to
the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee or trustees, or,
subject to the provisions of Section 5.12, any Holder who has been a bona fide
Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months may,
on behalf of such Holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee




                                     -59-
<PAGE>   69

and the appointment of a successor trustee.  Such court may thereupon, after
such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee
and appoint a successor trustee.

   (c)  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and
appoint a successor trustee by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the
successor trustee so appointed and to the Issuer the evidence provided for in
Section 7.1 of the action in that regard taken by the Holders.

   (d)  Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and any appointment of a
successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall
become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as
provided in Section 6.11.

   (e)  Except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of or
interest on any Security, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund
installment, the Trustee shall not be required to resign as provided by Section
6.8 if the Trustee shall have sustained the burden of proving, on application
to the Commission and after opportunity for hearing thereon, that:

   (i)  the default under this Indenture may be cured or waived during a
  reasonable period and under the procedures described in such application; and

   (ii)  a stay of the Trustee's duty to resign will not be inconsistent with
  the interests of the Securityholders.

   Section 6.11  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee.  Any successor
trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.10 shall execute, acknowledge and
deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting
such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without
any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all rights,
powers, trusts and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if
originally named as trustee hereunder; but, nevertheless, on the written
request of the Issuer or of the successor Trustee, upon payment of its charges
then unpaid, the trustee ceasing to act shall, subject to Section 10.4, pay
over and transfer to the successor Trustee all moneys and property at the time
held by it hereunder and shall execute, acknowledge and deliver an instrument
transferring to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers, trusts and
duties.  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Issuer shall execute
and acknowledge any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly
vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such money, property,
rights,




                                     -60-
<PAGE>   70

powers and trusts.  Any Trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a
prior claim upon all property or funds held or collected by such Trustee for
the benefit of such applicable series to secure any amounts then due it
pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6.

   No successor Trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section
unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified
under the provisions of Section 6.8 and eligible under the provisions of
Section 6.9.

   Upon acceptance of appointment by any successor Trustee as provided in this
Section, the Issuer shall give notice thereof (a) if any Unregistered
Securities are then Outstanding, to the Holders thereof by publication of such
notice at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, (b) if any Unregistered Securities are then Outstanding,
to the Holders thereof who have filed their names and addresses with the
Trustee pursuant to Section 4.4(c)(ii) by mailing such notice to such Holders
at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee (and the Trustee shall
make such information available to the Issuer for such purpose) and (c) to the
Holders of Registered Securities, by mailing such notice to such Holders at
their addresses as they shall appear on the Security registry books.  If the
acceptance of appointment is substantially contemporaneous with the
resignation, then the notice called for by the preceding sentence may be
combined with the notice called for by Section 6.10.  If the Issuer fails to
give such notice within 10 days after acceptance of appointment by the
successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be given at
the expense of the Issuer.

   Section 6.12  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of
Trustee.  Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any
merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or
any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Trustee,
shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation
shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 6.8 and eligible under the
provisions of Section 6.9, without the execution or filing of any paper or any
further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the
contrary notwithstanding.

   In case at the time of such succession to the Trustee any of the Securities
of any series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such
successor Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any
predecessor Trustee and deliver the Securities so authenticated; and, in case
at that time any of the Securities of any series shall not have been
authenticated, any successor Trustee may authenticate such




                                     -61-
<PAGE>   71

Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of
such successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificate of
authentication shall have the full force which is anywhere in the Securities of
such series or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of
authentication of the Trustee shall have; provided that the right to adopt the
certification of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities of any
series in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor
or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

   Section 6.13  Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer.  (a)
Subject to the provisions of this Section, if the Trustee shall be or shall
become a creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the Issuer
within three months prior to a default, as defined in subsection (c) of this
Section, or subsequent to such a default, then, unless and until such default
shall be cured, the Trustee shall set apart and hold in a special account for
the benefit of the Trustee individually, the Holders of the Securities and
Coupons and the holders of other indenture securities (as defined in such
subsection (c)):

   (1)  an amount equal to any and all reductions in the amount due and owing
  upon any claim as such creditor in respect of principal or interest, effected
  after the beginning of such three months' period and valid as against the
  Issuer and its other creditors, except any such reduction resulting from the
  receipt or disposition of any property described in clause (2) of this
  subsection, or from the exercise of any right of set-off which the Trustee
  could have exercised if a petition in bankruptcy had been filed by or against
  the Issuer upon the date of such default; and

   (2)  all property received by the Trustee in respect of any claim as such
  creditor, either as security therefor, or in satisfaction or composition
  thereof, or otherwise, after the beginning of such three months' period, or
  an amount equal to the proceeds of any such property if disposed of, subject,
  however, to the rights, if any, of the Issuer and its other creditors in such
  property or such proceeds.

   Nothing herein contained, however, shall affect the right of the Trustee:

   (A)  to retain for its own account (i) payments made on account of any such
  claim by any person (other than the Issuer) who is liable thereon, (ii) the
  proceeds of the bona fide sale of any such claim by the Trustee to a third
  person, and (iii) distributions made in cash, securities or other property in
  respect of




                                     -62-
<PAGE>   72


         claims filed against the Issuer in bankruptcy or receivership or in
         proceedings for reorganization pursuant to Title 11 of the United
         States Code or applicable state law;

                 (B)  to realize, for its own account, upon any property held
         by it as security for any such claim, if such property was so held
         prior to the beginning of such three months' period;

                 (C)  to realize, for its own account, but only to the extent
         of the claim hereinafter mentioned, upon any property held by it as
         security for any such claim, if such claim was created after the
         beginning of such three months' period and such property was received
         as security therefor simultaneously with the creation thereof, and if
         the Trustee shall sustain the burden of proving that at the time such
         property was so received the Trustee had no reasonable cause to
         believe that a default as defined in subsection (c) of this Section
         would occur within three months; or

                 (D)  to receive payment on any claim referred to in clause (B)
         or (C) of this subsection, against the release of any property held as
         security for such claim as provided in such clause (B) or (C), as the
         case may be, to the extent of the fair value of such property.

                 For the purposes of clauses (B), (C) and (D), property
substituted after the beginning of such three months period for property held
as security at the time of such substitution shall, to the extent of the fair
value of the property released, have the same status as the property released,
and, to the extent that any claim referred to in any of such clauses is created
in renewal of or in substitution for or for the purpose of repaying or
refunding any pre-existing claim of the Trustee as such creditor, such claim
shall have the same status as such pre-existing claim.

                 If the Trustee shall be required to account, the funds and
property held in such special account and the proceeds thereof shall be
apportioned among the Trustee, the Holders and the holders of other indenture
securities in such manner that the Trustee, the Holders and the holders of
other indenture securities realize, as a result of payments from such special
account and payments of dividends on claims filed against the Issuer in
bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to
Title 11 of the United States Code or applicable State law, the same percentage
of their respective claims, figured before crediting to the claim of the
Trustee anything on account of the receipt by it from the Issuer of the funds
and property in such special account and before crediting


                                     -63-
<PAGE>   73

to the respective claims of the Trustee, the Holders and the holders of other
indenture securities dividends on claims filed against the Issuer in bankruptcy
or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to Title 11 of
the United States Code or applicable State law, but after crediting thereon
receipts on account of the indebtedness represented by their respective claims
from all sources other than from such dividends and from the funds and property
so held in such special account.  As used in this paragraph with respect to any
claim, the term "dividends" shall include any distribution with respect to such
claim, in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization
pursuant to Title 11 of the United States Code or applicable State law, whether
such distribution is made in cash, securities or other property, but shall not
include any such distribution with respect to the secured portion, if any, of
such claim.  The court in which such bankruptcy, receivership or proceeding for
reorganization is pending shall have jurisdiction (i) to apportion among the
Trustee, the Holders and the holders of other indenture securities, in
accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, the funds and property held
in such special account and the proceeds thereof, or (ii) in lieu of such
apportionment, in whole or in part, to give to the provisions of this paragraph
due consideration in determining the fairness of the distributions to be made
to the Trustee, the Holders and the holders of other indenture securities with
respect to their respective claims, in which event it shall not be necessary to
liquidate or to appraise the value of any securities or other property held in
such special account or as security for any such claim, or to make a specific
allocation of such distributions as between the secured and unsecured portions
of such claims, or otherwise to apply the provisions of this paragraph as a
mathematical formula.

                 Any Trustee who has resigned or been removed after the
beginning of such three-months' period shall be subject to the provisions of
this subsection as though such resignation or removal had not occurred.  If any
Trustee has resigned or been removed prior to the beginning of such
three-months' period, it shall be subject to the provisions of this subsection
if and only if the following conditions exist:

                 (i)  the receipt of property or reduction of claim which would
         have given rise to the obligation to account, if such Trustee had
         continued as trustee, occurred after the beginning of such
         three-months' period; and

                 (ii)  such receipt of property or reduction of claim occurred
         within three months after such resignation or removal.



                                     -64-
<PAGE>   74

                 (b)  There shall be excluded from the operation of this
Section a creditor relationship arising from:

                 (1)  ownership or acquisition of securities issued under any
         indenture or any security or securities having a maturity of one year
         or more at the time of acquisition by the Trustee;

                 (2)  advances authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court
         of competent jurisdiction or by this Indenture for the purpose of
         preserving any property which shall at anytime be subject to the lien
         of this Indenture or of discharging tax liens or other prior liens or
         encumbrances thereon, if notice of such advance and of the
         circumstances surrounding the making thereof is given to the
         Securityholders at the time and in the manner provided in this
         Indenture;

                 (3)  disbursements made in the ordinary course of business in
         the capacity of trustee under an indenture, transfer agent, registrar,
         custodian, paying agent, fiscal agent or depositary, or other similar
         capacity;

                 (4)  an indebtedness created as a result of services rendered
         or premises rented or an indebtedness created as a result of goods or
         securities sold in a cash transaction as defined in subsection (c)(3)
         of this Section;

                 (5)  the ownership of stock or of other securities of a
         corporation organized under the provisions of Section 25(a) of the
         Federal Reserve Act, as amended, which is directly or indirectly a
         creditor of the Issuer; or

                 (6)  the acquisition, ownership, acceptance or negotiation of
         any drafts, bills of exchange, acceptances or obligations which fall 
         within the classification of self-liquidating paper as defined in 
         subsection (c)(4) of this Section.

                 (c)  As used in this Section:

                 (1)  the term "default" shall mean any failure to make payment
         in full of the principal of or interest upon any of the Securities or
         upon the other indenture securities when and as such principal or
         interest becomes due and payable;

                 (2)  the term "other indenture securities" shall mean
         securities upon which the Issuer is an obligor (as defined in the
         Trust Indenture Act of 1939) outstanding


                                     -65-

<PAGE>   75

         under any other indenture (i) under which the Trustee is also trustee,
         (ii) which contains provisions substantially similar to the provisions
         of subsection (a) of this Section and (iii) under which a default
         exists at the time of the apportionment of the funds and property held
         in said special account;

                 (3)  the term "cash transaction" shall mean any transaction in
         which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven
         days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in
         checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon
         demand;

                 (4)  the term "self-liquidating paper" shall mean any draft,
         bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn,
         negotiated or incurred by the Issuer for the purpose of financing the
         purchase, processing, manufacture, shipment, storage or sale of goods,
         wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing
         title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or
         merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of
         the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security,
         provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with
         the creation of the creditor relationship with the Issuer arising from
         the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of
         exchange, acceptance or obligation; and

                 (5)  the term "Issuer" shall mean any obligor upon the
                      Securities.

                 Section 6.14  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.  As long as
any Securities of a series remain Outstanding, the Trustee may, by an
instrument in writing, appoint with the approval of the Issuer an
authenticating agent (the "Authenticating Agent") which shall be authorized to
act on behalf of, but subject to the direction of, the Trustee to authenticate
and deliver Securities of such series, including Securities issued upon
exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or pursuant to Section
2.9.  Securities of such series so authenticated and delivered shall be
entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory
for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee.  Whenever reference is
made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities of any
series by the Trustee or to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such
reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of
the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent for such series and a certificate of
authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by such Authenticating Agent.
Such Authenticating Agent shall at



                                     -66-
<PAGE>   76

all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the
United States of America or of any State thereof or of the District of Columbia
authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000 (determined as provided in
Section 6.9 with respect to the Trustee) and subject to supervision or
examination by Federal or State authority.

                 Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be
merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation
resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which any
Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the
corporate agency or corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall
be the successor to such Authenticating Agent with respect to all series of
Securities for which it served as Authenticating Agent without the execution or
filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or such
Authenticating Agent.

                 Any Authenticating Agent may at any time, and if it shall
cease to be eligible hereunder shall, resign by giving written notice of
resignation to the Trustee and to the Issuer.  The Trustee may at any time
terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice
thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Issuer.  Upon receiving such a
notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall upon receipt of an Issuer Order
appoint a successor Authenticating Agent and shall provide notice of such
appointment to all Holders of Securities affected thereby in the manner and to
the extent provided in Section 6.11 with respect to the appointment of a
successor trustee.  Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its
appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers and duties of
its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an
Authenticating Agent.  The Authenticating Agent for the Securities of any
series shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as
such at the direction of the Trustee.

                 Sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.6 and 7.3 shall be applicable to any
Authenticating Agent.


                                 ARTICLE SEVEN

                         CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS


                 Section 7.1  Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders.  Any
request, demand, authorization, direction,




                                     -67-
<PAGE>   77

notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given
or taken by a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Holders
of one or more series of Securities may be evidenced (i) by one or more
instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage
of Holders in person or by an agent or proxy duly appointed in writing; and,
except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become
effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee;
(ii) by the record of such specified percentage of Holders voting in favor
thereof at any meeting of such Holders duly called and held by the Trustee; and
(iii) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of
a meeting.

                 Section 7.2  Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding
of Securities.  Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the execution of any
instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any
Person of any of the Securities of any series shall be sufficient if made in
the following manner:

                 (a)  The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of
         any instrument may be proved by the certificate of any notary public
         or other officer of any jurisdiction authorized to take
         acknowledgments of deeds or administer oaths that the Person executing
         such instrument acknowledged to him the execution thereof, or by an
         affidavit of a witness to such execution sworn to before any such
         notary or other such officer.  Where such execution is by or on behalf
         of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or
         affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of the authority of
         the Person executing the same.  The ownership of an Unregistered
         Security of any series, or of any Coupon attached thereto at its
         issuance, and the identifying number of such Security and the date of
         such ownership, may be proved by the production of such Security or
         Coupon or by a certificate executed by any trust company, bank, banker
         or recognized securities dealer, wherever situated, if such
         certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory.  Each
         such certificate shall be dated and shall state that on the date
         thereof a Security of such series bearing a specified identifying
         number was deposited with or exhibited to such trust company, bank,
         banker or recognized securities dealer by the person named in such
         certificate.  Any such certificate may be issued in respect of one or
         more Unregistered Securities of one or more series specified therein.
         The ownership by the Person named in any such certificate of any
         Unregistered Security specified therein shall be presumed to continue
         unless at the time of any determination of such ownership and holding


                                     -68-
<PAGE>   78

         (1) another certificate bearing a later date issued in respect of such
         Security shall be produced, (2) such Security shall be produced by
         some other Person or (3) such Security shall have ceased to be
         Outstanding.  Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the fact and date of
         the execution of any such instrument and the ownership, amount and
         numbers of any Unregistered Securities may also be proven in
         accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be
         prescribed by the Trustee for any series or in any other manner which
         the Trustee may deem sufficient.

                 (b)  In the case of Registered Securities, the ownership of
         such Securities shall be proved by the Security Register or by a
         certificate of the Security Registrar.

                 Section 7.3  Holders to Be Treated as Owners.  The Issuer, the
Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may deem and treat the
Person in whose name any Security of any series shall be registered upon the
Security Register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security
(whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation
of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of
or on account of the principal of and, subject to the provisions of Section 2.7
of this Indenture, interest, if any, on such Security and for all other
purposes; and none of the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or
the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.  The Issuer, the
Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may treat the Holder of any
Unregistered Security and the Holder of any Coupon as the absolute owner of
such Unregistered Security or Coupon (whether or not such Unregistered Security
or Coupon shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on
account thereof and for all other purposes; and none of the Issuer, the Trustee
and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to
the contrary.  All such payments so made to any such Person, or upon his order,
shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to
satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Security
or Coupon.

                 No holder of any beneficial interest in any Registered Global
Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this
Indenture with respect to such Registered Global Security, and such Depository
may be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee, and any agent of the Issuer or the
Trustee as the owner of such Registered Global Security for all purposes
whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall impair, as
between a Depository and such holders of beneficial interests, the operation of
customary practices governing the


                                     -69-
<PAGE>   79

exercise of the rights of the Depository as holder of any Security.

                 Section 7.4  Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not
Outstanding.  In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate
principal amount of Outstanding Securities of one or more series have concurred
in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Securities which are
owned by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to
which such determination is being made or by any Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with
the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such
determination is being made shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
Outstanding for the purposes of any such determination, except that for the
purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any
such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee knows are
so owned shall be so disregarded.  Securities so owned which have been pledged
in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the
satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such
Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon
such Securities or any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled
by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other
obligor on such Securities.  In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice
of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the
Trustee in accordance with such advice.  Upon request of the Trustee, the
Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers' Certificate listing
and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held
by or for the account of any of the above described Persons; and, subject to
Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers'
Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the
fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purposes of
any such determination.

                 Section 7.5  Right of Revocation of Action Taken.  At any time
prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section
7.1, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the requisite percentage in
aggregate principal amount of the Securities of one or more series, as the case
may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder
of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be
included among the serial numbers of the Securities the Holders of which have
consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the Corporate Trust
Office and upon proof of ownership as provided in Section 7.2, revoke such
action so far as concerns such Security.  Except as aforesaid, any such action
taken by the Holder of any Security of any series shall be conclusive and
binding upon such Holder and upon all


                                     -70-
<PAGE>   80

future Holders and owners of such Security and of any Securities of such series
issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer
thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made
upon any such Security.  Any action taken by the Holders of the requisite
percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of one or more
series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such
action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee and the
Holders of all the Securities of such series.


                                 ARTICLE EIGHT

                            SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES


                 Section 8.1  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of
Securityholders.  The Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of the Board of
Directors (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such
action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined
in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order), and the Trustee may, from
time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures
supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one
or more of the following purposes:

                 (a)  to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the
         Trustee as security for the Securities of one or more series any
         property or assets;

                 (b)  to evidence the succession of another corporation to the
         Issuer, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor
         corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Issuer
         pursuant to Article Nine;

                 (c)  to add to the covenants of the Issuer for the benefit of
         the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants
         are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities,
         stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for
         the benefit of such series) such further covenants, restrictions,
         conditions or provisions as the Issuer and the Trustee shall consider
         to be for the protection of the Holders of Securities of any series or
         Coupons appertaining thereto, and to make the occurrence, or the
         occurrence and continuance, of a default in complying with any such
         additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision an Event of
         Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several


                                     -71-
<PAGE>   81

         remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; in respect of
         any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision,
         such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of
         grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that
         allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate
         enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies
         available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit
         the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
         of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default;

                 (d)  to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any
         provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may
         be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein
         or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions as
         the Issuer may deem necessary or desirable, with respect to matters or
         questions arising under this Indenture, provided that no such action
         shall adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities
         of any series or the Coupons appertaining thereto;

                 (e)  to establish the form and terms of the Securities of any
         series or of the Coupons appertaining to such Securities, as permitted
         by Sections 2.1 and 2.3; and

                 (f)  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
         hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities and to
         add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be
         necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the
         trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, all as provided in Section
         6.11.

                 The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer in
the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further
appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to
accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property
or assets thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any
such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

                 Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of
this Section may be executed without the consent of the Holders of any of the
Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of
Section 8.2.


                                     -72-
<PAGE>   82

                 Section 8.2  Supplemental Indentures With Consent of
Securityholders.  With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article Seven) of
the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities of all series at the time Outstanding affected by such supplemental
indenture (voting as one class), the Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of
the Board of Directors (which resolution may provide general terms or
parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such
action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order),
and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture
or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of execution thereof) for
the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or
eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental
indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the
Securities of each such series or of the Coupons appertaining to such
Securities; provided that no such supplemental indenture shall (a) change the
time of payment of the principal, or any installment of the principal, of any
Security or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or change
the time of payment of interest, if any, thereon, or reduce any amount payable
on the redemption thereof, or make the principal thereof or the interest
thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in such
Security and the Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto or in accordance with
the terms thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue
Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the
Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1 or the amount thereof provable in
bankruptcy, pursuant to Section 5.2, or impair or affect the right to institute
suit for the payment thereof when due, or, if such Security shall so provide,
any right of repayment at the option of the Holder, in each case without the
consent of the Holder of each Security so affected, (b) reduce the percentage
in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the affected series, the
consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture or for
any waiver provided for in this Indenture, without the consent of the Holders
of each Security so affected or (c) without the consent of the Holders of each
Security so affected, modify any of the provisions of this Section or Section
5.10, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other
provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent
of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however,
that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with
respect to changes in the references to "the Trustee" and concomitant changes
in this Section, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the
requirements of Sections 6.11 and 8.1(f).


                                     -73-
<PAGE>   83

                 A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any
covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included
solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities, or which modifies
the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series or of the Coupons
appertaining to such Securities with respect to such covenant or provision,
shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of
Securities of any other series or of the Coupons pertaining to such Securities.

                 Upon the request of the Issuer, accompanied by a Board
Resolution complying with the first paragraph of this Section and evidence of
the consent of the Holders of the Securities as aforesaid and such other
documents, if any, as may be required by Section 7.1, the Trustee shall join
with the Issuer in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such
supplemental indenture affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities
under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its
discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental
indenture.

                 It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under
this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental
indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the
substance thereof.

                 Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Trustee of
any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the
Trustee shall give notice thereof (i) to the Holders of then Outstanding
Registered Securities of each series affected thereby, by mailing a notice
thereof by first-class mail to such Holders at their addresses as they shall
appear on the Security Register, (ii) if any Unregistered Securities of a
series affected thereby are then Outstanding, to the Holders thereof who have
filed their names and addresses with the Trustee pursuant to Section
4.4(c)(ii), by mailing a notice thereof by first-class mail to such Holders at
such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee and (iii) if any
Unregistered Securities of a series affected thereby are then Outstanding, to
all Holders thereof, by publication of a notice thereof at least once in an
Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and in
each case such notice shall set forth in general terms the substance of such
supplemental indenture.  Any failure of the Issuer to give such notice, or any
defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of
any such supplemental indenture.

                 Section 8.3  Effect of Supplemental Indenture.  Upon the
execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this
Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance
therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties
and immunities


                                     -74-

<PAGE>   84

under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of Securities
of each series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and
enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and
amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture
shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture
for any and all purposes.

                 Section 8.4  Documents to Be Given to Trustee.  The Trustee,
subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, may receive an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any
supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article complies with the
applicable provisions of this Indenture.

                 Section 8.5  Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental
Indentures.  Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the
execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this
Article may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for by such supplemental indenture.  If the Issuer or the Trustee
shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in
the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of
this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and
executed by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange
for the Securities of such series then Outstanding.


                                  ARTICLE NINE

                   CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE


                 Section 9.1  Covenant of Issuer Not to Merge, Consolidate,
Sell or Convey Property Except Under Certain Conditions.  Nothing contained in
this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent any consolidation of
the Issuer with, or merger of the Issuer into, any other corporation or
corporations (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer), or successive
consolidations or mergers to which the Issuer or its successor or successors
shall be a party or parties, shall prevent any sale, lease or conveyance of the
property of the Issuer as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, shall
prevent any consolidation of any Person with, or the merger of any Person into,
the Issuer or shall prevent any sale, lease or conveyance of the property of
any Person as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Issuer;
provided, that, and the Issuer hereby covenants and agrees, upon any such
consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, the due and punctual payment
of the principal of and interest, if any, on all the Securities, according to
their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all



                                     -75-
<PAGE>   85

of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed
by the Issuer, shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture
satisfactory in form to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by
the corporation formed by such consolidation, or into which the Issuer shall
have been merged, or which shall have acquired such property; provided,
further, that the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the
Issuer merged or the Person which acquired by conveyance or sale, or which
leases, the properties and assets of the Issuer as an entirety or substantially
as an entirety shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
provided, further, that immediately after giving effect to such transaction,
and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Issuer or a
Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the
Issuer or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default,
and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an
Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; provided, further, if,
as a result of any such consolidation or merger or such conveyance, transfer or
lease, properties or assets of the Issuer would become subject to a mortgage,
pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance which would not be
permitted by this Indenture, the Issuer or such successor corporation or
Person, as the case may be, shall take such steps as shall be necessary
effectively to secure the Securities equally and ratably with (or prior to) all
indebtedness secured thereby.

                 Section 9.2  Successor Corporation Substituted for Issuer.  In
case of any consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance referred to in,
and in accordance with, Section 9.1, and following such an assumption by the
successor corporation, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be
substituted for the Issuer, with the same effect as if it had been named herein
as Issuer.

                 Such successor corporation may cause to be signed, and may
issue either in its own name or in the name of the Issuer prior to such
succession, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore
shall not have been signed by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee; and,
upon the order of such successor corporation, instead of the Issuer, and
subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture
prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities
which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the
Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such
successor corporation thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the
Trustee for that purpose.  All of the Securities so issued shall in all
respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the
Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with


                                     -76-
<PAGE>   86

the terms of this indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at
the date of the execution hereof.

                 In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or
conveyance such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be
made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

                 In the event of any such sale or conveyance (other than a
conveyance by way of lease), the Issuer or any successor corporation which
shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in this Article
shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and
the Securities and may be liquidated and dissolved.

                 Section 9.3  Opinion of Counsel Delivered to Trustee.  The
Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, may receive an
Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger,
sale, lease or conveyance, and any such assumption, and any such liquidation or
dissolution, complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and that
all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have
been complied with.


                                  ARTICLE TEN

                    SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE;
                                UNCLAIMED MONEYS             


                 Section 10.1  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.  (A)
If at any time (a) the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid the
principal of and interest, if any, on all the Securities of each series
theretofore authenticated, including all Coupons appertaining thereto (other
than Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto which have been destroyed,
lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section
2.9), in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities or (b)
as to Securities and Coupons not so paid, the Issuer shall have delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of each series theretofore
authenticated and all Coupons appertaining thereto (other than any Securities
and Coupons appertaining thereto which shall have been destroyed, lost or
stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9)
or (c) as to Securities and Coupons not so paid or delivered for cancellation,
in the case of any series of Securities as to which the exact amount of
principal of and interest, if any, due can be determined at the time of making
the deposit referred to in clause (ii) below, (i) all the Securities of such
series and all Coupons appertaining thereto shall have become due and payable,
or are by their terms to become due and


                                     -77-
<PAGE>   87

payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year
under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of
redemption, and (ii) the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to
be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds money in an amount (other than
moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Issuer in accordance
with Section 10.4) or Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and
interest at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of
money, or a combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally
recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written
certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (A) the principal and
interest, if any, on all Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining
thereto on each date that such principal or interest, if any, is due and
payable and (B) any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments on the dates
on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this
Indenture and the Securities of such series; and if, in any such case, the
Issuer shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by
the Issuer then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as
to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities and of
Coupons appertaining thereto and the Issuer's right of optional redemption, if
any, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen
Securities or Coupons, (iii) the rights of Holders of Securities and Coupons
appertaining thereto to receive payments of principal thereof and interest, if
any, thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor or any date of
redemption (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of such Holders to
receive mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments, if any, (iv) the rights,
obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, (v) the rights of
Holders of Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto as beneficiaries hereof
with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee and payable to all
or any of them and (vi) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.2) and
the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein
provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have
been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute
proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture, provided that the rights of Holders of the Securities and Coupons to
receive amounts in respect of principal of and interest on the Securities and
Coupons held by them shall not be delayed longer than required by then
applicable mandatory rules or policies of any national securities exchange upon
which the Securities are listed.  The Issuer agrees to reimburse the Trustee
for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred and to
compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly
rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities.



                                     -78-
<PAGE>   88

                 (B)  The following provisions shall apply to the Securities of
each series unless specifically otherwise provided in the Board Resolution,
Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture relating thereto provided
pursuant to Section 2.3.  In addition to discharge of this Indenture pursuant
to the next preceding paragraph (A), in the case of any series of Securities as
to which the exact amount of principal of and interest, if any, due can be
determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a)
below, the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire
indebtedness on all the Securities of such series and the Coupons appertaining
thereto on the 91st day after the date of such deposit, and the provisions of
this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and Coupons
appertaining thereto shall no longer be in effect (except as to (i) rights of
registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series and of
Coupons appertaining thereto and the Issuer's right of optional redemption, if
any, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen
Securities or Coupons, (iii) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series
and Coupons appertaining thereto to receive payments of principal thereof and
interest, if any, thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor or any
date of redemption (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of such
Holders to receive mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments, if any, solely
from the trust fund referred to in subparagraph (a) below, (iv) the rights,
obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, (v) the rights of
Holders of Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto as
beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee
and payable to all or any of them and (vi) the obligations of the Issuer under
Section 3.2), and the Trustee, at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall, at
the Issuer's request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, if:

                 (a)  the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to
         be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as a trust fund specifically
         pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the
         Holders of the Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining
         thereto (i) money in an amount, or (ii) Government Obligations,
         maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such
         amounts as will insure the availability of money, or (iii) a
         combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally
         recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
         written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (A) the
         principal and interest, if any, on all Securities of such series and
         Coupons appertaining thereto on each date that such principal or
         interest, if any, is due and payable and (B) any mandatory sinking
         fund or analogous payments on the dates on which such payments are due
         and payable in accordance


                                     -79-
<PAGE>   89

         with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such series;

                 (b)  no Event of Default or event which, with notice or lapse
         of time or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the
         Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the
         date of such deposit or at any time during the period ending on the
         91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this
         condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such
         period);

                 (c)  such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation
         of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other
         material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by
         which it is bound;

                 (d)  such deposit shall not cause any Securities of such
         series then listed on any national securities exchange registered
         under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be delisted;

                 (e)  the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion
         of Counsel to the effect that (i) if such deposits shall include
         Government Obligations in respect of any government other than the
         United States of America, such deposit shall not result in the Issuer,
         the Trustee or such trust constituting an "investment company" under
         the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and (ii) (x) the
         Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal
         Revenue Service a ruling or (y) since the date of this Indenture,
         there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in
         either case to the effect that, and such opinion shall confirm that,
         the Holders of the Securities of such series then Outstanding and
         Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss
         for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit,
         defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on
         the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would
         have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not
         occurred; and

                 (f)  the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an
         Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
         conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance
         contemplated by this paragraph have been complied with.

                 (C)  The Issuer shall be released from its obligations under
Article Three and Article Nine with respect to the


                                     -80-
<PAGE>   90

Securities of a particular series and any Coupons appertaining thereto
Outstanding on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied
(hereinafter, "covenant defeasance").  Covenant defeasance means that, with
respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series, the Issuer may omit to
comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or
limitation set forth in Article Nine, whether directly or indirectly by reason
of any reference elsewhere herein to such Article by reason of any reference in
such Article to any other provision herein or by reason of any reference to
such Article in any other document, and such omission to comply shall not
constitute an Event of Default under Section 5.1 with respect to the
Outstanding Securities of such series, but the remainder of this Indenture and
other Outstanding Securities and Coupons shall be unaffected thereby.  The
following shall be the conditions to application of this paragraph (C):

                 (a)  the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to
         be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as a trust fund specifically
         pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the
         Holders of the Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining
         thereto, (i) money in an amount, or (ii) Government Obligations,
         maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such
         amounts as will insure the availability of money, or (iii) a
         combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally
         recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
         written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (A) the
         principal and interest, if any, on all Securities of such series and
         Coupons appertaining thereto on each date that such principal or
         interest, if any, is due and payable and (B) any mandatory sinking
         fund or analogous payments on the dates on which such payments are due
         and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the
         Securities of such series;

                 (b)  no Event of Default or event which, with notice or lapse
         of time or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the
         Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the
         date of such deposit or at any time during the period ending on the
         91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this
         condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such
         period);

                 (c)  such covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or
         violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any
         other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party
         or by which it is bound;



                                     -81-
<PAGE>   91


                 (d)  such covenant defeasance shall not cause any Securities
         of such series then listed on any national securities exchange
         registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to
         be delisted;

                 (e)  the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion
         of Counsel to the effect that (i) if such deposits shall include
         Government Obligations in respect of any government other than the
         United States of America, such deposit shall not result in the Issuer,
         the Trustee or such trust constituting an "investment company" under
         the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and (ii) the Holders
         of the Securities of such series then Outstanding and Coupons
         appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for
         Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance
         and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the
         same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
         covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

                 (f)  the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an
         Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
         conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such covenant
         defeasance have been complied with.

                 Section 10.2  Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for
Payment of Securities.  Subject to Section 10.4, all moneys or Government
Obligations deposited with the Trustee (or other trustee), and all money
received by the Trustee in respect of Government Obligations deposited with the
Trustee, pursuant to Section 10.1 in respect of the Outstanding Securities of a
particular series and the Coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust
and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent
(including the Issuer acting as its own paying agent), to the Holders of such
Securities and Coupons of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal
and interest, if any; but such money need not be segregated from other funds
except to the extent required by law.

                 Section 10.3  Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent.  In
connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect
to the Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under
the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities
shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and
thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with
respect to such moneys.

                 Section 10.4  Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying
Agent Unclaimed for Three Years.  Any moneys deposited


                                     -82-
<PAGE>   92

with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the
principal of or interest, if any, on any Security of any series or Coupons
appertaining thereto and not applied but remaining unclaimed for three years
after the date upon which such principal or interest shall have become due and
payable, shall, upon the written request of the Issuer and unless otherwise
required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or
unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Issuer by the Trustee or such paying
agent, and any Holder of the Securities of such series and of any Coupons
appertaining thereto shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions
of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look
only to the Issuer for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to
collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to
such moneys shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such
paying agent, before being required to make any such repayment with respect to
moneys deposited with it for any payment (a) in respect of Registered
Securities of any series, shall at the expense of the Issuer, mail by
first-class mail to Holders of such Securities at their addresses as they shall
appear on the Security Register for the Securities of such series, and (b) in
respect of Unregistered Securities of any series, shall at the expense of the
Issuer cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, notice that such moneys remain and that, after
a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of
such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then
remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.

                 Section 10.5  Indemnity for Government Obligations.  The
Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge
imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to
Section 10.1 or the principal or interest received in respect of such
Government Obligations, other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by
law is for the account of the Holders of the Securities and Coupons for whose
benefit such Government Obligations are held.



                                     -83-
<PAGE>   93

                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                   REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS


                 Section 11.1  Applicability of Article.  The provisions of
this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are
redeemable before their maturity or to any Securities of a series which have
the benefit of a sinking fund, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by
Section 2.3 for Securities of any series.

                 Section 11.2  Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions.
Notice of redemption to the Holders of Registered Securities of any series to
be redeemed as a whole or in part shall be given by mailing notice of such
redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more
than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, to such Holders at their
last addresses as they shall appear upon the registry books for such
Securities.  Notice of redemption to the Holders of Unregistered Securities of
any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part, who have filed their names and
addresses with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.4(c)(ii), shall be given by
mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at
least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption,
to such Holders at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee (and, in
the case of any such notice given by the Issuer, the Trustee shall make such
information available to the Issuer for such purpose).  Notice of redemption to
all other Holders of Unregistered Securities of any series shall be published
in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York,
in each case once in each of three successive calendar weeks, the first
publication to be not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date
fixed for redemption.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided
shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the
Holder receives the notice.  Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in
the notice to the Holder of any Security of any series designated for
redemption as a whole or in part, shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of any other Security of such series.

                 The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall specify (a)
the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such Holder to be
redeemed, (b) the date fixed for redemption, (c) the redemption price, (d) if
applicable, the current conversion price or rate, (e) if applicable, the name
and address of the Conversion Agent, (f) if applicable, that the right of the
Holder to convert Securities called for redemption shall terminate at the close
of business on the fifteenth day prior to the redemption date (or such other
day as may be specified as contemplated by Section 2.3 for Securities of any


                                     -84-
<PAGE>   94

series, (g) if applicable, that Holders who elect to convert Securities called
for redemption must satisfy the requirements for conversion contained in such
Securities, (h) the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon
presentation and surrender of such Securities and, in the case of Securities
with Coupons attached thereto, of all Coupons appertaining thereto maturing
after the date fixed for redemption, (i) that such redemption is pursuant to
the mandatory or optional sinking or other analogous fund, or both, if such be
the case, (j) that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be
paid as specified in such notice and (k) that on and after said date interest
thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue.  In
case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption
shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and
shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of
such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in authorized
denominations for an aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion
thereof will be issued.

                 The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be
redeemed at the option of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the
Issuer's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer.

                 On or before the redemption date specified in the notice of
redemption given as provided in this Section, the Issuer will deposit with the
Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Issuer is acting as its
own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section
3.4) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the
Securities of any series so called for redemption at the applicable redemption
price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption.  The
Issuer will deliver to the Trustee at least 60 days prior to the date fixed for
redemption an Officers' Certificate stating such date, the aggregate principal
amount of Securities of each series to be redeemed and that no Events of
Default with respect to the Securities of such series have occurred (which have
not been waived or cured).  In case of a redemption at the option of the Issuer
prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption, the Issuer shall
deliver to the Trustee, prior to the giving of any notice of redemption to
Holders pursuant to this Section, an Officers' Certificate stating that such
restriction has been complied with.  If less than all the Securities of any
series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as it shall
deem appropriate and fair, Securities of such series to be redeemed in whole or
in part.  Securities may be redeemed in part in multiples equal to the minimum
authorized denomination for Securities of such series or any multiple thereof.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities of
such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any


                                     -85-
<PAGE>   95

Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount
thereof to be redeemed.  For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context
otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities of
any series shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed
only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has
been or is to be redeemed.

                 Section 11.3  Payment of Securities Called for Redemption.  If
notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 11.2, the Securities
or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable
on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption
price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on
and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such
Securities at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued
to said date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called
for redemption shall cease to accrue, the unmatured Coupons, if any,
appertaining thereto shall be void and, except as provided in Sections 6.5 and
10.4, such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption
to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the Holders
thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to
receive the applicable redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date
fixed for redemption and the right to convert such Securities, if such
Securities are convertible.  On presentation and surrender of such Securities
at a place of payment specified in said notice, together with all Coupons, if
any, appertaining thereto maturing after the date fixed for redemption, such
Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the
Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued
thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided that payment of interest
becoming due on or prior to the date fixed for redemption shall be payable, in
the case of Securities with Coupons attached thereto, to the Holders of the
Coupons for such interest upon surrender thereof or, in the case of Registered
Securities, to the Holders of such Registered Securities registered as such on
the relevant Record Date, subject to the terms and provisions of Sections 2.3
and 2.7.

                 If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid
upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly
provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of
interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount
Security) borne by such Security.

                 If any Security with Coupons attached thereto is surrendered
for redemption and is not accompanied by all appurtenant Coupons maturing after
the date fixed for redemption,


                                     -86-
<PAGE>   96

the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Issuer and
the Trustee, if there be furnished to each of them such security or indemnity
as they may require to save each of them harmless.

                 Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the
Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on
the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Security
or Securities of such series, of authorized denominations, in principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

                 Section 11.4  Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility
for Selection for Redemption.  Securities shall be excluded from eligibility
for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and
certificate number in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee at
least 60 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given
as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated
by either (a) the Issuer or (b) an entity specifically identified in such
Officers' Certificate as an Affiliate of the Issuer.

                 Section 11.5  Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds.  The
minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the
Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund
payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the
terms of the Securities of any series is herein referred to as an "optional
sinking fund payment".  The date on which a sinking fund payment is to be made
is herein referred to as the "sinking fund payment date".

                 In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking
fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Issuer may
at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of such series theretofore
purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the
mandatory sinking fund) by the Issuer or receive credit for Securities of such
series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired
(except as aforesaid) by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10, (b) receive credit for optional sinking
fund payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section or (c)
receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited)
redeemed by the Issuer through any optional redemption provision contained in
the terms of such series.  Securities so delivered or credited shall be
received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price
specified in such Securities.


                                     -87-
<PAGE>   97

                 On or before the 60th day next preceding each sinking fund
payment date for any series, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate (which need not contain the statements required by
Section 14.5) (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment
due on such date to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion to be
satisfied by credit of Securities of such series and the basis for such credit,
(b) stating that none of the Securities of such series to be so credited has
theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of
interest or Events of Default with respect to such series have occurred and are
continuing (which have not been waived or cured) and (d) stating whether or not
the Issuer intends to exercise its right to make an optional sinking fund
payment on such date with respect to such series and, if so, specifying the
amount of such optional sinking fund payment which the Issuer intends to pay on
or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date.  Any Securities of
such series to be so credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in
order for the Issuer to be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have
not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for
cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10 to the Trustee with such Officers'
Certificate (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee).
Such Officers' Certificate shall be irrevocable, and upon its receipt by the
Trustee the Issuer shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash
payments or other deliveries therein referred to, if any, on or before the next
succeeding sinking fund payment date.  Failure of the Issuer, on or before any
such 60th day, to deliver such Officers' Certificate and securities specified
in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute,
on and as of such 60th day, the irrevocable election of the Issuer that (i) the
mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding
sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to
deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) the
Issuer will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series
on such date as provided in this Section.

                 If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional
or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date
plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash
shall exceed $50,000 and if the Issuer shall so request with respect to the
Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next
succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such
series at the applicable sinking fund redemption price, together with accrued
interest to the date fixed for redemption.  If such amount shall be $50,000 or
less and the Issuer makes no such request, then such amount shall be carried
over until a sum in excess of $50,000 is available.  The Trustee shall select,
in the manner provided in Section 11.2, for redemption on such sinking fund
payment date a sufficient


                                     -88-
<PAGE>   98

principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as
may be, and shall (if requested in writing by the Issuer) inform the Issuer of
the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) so
selected.  Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for redemption under
this Section if they are identified by registration and certificate number in
an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the
sinking fund payment date as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not
pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Issuer or (b) an entity specifically
identified in such Officers' Certificate as an Affiliate of the Issuer.  The
Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer (or the Issuer, if it
shall so request the Trustee in writing), shall cause notice of redemption of
the Securities of such series to be given in substantially the manner provided
in Section 11.2 (and with the effect provided in Section 11.3) for the
redemption of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Issuer.
The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated to the
redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking
fund payment for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied
in accordance with the provisions of this Section.  Any and all sinking fund
moneys held on the stated maturity date of the Securities of a particular
series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for
the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series, shall be
applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose,
to the payment of the principal of and interest on the Securities of such
series at maturity.

                 Unless otherwise provided for, on or before each sinking fund
payment date, the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise
provide for the payment of all interest accrued to the date fixed for
redemption on Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date.

                 The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed
Securities of any series with sinking fund moneys or give any notice of
redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund for
such series during the continuance of any Event of Default with respect to such
series except that, if notice of redemption of any Securities of such series
shall theretofore have been given, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be
redeemed such Securities, provided that the Trustee or one or more paying
agents shall have received from the Issuer a sum sufficient for such
redemption.  Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such
series at the time when any such Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys
thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such
Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article Five and held
for the payment of all Securities of such series.  In case


                                     -89-
<PAGE>   99

such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 5.10 or
such Event of Default cured on or before the 60th day preceding any sinking
fund payment date, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next
succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section to the
redemption of Securities of such series.

                 Section 11.6  Conversion Arrangement on Call for Redemption.
In connection with any redemption of Convertible Securities, the Issuer may
arrange for the purchase and conversion of any such Securities called for
redemption by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other
purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Trustee in trust for
the Holders of such Securities, on or before the close of business on the
redemption date, an amount in cash not less than the redemption price, together
with interest, if any, accrued to the redemption date, of such Securities.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article Eleven, the
obligation of the Issuer to pay the redemption price of such Securities,
including all accrued interest, if any, shall be deemed to be satisfied and
discharged to the extent such amount is so paid by such purchasers.  If such an
agreement is entered into, any such Securities not duly surrendered for
conversion by the Holders thereof may, at the option of the Issuer, be deemed,
to the fullest extent permitted by law, acquired by such purchasers from such
Holders and (notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Article
Thirteen) surrendered by such purchasers for conversion, all as of immediately
prior to the close of business on the last day on which Securities of such
series called for redemption may be converted in accordance with this Indenture
and the terms of such Securities, subject to payment of the above amount as
aforesaid.  The Trustee shall hold and pay to the Holders whose Securities are
selected for redemption any such amount paid to it in the same manner as it
would moneys deposited with it by the Issuer for the redemption of Securities.
Without the Trustee's prior written consent, no arrangement between the Issuer
and such purchasers for the purchase and conversion of any Securities shall
increase or otherwise affect any of the powers, duties, responsibilities or
obligations of the Trustee as set forth in this Indenture, and the Issuer
agrees to indemnify the Trustee from, and hold it harmless against, any loss,
liability or expense arising out of or in connection with any such arrangement
for the purchase and conversion of any Securities between the Issuer and such
purchasers, including the costs and expenses incurred by the Trustee in the
defense of any claim or liability arising out of or in connection with the
exercise or performance of any of its powers, duties, responsibilities or
obligations under this Indenture.


                                     -90-
<PAGE>   100

                                 ARTICLE TWELVE

                                 SUBORDINATION


                 Section 12.1  Applicability of Article; Securities
Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness.  (a)  This Article Twelve shall apply only
to the Securities of any series which, pursuant to Section 2.3, are expressly
made subject to this Article.  Such Securities are referred to in this Article
Twelve as "Subordinated Securities."

                 (b)  The Issuer covenants and agrees, and each Holder of
Subordinated Securities by his acceptance thereof likewise covenants and
agrees, that the indebtedness represented by the Subordinated Securities and
the payment of the principal and interest, if any, on the Subordinated
Securities is subordinated and subject in right, to the extent and in the
manner provided in this Article, to the prior payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness.

                 "Senior InDebtedness" means the principal of and premium, if
any, and interest on the following, whether outstanding on the date hereof or
thereafter incurred, created or assumed:  (i) indebtedness of the Issuer for
money borrowed by the Issuer (including purchase money obligations or evidenced
by debentures (other than the Subordinated Securities), notes, bankers'
acceptances or other corporate debt securities, or similar instruments issued
by the Issuer; (ii) obligations with respect to letters of credit; (iii) all
indebtedness of others of the type referred to in the preceding clauses (i) and
(ii) assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by the Issuer or in effect
guaranteed by the Issuer; or (iv) renewals, extensions or refundings of any of
the indebtedness referred to in the preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)
unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, renewal, extension or
refunding, under the express provisions of the instrument creating or
evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee of the same, or pursuant to
which the same is outstanding such indebtedness or such renewal, extension or
refunding thereof is not superior in right of payment to the Subordinated
Securities.

                 This Article shall constitute a continuing obligation to all
Persons who, in reliance upon such provisions become holders of, or continue to
hold, Senior Indebtedness, and such provisions are made for the benefit of the
holders of Senior Indebtedness, and such holders are made obligees hereunder
and they and/or each of them may enforce such provisions.



                                     -91-
<PAGE>   101

                 Section 12.2  Issuer Not to Make Payments with Respect to
Subordinated Securities in Certain Circumstances.  (a)  Upon the maturity of
any Senior Indebtedness by lapse of time, acceleration or otherwise, all
principal thereof and interest thereon shall first be paid in full, or such
payment duly provided for in cash in a manner satisfactory to the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment is made on account of the
principal of or interest on  Subordinated Securities or to acquire any
Subordinated Securities or on account of any sinking fund provisions of any
Subordinated Securities (except payments made in capital stock of the Issuer or
in warrants, rights or options to purchase or acquire capital stock of the
Issuer, sinking fund payments made in Subordinated Securities acquired by the
Issuer before the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness, and payments made
through the exchange of other debt obligations of the Issuer for such
Subordinated Securities in accordance with the terms of such Subordinated
Securities, provided that such debt obligations are subordinated to Senior
Indebtedness at least to the extent that the Subordinated Securities for which
they are exchanged are so subordinated pursuant to this Article Twelve).

                 (b)  Upon the happening and during the continuation of any
default in payment of the principal of or interest on any Senior Indebtedness
when the same becomes due and payable or in the event any judicial proceeding
shall be pending with respect to any such default, then, unless and until such
default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no
payment shall be made by the Issuer with respect to the principal of or
interest on Subordinated Securities or to acquire any Subordinated Securities
or on account of any sinking fund provisions of Subordinated Securities (except
payments made in capital stock of the Issuer or in warrants, rights, or options
to purchase or acquire capital stock of the Issuer, sinking fund payments made
in Subordinated Securities acquired by the Issuer before such default and
notice thereof, and payments made through the exchange of other debt
obligations of the Issuer for such Subordinated Securities in accordance with
the terms of such Subordinated Securities, provided that such debt obligations
are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness at least to the extent that the
Subordinated Securities for which they are exchanged are so subordinated
pursuant to this Article Twelve).

                 (c) In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 12.2, the Issuer shall make any payment to the Trustee on account of
the principal of or interest on Subordinated Securities, or on account of any
sinking fund provisions of such Securities, after the maturity of any Senior
Indebtedness as described in Section 12.2(a) above or after the happening of a
default in payment of the principal of or interest on any Senior Indebtedness
as described in Section 12.2(b) above, then, unless and until all Senior
Indebtedness which shall have matured, and all interest thereon, shall have
been paid in full


                                     -92-
<PAGE>   102

(or the declaration of acceleration thereof shall have been rescinded or
annulled), or such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased
to exist, such payment (subject to the provisions of Sections 12.6 and 12.7)
shall be held by the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid
forthwith over and delivered to, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (pro
rata as to each of such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of
Senior Indebtedness held by them) or their representative or the trustee under
the indenture or other agreement (if any) pursuant to which such Senior
Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear,
for application to the payment of all such Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid
to the extent necessary to pay the same in full in accordance with its terms,
after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the
holders of Senior Indebtedness.  The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to
the Trustee of any default in the payment of principal of or interest on any
Senior Indebtedness.

                 Section 12.3  Subordinated Securities Subordinated to Prior
Payment of All Senior Indebtedness on Dissolution, Liquidation or
Reorganization of Issuer.  Upon any distribution of assets of the Issuer in any
dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Issuer (whether
voluntary or involuntary, in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceedings
or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise):

                 (a)  the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall first be
         entitled to receive payments in full of the principal thereof and
         interest due thereon, or provision shall be made for such payment,
         before the Holders of Subordinated Securities are entitled to receive
         any payment on account of the principal of or interest on such
         Securities;

                 (b)  any payment or distribution of assets of the Issuer of
         any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other
         than securities of the Issuer as reorganized or readjusted or
         securities of the Issuer or any other corporation provided for by a
         plan or reorganization or readjustment the payment of which is
         subordinate, at least to the extent provided in this Article Twelve
         with respect to Subordinated Securities, to the payment in full
         without diminution or modification by such plan of all Senior
         Indebtedness), to which the Holders of Subordinated Securities or the
         Trustee on behalf of the Holders of Subordinated Securities would be
         entitled except for the provisions of this Article Twelve shall be
         paid or delivered by the liquidating trustee or agent or other person
         making such payment or distribution directly to



                                     -93-
<PAGE>   103





         the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative, or to the
         trustee under any indenture under which Senior Indebtedness may have
         been issued (pro rata as to each such holder, representative or
         trustee on the basis of the respective amounts of unpaid Senior
         Indebtedness held or represented by each), to the extent necessary to
         make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid,
         after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution or
         provision thereof to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness; and

                 (c) in the event that notwithstanding the foregoing provisions
         of this Section 12.3, any payment or distribution of assets of the
         Issuer of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or
         securities (other than securities of the Issuer as reorganized or
         readjusted or securities of the Issuer or any other corporation
         provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the payment
         of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in this
         Article Twelve with respect to Subordinated Securities, to the payment
         in full without diminution or modification by such plan of all Senior
         Indebtedness), shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the
         Subordinated Securities on account of principal of or interest on the
         Subordinated Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in
         full, or effective provision made for its payment, such payment or
         distribution (subject to the provisions of Section 12.6 and 12.7)
         shall be received and held in trust for and shall be paid over to the
         holders of the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid or unprovided for
         or their representative, or to the trustee under any indenture under
         which such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued (pro rata as
         provided in subsection (b) above), for application to the payment of
         such Senior Indebtedness until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have
         been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
         distribution or provision therefor to the holders of such Senior
         Indebtedness.

                 The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of
any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Issuer.

                 Section 12.4  Holders of Subordinated Securities to be
Subrogated to Right of Holders of Senior Indebtedness.  Subject to the payment
in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of Subordinated Securities
shall be subrogated equally and ratably to the rights of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of assets of the Issuer
applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until all amounts owing on Subordinated
Securities shall be paid in full, and for the purposes of such

                                     -94-
<PAGE>   104

subrogation no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness by or on behalf of the Issuer or by or on behalf of the Holders of
Subordinated Securities by virtue of this Article Twelve which otherwise would
have been made to the Holders of Subordinated Securities shall, as between the
Issuer, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders
of Subordinated Securities, be deemed to be payment by the Issuer to or on
account of the Senior Indebtedness, it being understood that the provisions of
this Article Twelve are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the
relative rights of the Holders of the Subordinated Securities, on the one hand,
and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

                 Section 12.5  Obligation of the Issuer Unconditional.  Nothing
contained in this Article Twelve or elsewhere in this Indenture or in any
Subordinated Security is intended to or shall impair, as among the Issuer, its
creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of
Subordinated Securities, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay to the Holders of Subordinated Securities the principal
of and interest on Subordinated Securities as and when the same shall become
due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall
affect the relative rights of the Holders of Subordinated Securities and
creditors of the Issuer other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor
shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any
Subordinated Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by
applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if
any, under this Article Twelve of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect
of cash, property or securities of the Issuer received upon the exercise of any
such remedy.  Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Issuer referred
to in this Article Twelve, the Trustee and Holders of Subordinated Securities
shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of
competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or
reorganization proceedings are pending, or, subject to the provisions of
Section 6.1 and 6.2, a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy,
liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or
distribution to the Trustee or the Holders of  Subordinated Securities, for the
purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such
distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of
the Issuer, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid
or distributed therein and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article
Twelve.

                 Nothing contained in this Article Twelve or elsewhere in this
Indenture or in any Subordinated Security is intended to or shall affect the
obligation of the Issuer to make, or prevent the Issuer from making, at any
time except during the pendency of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or
reorganization

                                     -95-
<PAGE>   105

proceeding, and, except as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 12.2,
payments at any time of the principal of or interest on Subordinated
Securities.

                 Section 12.6  Trustee Entitled to Assume Payments Not
Prohibited in Absence of Notice.  The Issuer shall give prompt written notice
to the Trustee of any fact known to the Issuer which would prohibit the making
of any payment or distribution to or by the Trustee in respect of the
Subordinated Securities.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article Twelve
or any provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not at any time be
charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the
making of any payment or distribution to or by the Trustee, unless at least two
Business Days prior to the making of any such payment, the Trustee shall have
received written notice thereof from the Issuer or from one or more holders of
Senior Indebtedness or from any representative thereof or from any trustee
therefor, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of
Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such representative or trustee; and,
prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the
provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall be entitled to assume conclusively
that no such facts exist.  The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the
delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a
holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a representative or trustee on behalf of the
holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior
Indebtedness (or a representative of or trustee on behalf of any such holder).
In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that further evidence
is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior
Indebtedness to participate in any payments or distribution pursuant of this
Article Twelve, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness
held by such Person, as to the extent to which such Person is entitled to
participate in such payment or distribution, and as to other facts pertinent to
the rights of such Person under this Article Twelve, and if such evidence is
not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending
judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.
The Trustee, however, shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in this Article Twelve shall apply
to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6.

              Section 12.7  Application by Trustee of Monies or





                                       -96-
<PAGE>   106

Government Obligations Deposited with It.  Money or Government obligations
deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Section
10.1 shall be for the sole benefit of Securityholders and, to the extent
allocated for the payment of Subordinated Securities, shall not be subject to
the subordination provisions of this Article Twelve, if the same are deposited
in trust prior to the happening of any event specified in Section 12.2.
Otherwise, any deposit of monies or Government Obligations by the Issuer with
the Trustee or any paying agent (whether or not in trust) for the payment of
the principal of or interest on any Subordinated Securities shall be subject to
the provisions of Section 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 except that, if prior to the date
on which by the terms of this Indenture any such monies may become payable for
any purposes (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of or
the interest, if any, on any Subordinated Security) the Trustee shall not have
received with respect to such monies the notice provided for in Section 12.6,
then the Trustee or the paying agent shall have full power and authority to
receive such monies and Government Obligations and to apply the same to the
purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice
to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such date.  This
Section 12.7 shall be construed solely for the benefit of the Trustee and
paying agent and, as to the first sentence hereof, the Securityholders, and
shall not otherwise effect the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness.

                 Section 12.8  Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or
Omissions of Issuer or Holders of Senior Indebtedness.  No rights of any
present or future holders of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination
as provided herein shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by
any act or failure to act on the part of the Issuer or by any act or failure to
act, in good faith, by any such holders or by any noncompliance by the Issuer
with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any
such holder may have or be otherwise charged with.

                 Section 12.9  Securityholders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate
Subordination of Securities.  Each Holder of Subordinated Securities by his
acceptance thereof authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on his behalf
to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the
subordination provided in this Article Twelve and appoints the Trustee his
attorney-in-fact for such purpose, including in the event of any dissolution,
winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Issuer (whether in bankruptcy,
insolvency or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of
creditors or otherwise) the immediate filing of a claim for the unpaid balance
of his Subordinated Securities in the form required in said proceedings and
causing said claim to be approved.  If the Trustee does not file a proper claim
or proof





                                     -97-
<PAGE>   107

of debt in the form required in such proceeding prior to 30 days before the
expiration of the time to file such claim or claims, then the holders of Senior
Indebtedness have the right to file and are hereby authorized to file an
appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders of said Securities.

                 Section 12.10  Right of Trustee to Hold Senior Indebtedness.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all of the rights
set forth in this Article Twelve in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any
time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness,
and nothing in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any
of its rights as such holder.

                 Section 12.11  Article Twelve Not to Prevent Events of
Defaults.  The failure to make a payment on account of principal or interest by
reason of any provision in this Article Twelve shall not be construed as
preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 5.1.


                                ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                                   CONVERSION


                 Section 13.1  Applicability of Article.  Securities of any
series which are convertible into Common Stock at the option of the Holder
shall be convertible in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 2.3 for Securities of the series) in
accordance with this Article.  Each reference in this Article to "a Security"
or "the Securities" refers to the Securities of the particular series that is
convertible into Common Stock. If more than one series of Securities with
conversion privileges are outstanding at any time, the provisions of this
Article shall be applied separately to each such series.

                 Section 13.2  Conversion Privilege.  A Holder of a Security of
any authorized denomination of any series may convert such Security at the
principal amount thereof, or of such portion thereof, into fully paid and
non-assessable shares of Common Stock, at any time during the period specified
on the Securities of that series, at the conversion price or conversion rate in
effect on the conversion date, except that, with respect to any Security (or
portion thereof) called for redemption, such conversion right shall (except as
otherwise provided in Section 11.6) terminate at the close of business on the
fifteenth day prior to the date fixed for redemption of such Security (or
portion thereof) (or such other day as may be specified as contemplated by
Section 2.3 for Securities of such series),





                                     -98-
<PAGE>   108

unless the Issuer shall default in payment of the amount due upon redemption
thereof.

                 The initial conversion price or conversion rate in respect of
a series of Securities shall be as specified on the Securities of that series.
The conversion price or conversion rate will be subject to adjustment on the
terms set forth in Section 13.7 through 13.13 or such other or different terms,
if any, as may be specified as contemplated by Section 2.3 for Securities of
such series.

                 A Holder may convert any Security in full and may convert a
portion of a Security if the portion to be converted and the remaining portion
of such Security are in denominations issuable for that series of Securities.
Provisions of this Indenture that apply to conversion of all of a Security also
apply to conversion of a portion of it.

                 Section 13.3  Conversion Procedure.  To convert a Security of
any series, a Holder must surrender such Security, duly endorsed or assigned to
the Issuer or in blank, at any office or agency of the Issuer maintained for
that purpose, accompanied by written notice to the Issuer at such office or
agency that the Holder elects to covert such Security or, if less than the
entire principal amount thereof is to be converted, the portion thereof to be
converted.  The date on which the Holder satisfies all those requirements is
the conversion date.  As soon as practicable after the conversion date, the
Issuer shall deliver to the Holder through the Conversion Agent a certificate
for the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion and cash
or its check in lieu of any fractional share.  The Person in whose name the
certificate is registered becomes a stockholder of record on the conversion
date and the rights of the Holder of the Securities so converted as a Holder
thereof cease as of such date.

                 If the Holder converts more than one Security of any series at
the same time, the number of full shares issuable upon the conversion shall be
based on the total principal amount of the Securities of such series so
converted.

                 Upon surrender of a Security of any series that is converted
in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of that
series equal in principal amount to the unconverted portion of the Security
surrendered.

                 If the last day on which a Security may be converted is not a
Business Day in a place where a Conversion Agent is located, the Security may
be surrendered to that Conversion Agent on the next succeeding day that is a
Business Day.





                                     -99-
<PAGE>   109


                 The Issuer will not be required to deliver certificates for
shares of Common Stock upon conversion while its stock transfer books are
closed for a meeting of stockholders or for the payment of dividends or for any
other purpose, but certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered
as soon as the stock transfer books shall again be opened.

                 Securities of any series surrendered for conversion during the
period from the close of business on any Record Date next preceding any
Interest Payment Date for such series to the opening of business on such
Interest Payment Date shall (except in the case of Securities or portions
thereof which have been called for redemption on a redemption date within such
period) be accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Issuer of an
amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the
principal amount of Securities being surrendered for conversion; provided, that
no such payment need be made if there shall exist, at the time of conversion, a
default in the payment of interest on the Securities of such series.  The funds
so delivered to the Conversion Agent shall be paid to the Issuer on or after
such Interest Payment Date unless the Issuer shall default on the payment of
the interest due on such Interest Payment Date, in which event such funds shall
be paid to the Holder who delivered the same.  Except as provided in the
preceding sentence and subject to the last paragraph of Section 2.7, no payment
or adjustment shall be made upon any conversion on account of any interest
accrued on the Securities surrendered for conversion or on account of any
dividends on the Common Stock issued upon conversion.

                 Section 13.4  Fractional Shares.  The Issuer will not issue a
fractional share of Common Stock upon conversion of a Security.  Instead, the
Issuer will deliver cash or its check for the current market value of a
fractional share.  The current market value of a fractional share is determined
as follows:  Multiply the current market price of a full share of Common Stock
on the last full trading day prior to the conversion date by the fraction
(rounded to the nearest 1/100 of a share) and round the result to the nearest
whole cent.

                 Section 13.5  Taxes on Conversion.  The Issuer shall pay any
and all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes due on the issue
or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of Securities
pursuant hereto.  The Holder, however, shall pay any such tax which is due
because the shares of Common Stock are issued in a name other than his.

                 Section 13.6  Issuer to Provide Stock.  The Issuer shall from
time to time as may be necessary reserve and keep available out of its
authorized but unissued Common Stock or its Common Stock held in treasury
enough shares of Common Stock to permit the conversion of all outstanding
Securities.





                                    -100-
<PAGE>   110


                 All shares of Common Stock which may be issued or delivered
upon conversion of the Securities shall be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable and shall be free from any preemptive rights.

                 In order that the Issuer may issue shares of Common Stock upon
conversion of the Securities, the Issuer will endeavor to comply with all
applicable Federal and State securities laws and will endeavor to list such
shares on each national or regional securities exchange on which the Common
Stock is listed.

                 If the taking of any action would cause an adjustment to the
then prevailing conversion price or conversion rate which would result in
shares of Common Stock being issued upon conversion of the Securities at an
effective conversion price below the then par value, if any, of the Common
Stock, or would raise the par value above the effective conversion price then
in effect, the Issuer will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of
its counsel, be necessary in order that the Issuer may validly and legally
issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of its Common Stock at such adjusted
conversion price or conversion rate or the conversion price or conversion rate
then in effect, as the case may be.

                 Section 13.7  Adjustment for Change in Capital Stock.  If the
Issuer:

                 (1)  pays a dividend or makes a distribution in shares of its
           Common Stock;

                 (2)  subdivides its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a
           greater number of shares;

                 (3)  combines its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a
           smaller number of shares;

                 (4)  pays a dividend or makes a distribution on its Common
           Stock other than in shares of its Common Stock; or

                 (5)  issues by reclassification of its shares of Common Stock
           any shares of its capital stock,

then the conversion privilege and the conversion price or conversion rate in
effect immediately prior to the opening of business on the record date for such
dividend or distribution or the effective date of such subdivision, combination
or reclassification shall be adjusted so that the Holder of any Security
thereafter converted may receive the number of shares of capital stock of the
Issuer which such Holder would have owned immediately following such action if
such Holder had converted the Security immediately prior to such time.  Such
adjustment





                                    -101-
<PAGE>   111

shall be made successively whenever any event listed below shall occur.

                 For a dividend or distribution, the adjustment shall become
effective immediately after the record date for the dividend or distribution.
For a subdivision, combination or reclassification, the adjustment shall become
effective immediately after the effective date of the subdivision, combination
or reclassification.

                 If after an adjustment a Holder of a Security upon conversion
of it may receive shares of two or more classes of capital stock of the Issuer,
the conversion prices of the classes of capital stock (after giving effect to
such allocation of the adjusted conversion price between or among the classes
of capital stock as the Board of Directors shall determine to be appropriate)
or the conversion rate, as the case may be, shall thereafter be subject to
adjustment on terms comparable to those applicable to Common Stock in this
Indenture.

                 Any shares of Common Stock issuable in payment of a dividend
shall be deemed to have been issued immediately prior to the time of the record
date for such dividend for purposes of calculating the number of outstanding
shares of Common Stock under Sections 13.8 and 13.9.

                 Section 13.8  Adjustment for Rights Issue.  If the Issuer
issues any rights or warrants to all holders of shares of its Common Stock
entitling them for a period expiring within 45 days after the record date
mentioned below to purchase shares of Common Stock (or Convertible Securities)
at a price per share (or having a conversion price per share, after adding
thereto an allocable portion of the exercise price of the right or warrant to
purchase such Convertible Securities, computed on the basis of the maximum
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Convertible
Securities) less than the Average Market Price on the Determination Date, the
conversion price or rate shall be adjusted so that it shall equal the price or
rate determined by multiplying the conversion price or dividing the conversion
rate, as the case may be, in effect immediately prior to the opening of
business on that record date by a fraction, of which the numerator shall be the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the
number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate offering price of the
total number of shares of Common Stock so offered (or the aggregate conversion
price of the Convertible Securities to be so offered, after adding thereto the
aggregate exercise price of the rights or warrants to purchase such Convertible
Securities) would purchase at such Average Market Price and of which the
denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such
record date plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock offered for
subscription or purchase (or





                                    -102-
<PAGE>   112

into which the Convertible Securities so offered are convertible).  Shares of
Common stock owned by or held for the account of the Issuer shall not be deemed
outstanding for the purpose of any such adjustment.

                 For purposes of this Section 13.8, the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding on any record date shall be deemed to include the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock the issuance of which would be
necessary to effect the full exercise, exchange or conversion of all
Convertible Securities outstanding on such record date which are then
exercisable, exchangeable or convertible at a price equal to or less than the
Average Market Price per share of Common Stock, if all of such Convertible
Securities were deemed to have been exercised, exchanged or converted
immediately prior to the opening of business on such record date.

                 The adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such
rights or warrants are issued, and shall become effective immediately after the
record date or the determination of stockholders entitled to receive the rights
or warrants.  If all of the shares of Common Stock (or all of the Convertible
Securities) subject to such rights or warrants have not been issued when such
rights or warrants expire (or, in the case of rights or warrants to purchase
Convertible Securities which have been exercised, all of the shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of such Convertible Securities have not been
issued prior to the expiration of the conversion right thereof), then the
conversion price or conversion rate shall promptly be readjusted to the
conversion price or conversion rate which would then be in effect had the
adjustment upon the issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis
of the actual number of shares of Common Stock (or Convertible Securities)
issued upon the exercise of such rights or warrants (or the conversion of such
Convertible Securities).

                 No adjustment shall be made under this Section 13.8 if the
adjusted conversion price would be higher than, or the adjusted conversion rate
would be less than, the conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may
be, in effect prior to such adjustment.

                 Section 13.9  Adjustments for Other Distributions.  If the
Issuer distributes to all holders of shares of its Common Stock any assets or
debt securities or any rights or warrants to purchase securities, the
conversion price or conversion rate shall be adjusted by multiplying the
conversion price or dividing the conversion rate, as the case may be, in effect
immediately prior to the opening of business on the record date mentioned below
by a fraction, of which the numerator shall be the total number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding on such record date multiplied by the Average Market
Price on the Determination Date,





                                     -103-

<PAGE>   113

less the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) on such
record date of said assets or debt securities or rights or warrants so
distributed, and of which the denominator shall be the total number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding on such record date multiplied by such Average
Market Price.

                 For purposes of this Section 13.9, the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding on any record date shall be deemed to include the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock the issuance of which would be
necessary to effect the full exercise, exchange or conversion of all
Convertible Securities outstanding on such record date which are then
exercisable, exchangeable or convertible at a price equal to or less than the
Average Market Price, if all of such Convertible Securities were deemed to have
been exercised, exchanged or converted immediately prior to the opening of
business on such record date.

                 The adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such
distribution is made, and shall become effective immediately after the record
date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive the
distribution.  Shares of Common Stock owned by or held for the account of the
Issuer shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such adjustment.

                 No adjustment shall be made under this Section 13.9 if the
adjusted conversion price would be higher than, or the adjusted conversion rate
would be less than, the conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may
be, in effect prior to such adjustment.

                 This Section does not apply to cash dividends or
distributions.  Also, this Section does not apply to dividends or distributions
referred to in Section 13.7 or to rights or warrants referred to in Section
13.8.

                 Section 13.10  Voluntary Adjustment.  The Issuer at any time
may reduce the conversion price or increase the conversion rate, temporarily or
otherwise, by any amount but in no event shall such adjusted conversion price
or conversion rate result in shares of Common Stock being issuable upon
conversion of the Securities if converted at the time of such adjustment at an
effective conversion price per share less than the par value of the Common
Stock at the time such adjustment is made.

                 A voluntary adjustment of the conversion price or conversion
rate pursuant to this Section 13.10 does not change or adjust the conversion
price or conversion rate otherwise in effect for purposes of Section 13.7, 13.8
or 13.9.  If an event requiring an adjustment to the conversion price or
conversion rate pursuant to Section 13.7, 13.8 or 13.9 occurs at any time that
a voluntary adjustment to the conversion price or conversion 





                                     -104-

<PAGE>   114
rate is in effect pursuant to this Section 13.10, then the adjustment required
by the applicable of Section 13.7, 13.8 or 13.9 shall be made to the conversion
price or conversion rate that would otherwise have been in effect as of the
relevant date specified in such Section had no voluntary adjustment pursuant to
this Section 13.10 been made, and for purposes of applying such Section, any
such voluntary adjustment shall be disregarded.  If such adjustment would
result in a lower conversion price or a higher conversion rate, as the case may
be, than the conversion price or conversion rate as voluntarily adjusted by the
Issuer then such lower conversion price or higher conversion rate shall be the
conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be.

                 Section 13.11  Certain Definitions.  For the purposes of this
Article, the following terms have the following meanings:

                 "Average Market Price" of a share of Common Stock on the
         Determination Date for any issuance of rights or warrants or any
         distribution in respect of which the Average Market Price is being
         calculated means the average of the daily current market prices of the
         Common Stock for the shortest of:

                          (i)  the period of 30 consecutive trading days 
                 commencing  45 trading days before such Determination Date,

                          (ii)  the period commencing on the date next
                 succeeding the first public announcement of the issuance of
                 rights or warrants or the distribution in respect of which the
                 Average Market Price is being calculated and ending on the
                 last full trading day before such Determination Date, and

                          (iii)  the period, if any, commencing on the date
                 next succeeding the Ex-Dividend Date with respect to the next
                 preceding issuance of rights or warrants or distribution for
                 which an adjustment is required by the provisions of Sections
                 13.7(4), 13.8 or 13.9, and ending on the last full trading day
                 before such Determination Date.

                 If the record date for an issuance of rights or warrants or a
         distribution for which an adjustment is required by the provisions of
         Sections 13.7(4), 13.8 or 13.9 (the "preceding adjustment event"),
         precedes the record date for the issuance or distribution in respect
         of which the Average Market Price is being calculated and the
         Ex-Dividend Date for such preceding adjustment event is on or after
         the Determination Date for the issuance or distribution in respect of
         which the Average Market Price is being calculated, then the Average
         Market Price shall be adjusted





                                      -105-
<PAGE>   115

         by deducting therefrom the fair market value (on the record date for
         the issuance or distribution in respect of which the Average Market
         Price is being calculated), as determined by the Board of Directors,
         of the capital stock, rights, warrants, assets or debt securities
         issued or distributed in respect of each share of Common Stock in such
         preceding adjustment event.

                 Further, in the event that the Ex-Dividend Date (or in the
         case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification, the effective
         date with respect thereto) with respect to a dividend, subdivision,
         combination or reclassification to which Section 13.7(1), (2), (3) or
         (5) applied occurs during the period applicable for calculating the
         Average Market Price, then the Average Market Price shall be
         calculated for such period in a manner determined by the Board of
         Directors to reflect the impact of such dividend, subdivision,
         combination or reclassification on the current market price of the
         Common Stock during such period.

                 "current market price" of a share of Common Stock on any day
         means the last reported sale price (or, if no sale price is reported,
         the average of the high and low bid prices) on such day on the
         National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.  Automated Quotation
         System or as quoted by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated, or
         if the Common Stock is listed on an exchange, on the principal
         exchange on which the Common Stock is listed.  In the event that no
         such quotation is available for any day, the Board of Directors shall
         be entitled to determine the current market price on the basis of such
         quotations as it considers appropriate.

         "Determination Date" for any issuance of rights or warrants or
         any distribution to which Section 13.8 or 13.9 applies means
         the earlier of (i) the record date for the determination of
         stockholders entitled to receive the rights or warrants or the
         distribution to which such Section applies and (ii) the
         Ex-Dividend Date of such rights, warrants or distribution.

                 "Ex-Dividend Date" means the date on which "ex-dividend"
         trading commences for a dividend, an issuance of rights or warrants or
         a distribution to which any of Sections 13.7, 13.8 and 13.9
         applies in the over-the-counter market or on the principal exchange on
         which the Common Stock is then quoted or listed.

                 Section 13.12  When Adjustment May Be Deferred.  In any case
in which this Article shall require that an adjustment shall become effective
immediately after a record date for an event, the Issuer may defer until the
occurrence of such event (i)





                                      -106-
<PAGE>   116

issuing to the Holder of any Security converted after such record date and
before the occurrence of such event the additional shares of Common Stock
issuable upon such conversion by reason of the adjustment required by such
event over and above the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion
before giving effect to such adjustment and (ii) paying to such Holder cash or
its check in lieu of any fractional interest to which he is entitled pursuant
to Section 13.4; provided, however, that the Issuer shall deliver to such
Holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such Holder's
rights to receive such additional shares of Common Stock, and such cash, upon
the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

                 Section 13.13  When Adjustment Is Not Required.  No
adjustments in the conversion price or conversion rate need be made unless the
adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%)
in the initial conversion price or conversion rate.  Any adjustment which is
not made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent
adjustment.

                 All calculations under this Article shall be made to the
nearest cent or to the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be.

                 No adjustment in the conversion price or conversion rate shall
be made because the Issuer issues, in exchange for cash, property or services,
shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
shares of Common Stock, or securities carrying the right to purchase shares of
Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.

                 No adjustment in the conversion price or conversion rate need
be made under this Article for sales of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an
Issuer plan providing for reinvestment of dividends or interest or in the event
the par value of the Common Stock is changed.

                 No adjustment in the conversion price or conversion rate need
be made for a transaction referred to in Section 13.7, 13.8 or 13.9 if
Securityholders are to participate in the transaction on a basis and with
notice that the Board of Directors determines to be fair and appropriate in
light of the basis and notice on which holders of Common Stock participate in
the transaction; provided that the basis on which the Securityholders are to
participate in the transaction shall not be deemed to be fair if it would
require the conversion of Securities at any time prior to the expiration of the
conversion period specified for such Securities.





                                      -107-
<PAGE>   117


                 To the extent the Securities become convertible into cash, no
adjustment need be made thereafter as to such cash.  Interest will not accrue
on such cash.

                 Section 13.14  Notice of Adjustment.  Whenever the conversion
price or conversion rate is adjusted, the Issuer shall promptly mail to
Securityholders a notice of the adjustment and file with the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate briefly stating the new conversion price or conversion
rate, the date it becomes effective, the facts requiring the adjustment and the
manner of computing it.  The certificate shall be conclusive evidence that the
adjustment is correct.

                 Section 13.15  Notice of Certain Transactions.  If:

                          (1)  the Issuer takes any action which would require 
                 an adjustment in the conversion price or conversion rate;

                          (2)  the Issuer consolidates or merges with, or
                 transfers all or substantially all of its assets to, another
                 corporation, and stockholders of the Issuer must approve the
                 transaction; or

                          (3) there is a voluntary or involuntary dissolution
                 or liquidation of the Issuer,

         a Holder of a Security may elect to convert it into shares of Common
         Stock prior to the record date for, or the effective date of, the
         transaction so that he may receive the rights, warrants, securities or
         assets which a holder of shares of Common Stock on that date may
         receive.  Therefore, the Issuer shall mail to the Securityholders and
         the Trustee, at least 20 days prior to the applicable record or
         effective date hereinafter mentioned, a notice stating the proposed
         record or effective date, as the case may be.  Failure to mail the
         notice or any defect in it shall not affect the validity of any
         transaction referred to in clause (1), (2) or (3) of this Section.

                 Section 13.16  Consolidation, Merger or Sale of the Issuer.
If the Issuer is a party to a transaction described in Section 9.1 or a merger
which reclassifies or changes its  Outstanding Common Stock, the successor
corporation (or corporation controlling the successor corporation or the
issuer, as the case may be) shall enter into a supplemental indenture which
shall provide that the Holder of a Security may convert it into the kind and
amount of securities or cash or other assets which he would have owned
immediately after the consolidation, merger or transfer if he had converted the
Security immediately before the effective date of such transaction, assuming
(to the extent applicable) that such Holder failed to exercise any rights





                                      -108-
<PAGE>   118

of election with respect thereto and received per share of Common Stock the
kind and amount of securities, cash or assets received per share by a plurality
of the non-electing shares.  The supplemental indenture shall provide for
adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the
adjustments provided for in this Article.  The successor corporation shall mail
to each Securityholder a notice describing the supplemental indenture.

                 If this Section applies, Sections 13.7, 13.8 and 13.9 shall
not apply.

                 Section 13.17  Issuer Determination Final.  Any determination
which the Board of Directors must make pursuant to Sections 13.7, 13.9, 13.11,
13.13 or 13.16 is conclusive and binding on the Holders of Securities.

                 Section 13.18  Trustee's Disclaimer.  Neither the Trustee nor
any Conversion Agent has any duty to determine when an adjustment under this
Article should be made, how it should be made or what it should be.  Neither
the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent has any duty to determine whether any
provisions of a supplemental indenture under Section 13.16 are correct.
Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent makes any representation as to the
validity or value of any securities or assets issued upon conversion of
Securities.  Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be responsible
for the Issuer's failure to comply with this Article.

                 Section 13.19  Simultaneous Adjustments.  In the event that
this Article Thirteen requires adjustments to the conversion price or
conversion rate under more than one of Sections 13.7(4), 13.8 or 13.9, and the
record dates for the distributions giving rise to such adjustments shall occur
on the same date, then such adjustments shall be made by applying, first, the
provisions of Section 13.7, second, the provisions of Section 13.9 and, third,
the provisions of Section 13.8.


                                ARTICLE FOURTEEN

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS


                 Section 14.1  Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and
Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability.  No recourse under or
upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in
any Security or Coupon, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall
be had against any incorporator, as such, or against any past, present or
future stockholder, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer or  of any
successor, either directly or through the Issuer





                                      -109-
<PAGE>   119

or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or
by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or
otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the
acceptance of the Securities and the Coupons appertaining thereto by the
Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the
Securities and the Coupons appertaining thereto.

                 Section 14.2  Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of
Parties and Holders of Securities and Coupons.  Nothing in this Indenture, in
the Securities or Coupons appertaining thereto, expressed or implied, shall
give or be construed to give to any Person other than the parties hereto and
their successors and the Holders of the Securities or Coupons, if any, any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under any
covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being
for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the
Holders of the Securities or Coupons, if any.

                 Section 14.3  Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by
Indenture.  All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this
Indenture made by or on behalf of the Issuer shall bind its successors and
assigns, whether so expressed or not.

                 Section 14.4  Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and
Holders of Securities and Coupons.  Any notice, direction, request or demand
which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given
or served by the Trustee or by any Holder of Securities of any series or
Coupons appertaining thereto to or upon the Issuer shall be deemed to have been
sufficiently given or served by being deposited postage prepaid in the United
States mail, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided
herein), addressed (until another address of the Issuer is filed by the Issuer
with the Trustee) to CMS Energy Corporation, Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100,
330 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, Michigan 48126, Attention: Secretary.  Any
notice, direction, request or demand by the Issuer or any Holder of Securities
of any series or Coupons appertaining thereto to or upon the Trustee shall be
deemed to have been sufficiently given or served by being deposited postage
prepaid in the United States mail, first-class mail (except as otherwise
specifically provided herein), addressed (until another address of the Trustee
is filed by the Trustee with the Issuer) to The Chase Manhattan Bank (National
Association), Four Chase MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11245.  Any
notice required or permitted to be given or served by the Issuer or by the
Trustee to or upon (i) any Holders of Registered Securities of any series or
any Holders of Unregistered Securities who have filed their names and addresses
with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.4(c)(ii), shall be deemed to have been
sufficiently





                                      -110-
<PAGE>   120


given or served by being deposited in the United States mail, first-class mail
(except as otherwise specifically provided herein), addressed at their
addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register or at the addresses so
filed, respectively, and (ii) any Holders of other Unregistered Securities,
shall be deemed to have been sufficiently  given or served by publication at
least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York.

                 In any case where notice to the Holders of Securities is given
by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice
so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice
with respect to other Holders.  Where this Indenture provides for notice in any
manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive
such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the
equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with
the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity
of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

                 In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in
regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impracticable
to mail notice when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any
provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient
giving of such notice.

                 Section 14.5  Officers' Certificates and Opinions of Counsel;
Statements to be Contained Therein.  Except as otherwise expressly provided by
this Indenture, upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to
take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall
furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions
precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed
action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the
opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been
complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to
which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any
provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand,
no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

                 Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and
delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than certificates provided
pursuant to Section 4.3(d) or Section 11.5) shall include (a) a statement that
the individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or
condition and the definitions herein relating thereto, (b) a brief statement as
to the nature and scope of the examination or





                                      -111-
<PAGE>   121

investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such
individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to
enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in
the opinion of such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied
with.

                 Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the
Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate
or opinion of or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows that the
certificate or opinion of or representations with respect to the matters upon
which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are
erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are
erroneous.  Any such certificate, statement or Opinion of Counsel may be based,
insofar as it relates to factual matters, on information with respect to which
is in the possession of the Issuer, upon the certificate, statement or opinion
of or representations by an officer or officers of the Issuer, unless such
counsel knows that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion
may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care
should know that the same are erroneous.

                 Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the
Issuer or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters,
upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of
accountants in the employ of the Issuer, unless such officer or counsel, as the
case may be, knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with
respect to the accounting matters upon which his certificate, statement or
opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.

                 Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public
accountants filed with and directed to the Trustee shall contain a statement
that such firm is independent.

                 Section 14.6  Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
If the date of maturity of interest on or principal of the Securities of any
series or any Coupons appertaining thereto or the date fixed for redemption or
repayment of any such Security or Coupon shall not be a Business Day, then
(notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities)
payment of such interest or principal need not be made on such date, but may be
made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if
made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption or repayment,





                                      -112-
<PAGE>   122

and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such date.

                 Section 14.7  Conflict of any Provision of Indenture with
Trust Indenture Act of 1939.  If and to the extent that any provision of this
Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision set forth in
Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, that impose
duties on any person, such provision of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 shall
control.

                 Section 14.8  New York Law to Govern.  This Indenture and each
Security and Coupon shall be governed by and deemed to be a contract under, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, and for all
purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of such State, except
as may otherwise be required by mandatory provisions of law.

                 Section 14.9  Counterparts.  This Indenture may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

                 Section 14.10  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.  The
Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

                 Section 14.11  Separability Clause.  In case any provision in
this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable,
the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not
in any way be affected or impaired thereby.





                                      -113-
<PAGE>   123

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be
hereunto affixed and attested, all as of _________ __, 1995.


                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION


                                      By____________________________
                                        Title:



[CORPORATE SEAL]

Attest:


By______________________
  Title:



                                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                            (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION), TRUSTEE



                                      By____________________________
                                        Title:

[CORPORATE SEAL]

Attest:


By__________________________
  Title:





                                      -114-

<PAGE>   1





                                                                  EXHIBIT (4)(h)


      MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - CORPORATION AND SECURITIES BUREAU
                                                    (FOR BUREAU USE ONLY)
          Date Received
          February 13, 1995


Name:     Mr. Thomas A. McNish
          CMS Energy Corporation

Address:  Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
          330 Town Center Drive

City:     Dearborn    State:  MI    Zip Code:  48126      Effective Date:


         Document will be returned to the name and address you enter above


         CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
           For use by Domestic Limited Partnerships                  L___-_____
         (Please read information and instructions on the last page)

          Pursuant to the provisions of Act 213, Public Acts of 1982,
          the undersigned person(s) execute the following Certificate:


Section 1

The name of the limited partnership is:  CMS Energy Michigan Limited
                                         Partnership


Section 2

The general character of its business is:  solely to issue its limited
partnership interests and invest the proceeds thereof in debt securities of CMS
Energy Corporation.


Section 3

a.       The address of the office at which the limited partnership records are
         kept is:
                 Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
                 330 Town Center Drive
                 Dearborn, MI  48126

b.       The name of the agent for service of process is:    Thomas A. McNish

c.       The address of the agent for service of process is:
                 Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
                 330 Town Center Drive
                 Dearborn, MI  48126

Section 4

The power of a limited partner to grant the right to become a limited partner
to an assignee of any part of the partnership interest, and the terms and
conditions of the power, are as follows:

                 None specified

SEAL APPEARS ONLY ON ORIGINAL
<PAGE>   2

Section 5

a.       Describe the times, or events when a general partner may terminate
         membership in the limited partnership, and the terms and conditions of
         the termination.

                 None specified


b.       Describe the times, or events when a limited partner may terminate
         membership in the limited partnership.  Include the amount or method
         of determining any distribution the limited partner is entitled to
         receive upon termination of their membership.

                 None specified


Section 6

The right of the limited partner to receive distributions of property,
including cash, from the limited partnership, other than indicated in 5(b), is:

                 None specified


Section 7

The right of the limited partner to receive, or a general partner to make to a
limited partner, distributions of property, which include a return of all or
any part of the limited partner's contribution, other than indicated in 5(b),
is:

                 None specified

                        SEAL ONLY APPEARS ON ORIGINAL
<PAGE>   3

Section 8

The times or events at which the limited partnership is to be dissolved and its
affairs wound up are:

                 None specified


Section 9

The right of the remaining general partner(s) to continue the business upon the
event of withdrawal of a general partner is:

                 None specified


Section 10

Enter any other matters the partners may desire to include.  If additional
space is required, attach Supplement O.  Attached are ----- page(s) of
Supplement O.


Section 11

Complete one section for each partner (general and limited).  General partners
must be listed first followed by limited partners.

         Item 1 - The type of partner must be either general or limited.  The
         Certificate must include a definition of the title classification for
         any partner identified as other than only general or limited.

         Item 2 - Partner names must appear in the last name, first name,
         middle initial sequence.

         Item 3 - Indicate the business or residence address of the partner.
         The address should include the street number and name, city, state and
         ZIP code.

         Items 4 & 5 - LIMITED PARTNERS ONLY - ONE OR BOTH MUST BE COMPLETED

         Item 4 - If applicable, indicate the amount of cash previously
         contributed.  If contributions have been made in the form of property
         or services, indicate the agreed dollar value of the contribution in
         the "other $______" space and complete Item 6.

         Item 5 - If applicable, indicate the amount of cash to be contributed
         in the future and complete Item 7.  If there are future contributions
         in the form of property or services, indicate the agreed dollar value
         of the contribution in the "other $______" space and complete Items 6
         and 7.

         Item 8 - This certificate must be signed and dated by all partners
         (general and limited) named in the certificate.  A partner may sign by
         attorney in fact.

                        SEAL APPEARS ONLY ON ORIGINAL
<PAGE>   4

Section 11

1. Type of Partner  X  General  2. Partner Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)
                       Limited 
                                                        CMS Energy Corporation

3. Address (No. Street, City, State, ZIP Code)
    Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100, 330 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, MI  48126

4. Contributions Previously Made         5. Future Contributions to be Made
   (Limited Partners Only)                  (Limited Partners Only)
   Cash $______    Other $______            Cash $______    Other $______

6. Description of Contributions Other than Cash:  (Include all property or
   services contributed or to be contributed)

7. Times or Events Requiring Future Contributions:  (Cash, Property or
   Services)

8. Signature                                                   9. Date
         By:  Thomas A. McNish       /s/ Thomas A. McNish
        As:  Vice President and Secretary                      February 10, 1995




1. Type of Partner       General   2. Partner Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)
                      X  Limited   
                                                 CMS Energy Finance Corporation

3. Address (No. Street, City, State, ZIP Code)
    Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100, 330 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, MI  48126

4. Contributions Previously Made         5. Future Contributions to be Made
   (Limited Partners Only)                  (Limited Partners Only)
   Cash $1.00     Other $ N/A              Cash $ N/A      Other $ N/A

6. Description of Contributions Other than Cash:  (Include all property or
   services contributed or to be contributed)

7. Times or Events Requiring Future Contributions:  (Cash, Property or
   Services)

8. Signature                                             9. Date
         By:  Thomas A. McNish
         As:  Vice President and Secretary               February 10, 1995     



1. Type of Partner       General   2. Partner Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)
                         Limited   
                                                                                

3. Address (No. Street, City, State, ZIP Code)
                                                                                

4. Contributions Previously Made         5. Future Contributions to be Made
   (Limited Partners Only)                  (Limited Partners Only)
   Cash $         Other $                  Cash $          Other $    

6. Description of Contributions Other than Cash:  (Include all property or
   services contributed or to be contributed)

7. Times or Events Requiring Future Contributions:  (Cash, Property or
   Services)

8. Signature                                             9. Date
         By:                          
         As:                                                                   


<PAGE>   5
    Name of person or organization               Preparer's name and business
          remitting fees:                            telephone number:

CMS Energy Corporation                        Joyce H. Norkey
__________________________________         ____________________________________
                                              (517) 788-1031
________________________________________________________________________________
                         INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
1.      The certificate of limited partnership cannot be filed until            
        this form is submitted.

2.      Submit one original of this document.  Upon filing, the document will
        be added to the records of the Corporation and Securities Bureau.  The  
        original will be returned to the address appearing in the box on the
        front as evidence of filing.  Since this document will be maintained on
        optical disk media, it is important that the filing be legible. 
        Documents with poor black and white contrast, or otherwise illegible,
        will be rejected.

3.      This certificate is to be used for the purpose of forming a domestic
        limited partnership pursuant to Section 201 of the Act.

4.      If additional space is required for any section, continue the section
        on Supplement O. If a specific section of this certificate is not
        applicable, state "none".

5.      Section 1 - The limited partnership name must contain, without
        abbreviation, the words "limited partnership". The name may not contain 
        the name of a limited partner (unless the name is also the name of a
        general partner of the business of the limited partnership had been
        carned on under that name before the admission of that limited partner)
        The name may not contain any word or phrase indicating or implying that
        it is organized for a purpose other than described in Section 2 of the
        certificate.

6.      Section 3(a) - The limited partnership must keep at the office as
        required by Sec. 105(a)(1) of the Act (1) a current list of the full
        name and last known business or residence address of each partner,
        specifying separately the general partners and limited partners in
        alphabetical order within each category, (2) a copy of the certificate
        of limited partnership and all certificates of amendment, restated
        certificates of limited partnership and certificates of assumed name
        together with executed copies of any powers of attorney, (3) copies of
        the limited partnership's federal, state, and local income tax returns
        and reports, if any, for the three most recent years, and (4) copies 
        of any then effective written partnership agreements and financial 
        statements for the three most recent years.

7.      Section 3(b) - The agent must be an individual resident of Michigan, a
        domestic corporation, or a foreign corporation authorized to do
        business in Michigan.

8.      Section 3(c) - The address of the agent must be a location; P.O. Box
        addresses are not acceptable.

9.      Section 5 - If a partner has no right to terminate membership in the
        limited partnership, indicate "none".

10.     Section 10 - An effective date, no later than 90 days after the date
        the document is delivered to the Bureau, may be stated in this
        section.

11.     NOTICE - "Units" and Limited Partnership Certificates - Although
        the Michigan Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (MRULPA), PA 213 of
        1982, does not use the term "unit", documents are frequently submitted
        which refer to a "unit of interest", "unit of limited partnership", or a
        similar phrase.  To form a limited partnership, two or more persons
        execute and file a Certificate of Limited Partnership.  The certificate
        must include the name and address of each partner and specify if they
        are general partners or limited partners.

        The use of terminology other than general partner or limited partner in
        describing the interest of parties in the limited partnership is
        confusing.  If the term "unit" is used in conjunction with "limited
        partnership interest", it may be a designation of units of a
        limited partnership interest and reflect the intention to create a
        master limited partnership.  The names and addresses of the unit holders
        would not be required to be included in the Certificate of Limited
        Partnership unless the unit holder is also a limited partner.  If the
        names and addresses of unit holders, other than limited partners, are
        included in the Certificate of Limited Partnership it will have a
        negative impact on the ability to freely trade the units as securities.

        However, if the term "units" is intended to be synonymous with "limited
        partner", "unit" should be defined in the Certificate of Limited
        Partnership since the MRULPA does not use the term "unit".

12.     Section 11 - The document must be signed in ink by each partner.  A
        partner may sign by an attorney in fact.

13.     FEES:  Filing fee (Make remittance payable to the State of 
        Michigan)............$10.00


14.     Mail form and fee to:                      The office is located at:
         Michigan Department of Commerce            6546 Mercantile Way
         Corporation and Securities Bureau          Lansing, MI,  48910
         Corporation Division                       Telephone:  (517) 334-6302
         P.O. Box 30054
         Lansing, MI  48909-7554

                        SEAL APPEARS ONLY ON ORIGINAL













        


<PAGE>   1


                                                                    EXHIBIT 4(i)


                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                         LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
                   OF CMS ENERGY MICHIGAN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                 This Amended and Restated LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT, dated
as of ___________, 1995, of CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership, a Michigan
limited partnership (the "Partnership"), is made by and among CMS Energy
Corporation, as General Partner, CMS Energy Finance Corporation, as Class A
Limited Partner and the Persons (as defined below) who become limited partners
of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions hereof.

                 WHEREAS, CMS Energy Corporation and CMS Energy Finance
Corporation have heretofore formed a limited partnership pursuant to the
Michigan Act, by filing a Certificate of Limited Partnership (as defined below)
with the Secretary of State of the State of Michigan and entering into a
Limited Partnership Agreement dated as of February 13, 1995 (the "Limited
Partnership Agreement); and

                 WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to continue the Partnership
as a limited partnership under the Michigan Act and to amend and restate the
Limited Partnership Agreement in its entirety.

                 NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally
bound hereby,agree to amend and restate the Limited Partnership Agreement in
its entirety as follows:


                            ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS

                 For purposes of this Agreement, each of the following terms
shall have the meaning set forth below (such meaning to be equally applicable
to both singular and plural forms of the terms so defined).

                 "ACTION" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.01(b).

                 "ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.01(b)(x).

                 "AFFILIATE" shall mean, with respect to the Person to which it
refers, a Person that directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
such subject Person.
<PAGE>   2


                 "AGREEMENT" shall mean this Limited Partnership Agreement, as
amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, including,
without limitation, by any Action establishing a series of Preferred Partner
Interests.

                 "BOOK ENTRY INTERESTS" shall mean a beneficial interest in the
Certificates, ownership and transfers of which shall be made through book
entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 14.04.

                 "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day other than a day on which
banking institutions in The City of New York or the State of Michigan are
authorized or required by law to close.

                 "CAPITAL ACCOUNT" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.01.

                 "CERTIFICATE" shall mean a certificate substantially in the
form attached to any Action, evidencing a Preferred Partner Interest.

                 "CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP" shall mean the
Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership and any and all
amendments thereto and restatements thereof filed with the Secretary of State
of the State of Michigan.

                 "CLASS A LIMITED PARTNER" shall mean CMS Energy Finance
Corporation, in its capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership.

                 "CLEARING AGENCY" shall mean an organization registered as a
"Clearing Agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

                 "CLEARING AGENCY PARTICIPANT" shall mean a broker dealer,
bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a
Clearing Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities
deposited with the Clearing Agency.

                 "CODE" shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Code of
1986 and (unless the context requires otherwise) the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time.

                 "COMMISSION" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                 "COVERED PERSON" shall mean any Partner or the Special
Representative, any Affiliate thereof or any officers, directors, shareholders,
partners, members, employees, representatives or agents of a Partner, the
Special Representative or their 




                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
respective Affiliates, or any employee or agent of the Partnership or its 
Affiliates.


                 "DEFINITIVE CERTIFICATE" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 14.04.

                 "DISSOLUTION TAX OPINION" shall have the meaning set forth in
the definition of "Tax Event."

                 "ECONOMIC RISK OF LOSS" shall mean the "economic risk of loss"
that any Partner is treated as bearing under Treasury Regulation Section
1.752-2 with respect to any Partnership liability.

                 "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.

                 "EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall mean an event of default under the
Indenture.

                 "FISCAL YEAR" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.01.

                 "GENERAL PARTNER" shall mean CMS Energy Corporation, in its
capacity as general partner of the Partnership, together with any successor
thereto that becomes a general partner of the Partnership pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement.

                 "GUARANTEE" shall mean the Payment and Guarantee Agreement
dated as of ___________, 1995, as amended or supplemented from time to time, of
CMS Energy Corporation and any additional Payment and Guarantee Agreements
entered into by CMS Energy Corporation for the benefit of the Partners.

                 "INDEMNIFIED PERSON" shall mean the General Partner or the
Special Representative, any Affiliate thereof or any officers, directors,
shareholders, partners, members, employees, representatives or agents thereof,
or any employee or agent of the Partnership or its Affiliates.

                 "INDENTURE" shall mean the Indenture dated as of ___________,
1995, as amended or supplemented from time to time, between CMS Energy
Corporation and The Chase Manhattan Bank, National Association, as Trustee and
any additional Indentures entered into by CMS Energy Corporation pursuant to
which Subordinated Debentures of CMS Energy Corporation are to be issued.

                 "INTEREST" shall mean the entire partnership interest of a
Partner in the Partnership at any particular time, including the right of such
Partner to any and all benefits to which a Partner may be entitled as provided
in this Agreement, together 





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
with the obligations of such Partner to comply with all of the terms and 
provisions of this Agreement.

                 "LIMITED PARTNERS" shall mean the Class A Limited Partner, if 
any, and the Preferred Partners.

                 "LIQUIDATING DISTRIBUTIONS" shall mean distributions of
Partnership property made upon a liquidation and dissolution of the Partnership
as provided in Article XII.

                 "LIQUIDATING TRUSTEE" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 12.01.

                 "LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION" shall mean the liquidation
preference of each series of Preferred Partner Interests as set forth in the
Action for such series.

                 "LOSS ITEMS" shall mean, with respect to any fiscal period,
items of gross Partnership loss, deduction or expense for such period.

                 "MICHIGAN ACT" shall mean the Michigan Revised Uniform Limited
Partnership Act, Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. Section  449.1101, et seq., as amended
from time to time or any successor statute thereto.

                 "NET INCOME" or "NET LOSS" shall mean, with respect to any
Fiscal Year, the sum of the Partnership's (a) net gain or loss from the sale or
exchange of the Partnership's capital assets during such Fiscal Year, and (b)
all other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and expense for such Fiscal
Year that are not included in (a).  Net Income or Net Loss shall be determined
in accordance with Federal tax accounting principles rather than generally
accepted accounting principles, except that a distribution in kind of
Partnership property shall be treated as a taxable disposition of such property
for its fair market value (taking into account Section 7701(g) of the Code) on
the date of distribution. For purposes of determining the Capital Accounts as
set forth in Article IV, "Net Income" and "Net Loss" shall be computed in the
same manner as the Partnership computes its income for Federal income tax
purposes, except that adjustments shall be made in accordance with Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), which adjustments shall include any
income which is exempt from United States Federal income tax, all Partnership
losses and all expenses properly chargeable to the Partnership, whether
deductible or non-deductible and whether described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of
the Code, treated as so described pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), or otherwise.

                 "1940 ACT" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5


                 "PARTNERS" shall mean the General Partner and the Limited
Partners.

                 "PARTNERSHIP" shall mean CMS Energy Michigan Limited
Partnership, a limited partnership formed under the laws of the State of
Michigan.

                 "PERSON" shall mean any individual, general partnership,
limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint venture,
trust, business trust, cooperative or association and the heirs, executors,
administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of such Person
where the context so admits.

                 "PREFERRED PARTNER" shall mean a limited partner of the
Partnership who holds one or more Preferred Partner Interests.

                 "PREFERRED PARTNER INTEREST OWNER" shall mean, with respect to
a Book Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book Entry
Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of
a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a
Clearing Agency Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in
accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency).

                 "PREFERRED PARTNER INTERESTS" shall mean the Interests
described in Article XIII.
                 
                 "PURCHASE PRICE" shall mean the amount paid for each Preferred
Partner Interest.

                 "REDEMPTION PRICE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.01(b)(v).

                 "SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.

                 "SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.02(d).

                 "SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES" shall mean the Subordinated
Debentures of CMS Energy Corporation issued under the Indenture.

                 "TAX EVENT" shall mean that the General Partner shall have
received an opinion of nationally recognized independent tax counsel
experienced in such matters (a "Dissolution Tax Opinion") to the effect that,
as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change (including any announced
prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United
States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or
(b) any amendment to or change in an interpretation or application of such laws
or regulations by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or
regulatory authority (including the





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

enactment of any legislation and the publication of any judicial decision or
regulatory determination on or after such date), there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Partnership is subject to federal income tax
with respect to interest received on any series of Subordinated Debentures;
(ii) interest payable to the Partnership on any series of Subordinated
Debentures will not be deductible by CMS Energy Corporation for federal income
tax purposes; or (iii) the Partnership is subject to more than a de minimis
amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

                 "TAX MATTERS PARTNER" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.05.

                 "TRANSFER" shall mean any transfer, sale, assignment, gift,
pledge, hypothecation or other disposition or encumbrance of an interest in the
Partnership.

                 "TREASURY REGULATIONS" shall mean the final and temporary
income tax regulations, as well as the procedural and administrative
regulations, promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury under
the Code, as amended from time to time.

                 "TRUSTEE" shall mean NBD Bank, N.A. or any other trustee under
the Indenture.

                 "UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT" shall mean the Underwriting Agreement
dated ___________, 1995, among the Partnership, CMS Energy Corporation and the
underwriters named therein with regard to the sale of Preferred Partner
Interests and related securities and any additional Underwriting Agreements
entered into by the Partnership and CMS Energy Corporation with regard to the
sale of additional Preferred Partner Interests and related securities.


          ARTICLE II - CONTINUATION; NAME; PURPOSES; TERM; DEFINITIONS

                 SECTION 2.01.  FORMATION.  The parties hereto hereby join
together to continue a limited partnership which shall exist under and be
governed by the Michigan Act.  The Partnership shall make any and all filings
or disclosures required under the laws of Michigan or otherwise with respect to
its continuation as a limited partnership, its use of a fictitious name or
otherwise as may be required.  The Partnership shall be a limited partnership
among the Partners solely for the purposes specified in Section 2.03 hereof,
and this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a partnership among the
Partners with respect to any activities whatsoever other than the activities
within the business purposes of the Partnership as specified in Section 2.03.
No Partner shall have any power to bind any other Partner with respect to any
matter except as specifically provided in this Agreement.  No Partner shall be
responsible or liable for any indebtedness or





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

obligation of any other Partner incurred either before or after the execution
of this Agreement.  The assets of the Partnership shall be owned by the
Partnership as an entity, and no Partner individually shall own any direct
interest in the assets of the Partnership.

                 SECTION 2.02.  NAME AND PLACE OF BUSINESS.  The name of the
Partnership is "CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership"  The Partnership may
operate under the name of "CMS Energy Michigan" and such name shall be used for
no purposes other than those set forth herein.  The principal place of business
of the Partnership shall be Fairlane Plaza South, 330 Town Center Drive,
Dearborn, Michigan 48126, or at such other place as may be selected by the
General Partner in its sole discretion.

                 SECTION 2.03.  PURPOSES.  The sole purposes of the Partnership
are to issue and sell Interests in the Partnership, including, without
limitation, Preferred Partner Interests, and to use the proceeds of all sales
of Interests in the partnership to purchase Subordinated Debentures issued by
CMS Energy Corporation pursuant to the Indenture and to effect other similar
arrangements permitted by this Agreement, and to engage in any and all
activities necessary, convenient, advisable or incidental thereto.  The
Partnership shall not borrow money or issue debt or mortgage or pledge any of
its assets.

                 SECTION 2.04.  TERM.  The Partnership was formed on February
13, 1995 and shall continue without dissolution through February 13, 2094,
unless sooner dissolved as provided in Article XI hereof.

                 SECTION 2.05.  QUALIFICATION IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.  The
General Partner shall cause the Partnership to be qualified, formed or
registered under assumed or fictitious name statutes or similar laws in any
jurisdiction in which the Partnership transacts business.  The General Partner
shall execute, deliver and file any certificates (and any amendments and/or
restatements thereof) necessary for the Partnership to qualify to do business
in any jurisdiction in which the Partnership may wish to conduct business.

                 SECTION 2.06.  ADMISSION OF PREFERRED PARTNERS.  Without
execution of this Agreement, upon receipt by a Person of a Certificate and
payment for the Preferred Partner Interest being acquired by such Person, which
shall be deemed to constitute a request by such Person that the books and
records of the Partnership reflect its admission as a Preferred Partner, such
Person shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Preferred Partner and shall
become bound by this Agreement.





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8


                 SECTION 2.07.  RECORDS.  The name and mailing address of each
Partner and the amount contributed to the capital of the Partnership shall be
listed on the books and records of the Partnership.  The Partnership shall keep
such other records as are required by the Michigan Act.  The General Partner
shall update the books and records from time to time as necessary to accurately
reflect the information therein.

                 SECTION 2.08.  WITHDRAWAL OF CLASS A LIMITED PARTNER.  Upon
the admission of at least one Preferred Partner as a limited partner of the
Partnership, the Class A Limited Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from
the Partnership as a limited partner of the Partnership, and upon such
withdrawal, the Class A Limited Partner shall have its capital contribution
returned to it without any interest or deduction and shall have no further
interest in the Partnership.


                      ARTICLE III - CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

                 SECTION 3.01.  CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS.  As of the date of this
Agreement, the General Partner has contributed the amount of $___________ to
the capital of the Partnership and shall make any further contributions
required to satisfy its obligations under Section 3.04.  Each Preferred
Partner, or its predecessor in interest, will contribute to the capital of the
Partnership the amount of the Purchase Price for the Preferred Partner
Interests held by it.

                 SECTION 3.02.  ADDITIONAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS.  No Partner
shall be required to make any additional contributions or advances to the
Partnership except as provided in Section 3.04 or by law.  The General Partner
may make additional capital contributions in excess of the amounts required
under this Agreement at any time.

                 SECTION 3.03.  NO INTEREST OR WITHDRAWALS.  No interest shall
accrue on any capital contribution made by a Partner, and no Partner shall have
the right to withdraw or to be repaid any portions of its capital contributions
so made, except as specifically provided in this Agreement.

                 SECTION 3.04.  MINIMUM CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION OF GENERAL
PARTNER.  Whenever any Limited Partner makes a capital contribution, the
General Partner shall immediately make the capital contribution sufficient to
cause the aggregate capital contribution of the General Partner to equal at
least 1% of the aggregate capital contributed by all Partners for each series
of Preferred Partner Interests issued by the Partnership and the Partnership
shall use each such General Partner capital contribution to purchase
Subordinated Debentures. Any such additional contributions shall constitute
additional capital contributions made by the General Partner.  In addition, all





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

payments made by the General Partner as required by Section 8.03(c) shall be
treated as additional capital contributions to the Partnership.

                 SECTION 3.05.  PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS.  Unless otherwise
provided herein, the percentage interests of the Partners shall be as
determined in proportion to the capital contributions of the Partners.

                 SECTION 3.06.  INTERESTS.  Each Partner's respective Preferred
Partner Interests shall be set forth on the books and records of the
Partnership.  Each Partner hereby agrees that its Interests shall for all
purposes be personal property.  No Partner has an interest in specific
Partnership property.  The Partnership shall not issue any additional interest
in the Partnership after the date hereof other than Interests to the General
Partner or Preferred Partner Interests.


                         ARTICLE IV - CAPITAL ACCOUNTS

                 SECTION 4.01.  CAPITAL ACCOUNTS.  There shall be established
on the books of the Partnership a capital account ("Capital Account") for each
Partner that shall consist of the initial capital contribution to the
partnership made by such Partner (or such Partner's predecessor in interest),
increased by:  (a) any additional capital contributions made by such Partner,
(b) the agreed value of any property subsequently contributed to the capital of
the Partnership by such Partner; and (c) Net Income allocated to any Partner
(or predecessor thereof).  A Partner's Capital Account shall be decreased by:
(a) Net Loss allocated to any Partner (or predecessor thereof); and (b) any
distributions made to such Partner.  In addition to and notwithstanding the
foregoing, Capital Accounts shall be otherwise adjusted in accordance with the
tax accounting principles set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)
(2) (iv).

                 SECTION 4.02.  COMPLIANCE WITH TREASURY REGULATIONS.  The
foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the
maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Section 704(b) of
the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted
and applied in a manner consistent with such regulations.  In the event that
the General Partner shall determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in
which the Capital Accounts, or any debits or credits thereto, are determined in
order to comply with such regulations, the General Partner may make such
modification.





                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10



                            ARTICLE V - ALLOCATIONS

                 SECTION 5.01.  NET INCOME AND NET LOSS.  Net Income and Net
Loss of the Partnership shall be allocated in the following manner.  First, all
deductions of the Partnership for which the General Partner has made a payment
as required by Section 8.03(c) shall be allocated to the General Partner.
Then, for each fiscal period, the remaining Net Income of the Partnership
attributable to each series of Preferred Partner Interests shall be allocated
(i) first, to the Preferred Partners, pro rata in proportion to the number of
Preferred Partner Interests held by each Preferred Partner and at the
distribution rate specified in the Action for each series of Preferred Partner
Interests, in an amount equal to the excess of (a) the distributions accrued on
such Preferred Partner Interests since their date of issuance through and
including the close of the current fiscal period (whether or not paid) over (b)
the amount of profits allocated to the Preferred Partners pursuant to this
Section 5.01(i) in all prior fiscal periods; and (ii) thereafter, to the
General Partner.  The foregoing allocations shall be made separately with
respect to each series of Preferred Partner Interests.  The Net Losses of the
Partnership shall be allocated each year to the General Partner.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner
shall be allocated at least one percent of all items of income, gain, loss,
deduction and credit of the Partnership.

                 SECTION 5.02.  ALLOCATION RULES.  For purposes of determining
the profits, losses or any other items allocable to any period, profits, losses
and any such other items shall be determined on a daily, monthly or other
basis, as determined by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion
using any method that is permissible under Section 706 of the Code and the
Treasury Regulations thereunder.  The Partners are aware of the income tax
consequences of the allocations made by this Article V and hereby agree to be
bound by the provisions of this Article V in reporting their shares of
Partnership income and loss for income tax purposes.

                 SECTION 5.03.  ADJUSTMENTS TO REFLECT CHANGES IN INTERESTS.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Fiscal Year during which any
Partner's percentage interest in the Partnership changes, whether by reason of
the admission of a Partner, the withdrawal of a Partner, a non-pro rata
contribution of capital to the Partnership or any other event described in
Section 706(d)(1) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder,
allocations of the items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Partnership
shall be adjusted appropriately to take into account the varying interests of
the Partners during such Fiscal Year.  The General Partner shall consult with
the Partnership's accountants and other tax advisors and shall select the
method of making such adjustments, which method shall be used consistently
thereafter.





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

                 SECTION 5.04.  TAX ALLOCATIONS.  For Federal, state and local
income tax purposes, Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction or credit (or
any item thereof) for each Fiscal Year shall be allocated to and among the
Partners in order to reflect the allocations made pursuant to the provisions of
this Article V for such Fiscal Year (other than allocations of items which are
not deductible or are excluded from taxable income), taking into account any
variation between the adjusted tax basis and book value of Partnership property
in accordance with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code using the
traditional method with curative allocations as provided in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-3(c).

                 SECTION 5.05.  QUALIFIED INCOME OFFSET.  Notwithstanding any
other provision hereof, if any Partner unexpectedly receives an adjustment,
allocation or distribution described in Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) (4), (5), or (6) which creates or increases a deficit in
the Capital Account of such Partner (and, for this purpose, the existence of a
deficit shall be determined by reducing the Partner's Capital Account by the
items described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5),
and (6)), the next available gross income of the Partnership shall be allocated
to the Partners having such deficit balances, in proportion to the deficit
balances, until such deficit balances are eliminated as quickly as possible.
The provisions of this Section 5.05 are intended to constitute a "qualified
income offset" within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted and implemented as therein
provided.  The allocations pursuant to this Section 5.05 shall be made if and
to the extent that a Limited Partner would have a deficit Capital Account after
all other allocations provided for in this Article V have been made as if
Section 5.05 were not in this Agreement.

                 SECTION 5.06.   GROSS INCOME ALLOCATION. In the event any
Limited Partner has a deficit Capital Account at the end of any fiscal year
which is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount such Limited Partner is
obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, and (ii) the
amount such Limited Partner is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to
the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and
1.704-2(i)(5), each such Limited Partner shall be specially allocated items of
Partnership income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as
possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.06 shall be
made if and to the extent that such Limited Partner would have a deficit
Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for
in this Article V have been made as if Sections 5.05 and 5.06 were not in this
Agreement.





                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12


                 SECTION 5.07.  CURATIVE ALLOCATIONS.  The allocations set
forth in Sections 5.05 and 5.06 (the "Regulatory Allocations") are intended to
comply with certain requirements of the Treasury Regulations.  It is the intent
of the Partners that, to the extent possible, all Regulatory Allocations shall
be offset with special allocations of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant
to this Section 5.07.

                 SECTION 5.08.  CURATIVE AMENDMENTS.  Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, the allocations under this Agreement shall affect
an allocation for Federal income tax purposes in a manner consistent with
Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
If for any reason the allocations contained in this Agreement shall conflict
with the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the
General Partner may amend these provisions if it believes that such an
amendment is necessary to reflect allocations consistent with such Treasury
Regulations.

                 SECTION 5.09.  TAXPAYER INFORMATION.  Any Person who holds
Preferred Partner Interests as a nominee for another Person is required to
furnish to the Partnership (a) the name, address and taxpayer identification
number of the beneficial owner and the nominee; (b) information as to whether
the beneficial owner is (i) a Person that is not a United States Person, (ii) a
foreign government, an international organization or any wholly owned agency or
instrumentality of either of the foregoing, or (iii) a tax-exempt entity; (c)
the amount and description of Preferred Partner Interests held, acquired or
transferred for the beneficial owner; and (d) certain information including the
dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and
acquisition costs for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from
sales.


                           ARTICLE VI - DISTRIBUTIONS

                 SECTION 6.01.  DISTRIBUTIONS.  Preferred Partners shall
receive periodic cash distributions, if any, in accordance with the applicable
terms of the Preferred Partner Interests as provided in the Action issued
pursuant to Section 13.01 for such series, as and when declared by the General
Partner. The cash distributions, if any, made pursuant to the preceding
sentence may include cash distributions in complete redemption of any series of
Preferred Partner Interests in accordance with the applicable terms of such
Preferred Partner Interests, as and when declared by the General Partner.
Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Partner Interests, the
General Partner shall receive such cash distributions, if any, as may be
declared from time to time by the General Partner.





                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13


                 SECTION 6.02.  CERTAIN DISTRIBUTIONS PROHIBITED.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, all Partnership
distributions shall be subject to the following limitations:

                 (a)   No distribution shall be made to any Partner if, and to
the extent that, such distribution would not be permitted under Section
449.1607 of the Michigan Act or other applicable law.

                 (b)   No distribution shall be made to any Partner to the
extent that such distribution, if made, would create or increase a deficit
balance in the Capital Account of such Partner.

                 (c)   Other than Liquidating Distributions, no distribution of
Partnership property shall be made in kind.  Notwithstanding anything in the
Michigan Act or this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of a Liquidating
Distribution, a Partner may be compelled in accordance with Section 12.01 to
accept a distribution of cash or any other asset in kind from the Partnership
even if the percentage of the asset distributed to it exceeds a percentage of
that asset which is equal to the percentage in which such Partner shares in
distributions from the Partnership.


                   ARTICLE VII - ACCOUNTING MATTERS; BANKING

                 SECTION 7.01.  FISCAL YEAR.  The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year")
of the Partnership shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is
required by the Code.

                 SECTION 7.02.  CERTAIN ACCOUNTING MATTERS.  (a) At all times
during the existence of the Partnership, the General Partner shall keep, or
cause to be kept, full books of account, records and supporting documents,
which shall reflect in reasonable detail, each transaction of the
Partnership.  The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of
accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied.  The Partnership shall use the accrual method of
accounting for United States Federal income tax purposes.  The books of account
and the records of the Partnership shall be examined by and reported upon as of
the end of each Fiscal Year by a firm of independent certified public
accountants selected by the General Partner.

                 (b)   The General Partner shall cause to be prepared and
delivered to each of the Partners, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal
Year of the Partnership, annual financial statements of the Partnership,
including a balance sheet of the Partnership as of the end of such Fiscal Year
and the related statements of income or loss and a statement indicating such





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14

Partner's share of each item of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction or
credit for such Fiscal Year for income tax purposes.

                 (c)   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, the General Partner may, to the maximum extent permitted by
applicable law, keep confidential from the Partners for such period of time as
the General Partner deems reasonable any information which the General Partner
reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information
the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes is not in
the best interest of the Partnership or could damage the Partnership or which
the Partnership or a third party is required by law or by an agreement to keep
confidential.

                 (d)   The General Partner may make, or revoke, in its sole and
absolute discretion, any elections for the Partnership that are permitted under
tax or other applicable laws, including elections under Section 704(c) of the
Code, provided that the General Partner shall not make any elections pursuant
to Section 754 of the Code.

                 SECTION 7.03.  BANKING.  The Partnership shall maintain one or
more bank accounts in the name and for the sole benefit of the Partnership.
The sole signatories for such accounts shall be designated by the General
Partner. Reserve cash, cash held pending the expenditure of funds for the
business of the Partnership or cash held pending a distribution to one or more
of the Partners may be invested in any manner at the sole and absolute
discretion of the General Partner.

                 SECTION 7.04.  RIGHT TO RELY ON AUTHORITY OF GENERAL PARTNER.
No Person that is not a Partner, in dealing with the General Partner, shall be
required to determine such General Partner's authority to make any commitment
or engage in any undertaking on behalf of the Partnership, or to determine any
fact or circumstance bearing upon the existence of the authority of the General
Partner.

                 SECTION 7.05.  TAXATION.  The Partners intend that the
Partnership shall be taxed as a partnership for Federal and state income and
single business tax purposes and the Partners agree to take all action,
including amendment of this Agreement and execution of such other documents to
qualify for and receive such treatment.

                 SECTION 7.06.  SURVIVAL OF TAX PROVISIONS.  The provisions of
this Agreement relating to tax matters shall survive the termination of this
Agreement and the termination of any Partner's interest in the Partnership and
shall remain binding on that Partner for the period of time necessary to
resolve with any Federal, state and local tax authorities any tax matters
regarding the Partnership.





                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15


                 SECTION 7.07.  TAX MATTERS PARTNER.  The "tax matters
partner," as defined in Section 6231 of the Code, of the Partnership shall be
the General Partner (the "Tax Matters Partner").  The Tax Matters Partner shall
receive no compensation from the Partnership for its services in that capacity.
The Tax Matters Partner is authorized to employ such accountants, attorneys and
agents as it, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems necessary or
appropriate. Any Person who serves as Tax Matters Partner shall not be liable
to the Partnership or to any Partner for any action it takes or fails to take
as Tax Matters Partner with respect to any administrative or judicial
proceeding involving "partnership items" (as defined in Section 6231 of the
Code) of the Partnership.


                           ARTICLE VIII - MANAGEMENT

                 SECTION 8.01.  MANAGEMENT.  (a) The General Partner shall have
full and exclusive authority with respect to all matters concerning the conduct
of the business and affairs of the Partnership, including (without limitation)
the power, without the consent of the Limited Partners, to make all decisions
it deems necessary, advisable, convenient or appropriate to accomplish the
purposes of the Partnership.  The acts of the General Partner acting alone
shall serve to bind the Partnership and shall constitute the acts of the
Partners.

                 (b)   The Limited Partners in their capacity as such shall not
take part in the management, operation or control of the business of the
Partnership or transact any business in the name of the Partnership.  In
addition, the Limited Partners, in their capacity as such, shall not be agents
of the Partnership and shall not have the power to sign or bind the Partnership
to any agreement or document.  The Limited Partners shall have the right to
vote only with respect to those matters specifically provided for in this
Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Preferred
Partners may exercise all rights provided to them, if any, under the Indenture
and the Guarantee.

                 (c)   The General Partner is authorized and directed to use
its best efforts to conduct the affairs of, and to operate, the Partnership
in such a way that the Partnership would not be deemed to be an "investment
company" required to be registered under the 1940 Act or taxed as a corporation
for Federal income tax purposes and so that the Subordinated Debentures will be
treated as indebtedness of CMS Energy Corporation for Federal income tax
purposes.  In this connection, the General Partner is authorized to take any
action not inconsistent with applicable law, the Certificate of Limited
Partnership or this Agreement that does not materially adversely affect the
interests of holders of Preferred Partner Interests that the General Partner
determines in its sole and absolute discretion to be necessary, advisable or
desirable for such purposes.





                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16


                 SECTION 8.02.  FIDUCIARY DUTY.  (a) To the extent that, at law
or in equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and
liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to any other Covered Person,
an Indemnified Person acting under this Agreement shall not be liable to the
Partnership or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the
provisions of this Agreement or the advice of counsel selected by the
Indemnified Person in good faith.  The provisions of this Agreement, to the
extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person
otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to
replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Person.

                 (b)   Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) whenever
a conflict of interest exists or arises between Covered Persons, or (ii)
whenever this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein provides
that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that is, or provides terms
that are, fair and reasonable to the Partnership or any Partner, the
Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, taking such action
or providing such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each
party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or
situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any
customary or accepted industry practices, the advice of counsel selected by the
Indemnified Person in good faith, and any applicable generally accepted
accounting practices or principles.  In the absence of bad faith by the
Indemnified Person, the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided
by the Indemnified Person shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or
any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the
Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise.

                 (c)   Whenever in this Agreement an Indemnified Person is
permitted or required to make a decision (i) in its "discretion" or under a
grant of similar authority or latitude, the Indemnified Person shall be
entitled to consider only such interests and factors as it desires, including
its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any
consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Partnership or any
other  Person, or (ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard,
the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be
subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Agreement or other
applicable law.

                 SECTION 8.03.  SPECIFIC OBLIGATIONS OF THE GENERAL PARTNER.
The General Partner hereby undertakes:

                 (a)   to devote to the affairs of the Partnership so much of
its time as shall be necessary to carry on properly the Partnership's business
and its responsibilities hereunder;





                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17


                 (b)   to cause the Partnership to do or refrain from doing
such acts as shall be required by Michigan law in order to preserve the valid
existence of the Partnership as a Michigan limited partnership and to preserve
the limited liability of the Limited Partners; and

                 (c)   to pay directly all, and the Partnership shall not be
obligated to pay, directly or indirectly, any, of the costs and expenses of the
Partnership (including, without limitation, costs and expenses relating to the
organization of, and offering of limited partner interests in, the Partnership
and costs and expenses relating to the operation of the Partnership, including
without limitation, costs and expenses of accountants, attorneys, statistical
or bookkeeping services and computing or accounting equipment, paying agent(s),
registrar(s), transfer agent(s), duplicating, travel and telephone and costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition, financing, and
disposition of Partnership assets).

                 SECTION 8.04.  POWERS OF THE GENERAL PARTNER.  The General
Partner shall have the right, power and authority, in the management of the
business and affairs of the Partnership, to do or cause to be done any and all
acts deemed by the General Partner to be necessary or appropriate to effectuate
the business, purposes and objectives of the Partnership.  Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the General Partner shall have the power and
authority without any further act, approval or vote of any Partner to:

                          (a)  issue Interests, including Preferred Partner
Interests, and classes and series thereof, in accordance with this Agreement;

                          (b)  act as, or appoint another Person to act as, 
registrar and transfer agent for the Preferred Partner Interests;

                          (c)  establish a record date with respect to all
actions to be taken hereunder that require a record date to be established,
including with respect to allocations, distributions and voting rights and
declare distributions and make all other required payments on General Partner,
Class A Limited Partner and Preferred Partner Interests as the Partnership's
paying agent;

                          (d)  enter into and perform one or more Indentures
and one or more Underwriting Agreements and use the proceeds from the issuance
of the Interests and the General Partner's Interest to purchase the
Subordinated Debentures, in each case on behalf of the Partnership;

                          (e)  bring and defend on behalf of the Partnership
actions and proceedings at law or in equity before any court or governmental,
administrative or other regulatory agency, body or commission or otherwise;





                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18


                          (f)  employ or otherwise engage employees and agents
(who may be designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors,
advisors and consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services;

                          (g)  redeem each series of Preferred Partner
Interests (which shall constitute a return of capital and not a distribution of
income) in accordance with its terms and/or to the extent that the related
series of Subordinated Debentures is redeemed or reaches maturity; and

                          (h)  execute all documents or instruments, perform
all duties and powers and do all things for and on behalf of the Partnership in
all matters necessary, convenient, advisable or incidental to the foregoing.

                 The expression of any power or authority of the General
Partner in this Agreement shall not in any way limit or exclude any other power
or authority which is not specifically or expressly set forth in, or precluded
by, this Agreement.

                 SECTION 8.05.  INDEPENDENT AFFAIRS.  Any Partner or any
Affiliate thereof may engage in or possess an interest in any other business
venture of whatever nature and description, independently or with others,
wherever located and whether or not comparable to or in competition with the
Partnership or the General Partner, or any Affiliate thereof, and neither the
Partnership nor any of the Partners shall, by virtue of this Agreement, have
any rights with respect to, or interests in, such independent ventures or the
income, profits or losses derived therefrom.  No Partner or Affiliate thereof
shall be obligated to present any particular investment opportunity to the
Partnership even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to
the Partnership, could be taken by the Partnership, and any Partner or
Affiliate thereof shall have the right to take for its own account
(individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such
particular investment opportunity.

                 SECTION 8.06.  MEETINGS OF THE PARTNERS.  Meetings of the
Partners of any class or series or of all classes or series of the
Partnership's Interests may be called at any time by the Partners holding 10%
in liquidation preference of such class or series of Interests, or of all
classes or series of Interests, as  the case may be, or as provided in any
Action establishing a series of Preferred Partner Interests.  Except to the
extent otherwise provided in any such Action, the following provisions shall
apply to meetings of Partners.

                          (a)  Notice of any meeting shall be given to all
Partners not less than ten (10) business days nor more than sixty (60) days
prior to the date of such meeting.  Partners may vote in person or by proxy at
such meeting.  Whenever a vote, consent or approval of Partners is permitted or
required under this





                                      -18-
<PAGE>   19

Agreement, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of Partners
or by written consent.

                          (b)  Each Partner may authorize any Person to act for
it by proxy on all matters in which a Partner is entitled to participate,
including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a
meeting.  Every proxy must be signed by the Partner or its attorney-in-fact.
No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the
date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy.  Every proxy shall be
revocable at the pleasure of the Partner executing it.

                          (c)  Each meeting of Partners shall be conducted by
the General Partner or by such other Person that the General Partner may
designate.

                          (d)  Subject to the provisions of this Section 8.06,
the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall establish all
other provisions relating to meetings of Partners, including notice of the
time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on by
any Partners, waiver of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting,
the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements, voting in person or by
proxy or any other matter with respect to the exercise of any such right to
vote; provided, however, that unless the General Partner has established a
lower percentage, a majority of the Partners entitled to vote thereat shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Partners.

                 SECTION 8.07.  NET WORTH OF THE GENERAL PARTNER.  By execution
of this Agreement, the General Partner represents and covenants that (a) as of
the date hereof and at all times during the existence of the Partnership it
will maintain a fair market value net worth of at least ten percent (10%) of
the total contributions less redemptions to the partnership, throughout the
life of the Partnership, in accordance with Rev. Proc. 89-12, 1989-1 C.B. 798,
or such other amount as may be required from time to time pursuant to any
amendment, modification or successor to Rev. Proc. 89-12 (such net worth being
computed excluding any interest in, or receivable due from, the Partnership and
including any income tax liabilities that would become due by the General
Partner upon disposition by the General Partner of all assets included in
determining such net worth), and (b) it will not make any voluntary
dispositions of assets which would reduce the net worth below the amount
described in (a).

                 SECTION 8.08.  RESTRICTIONS ON GENERAL PARTNER.  So long as
any series of Subordinated Debentures are held by the Partnership, the General
Partner unless so directed by the Special Representative, shall not (i) direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Trustee, or executing any trust or power conferred on the
Trustee with respect to such series, (ii) waive any past default





                                      -19-
<PAGE>   20

which is available under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or
annul a declaration that the principal of all of a series of Subordinated
Debentures shall be due and payable or (iv) consent to any amendment,
modification or termination of the Indenture, where such consent shall be
required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of
not less than 66 2/3% of the aggregate stated liquidation preference of all
series of Preferred Partner Interests affected thereby, acting as a single
class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would
require the consent of each holder affected thereby, no such consent shall be
given by the General Partner without the prior consent of each holder of all
series of Preferred Partner Interests affected thereby.  The General Partner
shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of any
series of Preferred Partner Interests. The General Partner shall notify all
holders of such Preferred Partner Interests of any notice of default received
from the Trustee with respect to such series of Subordinated Debentures.  The
General Partner shall not cause or permit the Partnership to engage in any
activity that is not consistent with the purposes of the Partnership.


                   ARTICLE IX - LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

                 SECTION 9.01.  PARTNERSHIP EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES.

                 (a)  Except as provided in the Michigan Act, the General
Partner shall have the liabilities of a partner in a partnership without
limited partners to Persons other than the partnership and the other Partners.

                 (b)  Except as otherwise expressly required by law, a Limited
Partner, in its capacity as such, shall have no liability in excess of (i) the
amount of its capital contributions to the Partnership, (ii) its share of any
assets and undistributed profits of the Partnership, and (iii) the amount of
any distributions wrongfully distributed to it.

                 SECTION 9.02.  NO LIABILITY.  Except as otherwise expressly
provided in Section 9.01(a) or by the Michigan Act, no Covered Person shall be
liable to the Partnership or to any other Partner for any act or omission
performed or omitted pursuant to the authority granted to it hereunder or by
law, or from a loss    resulting from any mistake or error in judgment on its
part or from the negligence, dishonesty, fraud or bad faith of any employee,
independent contractor, broker or other agent of the Partnership, provided that
such act or omission, such mistake or error in judgment or the selection of
such employee, independent contractor, broker or other agent, as the case may
be, did not result from the willful misconduct, gross negligence or fraud of
such Covered Person.  Any Covered Person shall be fully protected in relying in
good faith upon the records of the Partnership and





                                      -20-
<PAGE>   21

upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the
Partnership by any Person as to matters the Covered Person reasonably believes
are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has
been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Partnership,
including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and
amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts
pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to
Partners might properly be paid.

                 SECTION 9.03.  INDEMNIFICATION.  To the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, except as set forth in Section 8.03(c), an
Indemnified Person shall be entitled to indemnification from the Partnership
for any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason of
any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good
faith on behalf of the Partnership and in a manner reasonably believed to be
within the scope of authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this
Agreement, except that no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to be
indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such
Indemnified Person by reason of willful misconduct, gross negligence or fraud
with respect to such acts or omissions; provided, however, that any indemnity
under this Section 9.03 shall be provided out of and to the extent of
Partnership assets only, and except as otherwise provided by the Michigan Act,
no Covered Person shall have any personal liability on account thereof.  To the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses (including legal fees)
incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending any claim, demand, action, suit
or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to
the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon
receipt by the Partnership of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified
Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnified
Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 9.03.


                 ARTICLE X - WITHDRAWAL; TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

                 SECTION 10.01.  TRANSFER BY GENERAL PARTNER; ADMISSION OF
SUBSTITUTED GENERAL PARTNER.  The General Partner may not Transfer its Interest
(in whole or in part) to any Person without the consent of all other Partners,
provided that the General Partner may, without the consent of any Partner,
Transfer its Interest to _____________________ or any direct or indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation; provided that after such
Transfer, the representation and covenant set forth in Section 8.07 remains
true and correct.  Notwithstanding anything else herein, the General Partner
may merge with or into another Person, may permit another Person to merge with
or into the General Partner and may Transfer all or substantially all of its
assets to another Person if the General Partner is the survivor





                                      -21-
<PAGE>   22

of such merger or the Person into which the General Partner is merged or to
which the General Partner's assets are transferred is a Person organized under
the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia
and the General Partner shall have the right to admit the assignee or
transferee of its Interest which is permitted hereunder as a substituted or
additional general partner of the Partnership, without the consent of the
Limited Partners.  Any such assignee or transferee of all or a part of the
Interest of a General Partner shall be deemed admitted to the partnership as a
general partner of the Partnership immediately prior to the effective date of
such Transfer, and such additional or successor General Partner is hereby
authorized to and shall continue the business of the Partnership without
dissolution.

                 SECTION 10.02.  WITHDRAWAL OF LIMITED PARTNERS.  A Preferred
Partner may not withdraw from the Partnership prior to the dissolution and
winding up of the Partnership except upon the assignment of its Preferred
Partner Interests (including any redemption, repurchase, exchange or other
acquisition by the Partnership), as the case may be, in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement.  Any Person who has been assigned one or more
Interests shall provide the Partnership with a completed Form W-8 or such other
documents or information as are requested by the Partnership for tax reporting
purposes.  A withdrawing Preferred Partner shall not be entitled to receive any
distribution and shall not otherwise be entitled to receive the fair value of
its Preferred Partner Interest except as otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement.


                  ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION OF THE PARTNERSHIP

                 SECTION 11.01.  NO DISSOLUTION.  The Partnership shall not be
dissolved by the admission of Partners in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.  The death, withdrawal, incompetency, bankruptcy, dissolution or
other cessation to exist as a legal entity of a Limited Partner, or the
occurrence of any other event that terminates the Interest of a Limited Partner
in the Partnership, shall not in and of itself cause the Partnership to be
dissolved and its affairs wound up.  To the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, upon the occurrence of any such event, the General Partner,
subject to the terms of this Agreement, may, without any further act, vote or
approval of any Partner, admit any Person to the Partnership as an additional
or substitute Limited Partner, which admission shall be effective as  of the
date of the occurrence of such event, and the business of the Partnership shall
be continued without dissolution.

                 SECTION 11.02.  EVENTS CAUSING DISSOLUTION.  The Partnership
shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up upon the occurrence of any
of the following events:





                                      -22-
<PAGE>   23


(a)  the expiration of the term of the Partnership, as provided in Section 2.04
                                    hereof;

                          (b)  the withdrawal, removal, retirement,
resignation, expulsion or bankruptcy of the General Partner or Transfer (other
than a grant of a security interest) by the General Partner of its entire
Interest in the Partnership when the assignee is not admitted to the
Partnership as an additional or successor General Partner in accordance with
Section 10.01 hereof, or the occurrence of any other event that results in the
General Partner ceasing to be a general partner of the Partnership under the
Michigan Act, provided, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and required to
be wound up in connection with any of the events specified in this clause (b)
if (i) at the time of the occurrence of such event there is at least one
remaining general partner of the Partnership who is hereby authorized to,
agrees to and does carry on the business of the Partnership, or (ii) within
ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such event, a majority in Interest of
the remaining Partners (or such greater percentage in Interest as is required
by the Michigan Act) agree in writing to continue the business of the
Partnership and to the appointment, effective as of the date of such event, if
required, of one or more additional general partners of the Partnership;

                          (c)  the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution
under the Michigan Act; or

                          (d)  the election of the General Partner upon the
occurrence of a Tax Event or any event specified in an Action as an event
permitting the dissolution of the Partnership;

                          (e)  the written consent of the General Partner and
all of the Preferred Partners.

                 SECTION 11.03.  NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION.  Upon the dissolution
of the Partnership, the General Partner shall promptly notify the Partners of
such dissolution.


               ARTICLE XII - LIQUIDATION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

                 SECTION 12.01.  LIQUIDATION.  Upon dissolution of the
partnership, the General Partner, or, in the event that the dissolution is
caused by an event described in Section 11.02(b) and there is no other General
Partner, a Person or Persons who may be approved by Preferred Partners holding
not less than a majority in liquidation preference of the Preferred Partner
Interests as liquidating trustee the "Liquidating Trustee", shall immediately
commence to wind up the Partnership's affairs; provided, however, that a
reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly liquidation of the assets of
the Partnership and the satisfaction of liabilities to creditors so as to
enable the





                                      -23-
<PAGE>   24

Partners to minimize the normal losses attendant upon a liquidation.  The
Preferred Partners shall continue to share profits and losses during
liquidation in the same proportions, as specified in Articles V and VI hereof,
as before liquidation. The proceeds of liquidation shall be distributed, as
realized, in the following order and priority:

                          (a)  to creditors of the Partnership, including
Preferred Partners who are creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted by law,
in satisfaction of the liabilities of the Partnership (whether by payment or
the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof), other than liabilities
for which reasonable provision for payment has been made and liabilities for
distributions to Partners;

                          (b)  to the holders of Preferred Partner Interests of
each series then outstanding in accordance with the terms of the Action or
Actions for such Series (and if such distribution shall not be made in cash,
the holders of Preferred Partner Interests of each series shall receive the
corresponding series of Subordinated Debentures held by the Partnership and
purchased with the proceeds of each such series of Preferred Partner
Interests); and

                          (c)  to all Partners in accordance with their
respective positive Capital Account balances, after giving effect to all
contributions, distributions and allocations for all periods.

Any General Partner with a negative balance in its Capital Account upon the
winding up of the Partnership shall make a capital contribution in cash to the
Partnership to eliminate that negative balance before the later of (i) the end
of the taxable year during which such liquidation occurs or (ii) 90 days after
the date of such liquidation.

                 SECTION 12.02.  TERMINATION.  The Partnership shall terminate
when all of the assets of the Partnership have been distributed in the manner
provided for in this Article XII, and the Certificate of Limited Partnership
shall have been cancelled in the manner required by the Michigan Act.

                 SECTION 12.03.  DUTY OF CARE.  The General Partner or the
Liquidating Trustee, as the case may be, shall not be liable to the Partnership
or any Partner for any loss attributable to any act or omission of the General
Partner taken in good faith in connection with the liquidation of the
Partnership and distribution of its assets in belief that such course of
conduct was in the best interest of the Partnership.  The General Partner or
the Liquidating Trustee, as the case may be, may consult with counsel and
accountants with respect to liquidating the partnership and distributing its
assets and shall be justified in acting or omitting to act in accordance with
the written opinion





                                      -24-
<PAGE>   25

of such counsel or accountants, provided they shall have been selected with
reasonable care.

                 SECTION 12.04.  NO LIABILITY FOR RETURN OF CAPITAL. The
General Partner and its respective officers, directors, members, shareholders,
employees, representatives, agents, partners and Affiliates shall not be
personally liable for the return of the contributions of any Partner to the
Partnership. No Limited Partner shall be obligated to restore to the
Partnership any amount with respect to a negative Capital Account.


                   ARTICLE XIII - PREFERRED PARTNER INTERESTS

                 SECTION 13.01.  PREFERRED PARTNER INTERESTS.

                 (a)  The aggregate number of Preferred Partner Interests which
the Partnership shall have authority to issue is unlimited.  Each series of
Preferred Partner Interests shall rank equally and all Preferred Partner
Interests shall rank senior to all other Interests in respect of the right to
receive distributions and the right to receive payments out of the assets of
the Partnership upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution and winding up of the
Partnership.  The issuance of any Interests ranking senior to the Preferred
Partner Interests shall be deemed to materially adversely affect the rights of
the Preferred Partner Interests under this Agreement.

                 (b)  The General Partner on behalf of the Partnership is
authorized to issue Preferred Partner Interests, in one or more series, having
such designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, and other terms and
provisions, whether in regard to distributions, return of capital or otherwise,
as may from time to time be established in a written action or actions (each,
an "Action") of the General Partner providing for the issue of such series.  In
connection with the foregoing, the General Partner is expressly authorized,
prior to issuance, to set forth in an Action or Actions providing for the issue
of such series, the following:

                          (i)  The distinctive designation of such series
         which shall distinguish it from other series;

                          (ii)  The number of Preferred Partner Interests
         included in such series, which number may be increased or decreased
         from time to time unless otherwise provided by the General Partner in
         creating the series;

                          (iii)  The distribution rate (or method of
         determining such rate) for Preferred Partner Interests of such series
         and the date or dates upon which such distributions shall be payable;





                                      -25-
<PAGE>   26


                          (iv)  Whether distributions on Preferred Partner
         Interests of such series shall be cumulative, and, in the case of
         Preferred Partner Interests of any series having cumulative
         distribution rights, the date or dates or method of determining the
         date or dates from which distributions on Preferred Partner Interests
         of such series shall be cumulative;

                          (v)  The amount or amounts which shall be paid out of
         the assets of the Partnership to the holders of such series of
         Preferred Partner Interests upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
         dissolution, winding up or termination of the Partnership;

                          (vi)  The price or prices at which (the "Redemption
         Price"), the period or periods within which and the terms and
         conditions upon which the Preferred Partner Interests of such series
         may be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, at the option of
         the Partnership or the General Partner;

                          (vii)  The obligation, if any, of the Partnership to
         purchase or redeem Preferred Partner Interests of such series pursuant
         to a sinking fund or otherwise and the price or prices at which, the
         period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which
         the Preferred Partner Interests of such series shall be purchased or
         redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

                          (viii)  The period or periods within which and the
         terms and conditions, if any, including the price or prices or the
         rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the terms and conditions
         of any adjustments thereof, upon which the Preferred Partner Interests
         of such series shall be convertible or exchangeable at the option of
         the Preferred Partner, or the Partnership, into any other Interests or
         securities or other property or cash or into any other series of
         Preferred Partner Interests;

                          (ix)  The voting rights, if any, of the Preferred
         Partner Interests of such series in addition to those required by law
         or set forth herein, and any requirement for the approval by the
         holders of Preferred Partner Interest, or of the Preferred Partner
         Interests of one or more series, or of both, as a condition to
         specified Action or amendments to this Agreement;

                          (x)   The additional amounts, if any, which the
         Partnership will pay as a distribution as necessary in order that the
         net amounts received by the Preferred Partners who hold such series of
         Preferred Partner Interests after withholding or deduction of certain
         taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges will equal the
         amount





                                      -26-
<PAGE>   27

         which would have been receivable in respect of such Preferred Partner
         Interests in the absence of such withholding or deduction ("Additional
         Amounts"); and

                          (xi)  Any other relative rights, powers, preferences,
         privileges, limitations or restrictions of the Preferred Partner
         Interests of the series not inconsistent with this Agreement or with
         applicable law.

                 In connection with the foregoing and without limiting the
generality thereof, the General Partner is hereby expressly authorized, without
the vote or approval of any other Partner, to take any Action to create under
the provisions of this Agreement a series of Preferred Partner Interests that
was not previously outstanding.  Without the vote or approval of any other
Partner, the General Partner may execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file
and record whatever documents may be required in connection with the issue from
time to time of Preferred Partner Interests in one or more series as shall be
necessary, convenient or desirable to reflect the issue of such series.  The
General Partner shall do all things it deems to be appropriate or necessary to
comply with the Michigan Act and is authorized and directed to do all things it
deems to be necessary or permissible in connection with any future issuance,
including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any
Federal, state or other governmental agency or any securities exchange.

                 Any Action or Actions taken by the General Partner pursuant to
the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be deemed an amendment and
supplement to and part of this Agreement.

                 (c)   Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or in any
Action in respect of any series of the Preferred Partner Interests and as
otherwise required by law, all rights to the management and control of the
Partnership shall be vested exclusively in the General Partner.

                 (d)   No holder of Interests shall be entitled as a matter of
right to subscribe for or purchase, or have any preemptive right with respect
to, any part of any new or additional issue of Interests of any class or series
whatsoever, or of securities convertible into any Interests of any class or
series whatsoever, whether now or hereafter authorized and whether issued for
cash or other consideration or by way of distribution.  Any Person acquiring
Preferred Partner Interests shall be admitted to the partnership as a Preferred
Partner upon compliance with Section 2.06.

                 SECTION 13.02.  TERMS OF ALL PREFERRED PARTNER INTERESTS.
Notwithstanding anything else in any Action to the contrary, all Preferred
Partner Interests of the Partnership shall have the following voting rights,
preferences, participating, optional and other special rights and the





                                      -27-
<PAGE>   28

qualifications, limitations or restrictions of, and other matters relating to,
the Preferred Partner Interests as set forth below in this Section 13.02.

                 (a)   Distributions.

                          (i)  The Preferred Partners shall be entitled to
         receive, when, as and if declared by the General Partner out of funds
         held by the Partnership to the extent that the Partnership has cash on
         hand sufficient to permit such payments and funds legally available
         therefor, cumulative cash distributions at a rate per annum
         established by the General Partner, calculated on the basis of a
         360-day year consisting of twelve (12) months of thirty (30) days
         each, and for any period shorter than a full monthly distribution
         period, distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual
         number of days elapsed in such period, and payable in United States
         dollars monthly in arrears on the last day of each calendar month of
         each year.  In the event that any date on which distributions are
         payable on the Preferred Partner Interests is not a Business Day, then
         payment of the distribution payable on such date will be made on the
         next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest
         or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such
         Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment
         shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case
         with the same force and effect as if made on such date.  Such
         distributions will accrue and be cumulative from the original date of
         issue whether or not they have been declared and whether or not there
         are profits, surplus or other funds of the Partnership legally
         available for the payment of distributions, or whether they are
         deferred.

                          (ii)  If distributions have not been paid in full on
         any series of Preferred Partner Interests, the Partnership may not:

                                  (A)  pay or declare and set aside for payment
                 any distributions on any other series of Preferred Partner
                 Interests, unless the amount of any distributions paid on any
                 Preferred Partner Interests is paid on all Preferred Partner
                 Interests then outstanding on a pro rata basis, on the date
                 such distributions are paid, so that

                                        (1)  (x) the aggregate amount of
                          distributions paid on such series of Preferred
                          Partner Interests bears to (y) the aggregate amount
                          of distributions paid on all such Preferred Partner
                          Interests outstanding the same ratio as





                                      -28-
<PAGE>   29


                                        (2)  (x) the aggregate of all
                          accumulated arrears of unpaid distributions in
                          respect of such series of Preferred Partner Interests
                          bears to (y) the aggregate of all accumulated arrears
                          of unpaid distributions in respect of such Preferred
                          Partner Interests outstanding;

                                  (B)  pay any distribution on any Interest of
                 any General Partner; or

                                  (C)  redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire
                 any other Preferred Partner Interests or any Interest of any
                 General Partner;

                 until, in each case, such time as all accumulated and unpaid
                 distributions on all series of Preferred Partner Interests
                 shall have been paid in full for all distribution periods
                 terminating on or prior to, in the case of clauses (A) and
                 (B), such payment and, in the case of clause (C), the date of
                 such redemption, purchase or acquisition.

                 (b)  Redemption.

                                  (i)  By their acceptance of Preferred Partner
                          Interests, holders of Preferred Partner Interests
                          shall be deemed to have acknowledged and agreed that,
                          with respect to any series of Preferred Partner
                          Interests the proceeds of the sale of which will be
                          used by the Partnership to purchase Subordinated
                          Debentures that may be redeemed by CMS Energy
                          Corporation in its discretion at any time (under
                          certain circumstances), CMS Energy Corporation shall
                          have all rights under the Indenture to redeem such
                          Subordinated Debentures and may redeem such
                          Subordinated Debentures in its discretion,
                          notwithstanding the fact that redemption of such
                          Subordinated Debentures will require the Partnership
                          to redeem Preferred Partner Interests of such series.

                                  (ii)  Notice of any redemption (a "Notice of
                          Redemption") of the Preferred Partner Interests will
                          be given by the Partnership by mail or delivery to
                          each record holder of Preferred Partner Interests to
                          be redeemed not fewer than thirty (30) nor more than
                          sixty (60) days prior to the date fixed for
                          redemption thereof.  For purposes of the calculation
                          of the date of redemption and the dates on which
                          notices are given pursuant to this paragraph (b)(ii),
                          a Notice of Redemption shall be deemed to be given on
                          the





                                      -29-
<PAGE>   30

                          day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail,
                          postage prepaid, or on the date it was delivered in
                          person, receipt acknowledged to the holders of such
                          Preferred Partner Interests.  Each Notice of
                          Redemption shall be addressed to the record holders
                          of the Preferred Partner Interests at the address of
                          the holder appearing in the books and records of the
                          Partnership.  No defect in the Notice of Redemption
                          or in the mailing or delivery thereof or publication
                          of its contents shall affect the validity of the
                          redemption proceedings.

                                  (iii)  The Partnership may not redeem fewer
                          than all Preferred Partner Interests of any given
                          series unless all accrued and unpaid dividends on
                          such series have been paid on all Preferred Partner
                          Interests of such series for all dividend periods
                          terminating on or prior to the date of redemption.
                          Subject to applicable law, CMS Energy Corporation or
                          its subsidiaries may at any time and from time to
                          time purchase outstanding Preferred Partner Interests
                          by tender, in the open market or by private
                          agreement.  If a partial redemption of outstanding
                          Preferred Partner Interests would result in a
                          delisting of a series of Preferred Partner Interests
                          from any national securities exchange on which the
                          series of Preferred Partner Interests is then listed,
                          the Partnership may then only redeem the series of
                          Preferred Partner Interests in whole.

                                  (iv)  If Notice of Redemption shall have been
                          given and payment shall have been made by the
                          Partnership to the record holders of the Preferred
                          Partner Interests, then immediately prior to the
                          close of business on the date of such payment, all
                          rights of the Preferred Partner Interest Owners or
                          holders of such Preferred Partner Interests so called
                          for redemption will cease, except the right of the
                          holders of such securities to receive the Redemption
                          Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price.
                          In the event that any date fixed for redemption of
                          Preferred Partner Interests is not a Business Day,
                          then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such
                          date will be made on the next succeeding day which is
                          a Business Day (and without any interest or other
                          payment in respect of any such delay), except that,
                          if such Business Day falls in the next calendar year,
                          such payment will be made on the immediately
                          preceding Business Day.  In the event that payment of
                          the Redemption Price in respect of 





                                      -30-
<PAGE>   31
                          Preferred Partner Interests is improperly withheld or
                          refused and not made either by the Partnership or by
                          CMS Energy Corporation pursuant to the Guarantee,
                          dividends on such Preferred Partner Interests will
                          continue to accrue at the then applicable rate, from  
                          the original redemption date to the date of payment,
                          in which case the actual payment date will be
                          considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes
                          of calculating the Redemption Price.

                 (c)   Liquidation Distribution.  If, upon any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the
Partnership, the Liquidation Distribution on any series of Preferred Partner
Interests can be paid only in part because the Partnership has insufficient
assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution on all
Preferred Partner Interests, then the amounts payable directly by the
Partnership on such series of Preferred Partner Interests and on all other
series of Preferred Partner Interests shall be paid on a pro rata basis, so
that

                                  (i)  the aggregate amount paid in respect of
                          the Liquidation Distribution bears to the aggregate
                          amount paid as liquidation distributions on all other
                          Preferred Partner Interests the same ratio as

                                  (ii)  the aggregate Liquidation Distribution
                          bears to the aggregate maximum liquidation
                          distributions on the other series of Preferred
                          Partner Interests.

If any Liquidation Distribution shall not be made in cash, the holders of
Preferred Partner Interests of each series shall receive the corresponding
series of Subordinated Debentures held by the Partnership and purchased with
the proceeds of each such series of Preferred Partner Interests in accordance
with the preceding sentence.

                 (d)   Voting Rights.  The Limited Partners shall not have any
right to vote on matters concerning the Partnership except as specifically set
forth in this Agreement, in the Guarantee or as otherwise required by law.  If
(i) the Partnership fails to pay dividends in full on any series of Preferred
Partner Interests for eighteen (18) consecutive monthly dividend periods; (ii)
an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) occurs and is continuing on
any series of Subordinated Debentures; or (iii) CMS Energy Corporation is in
default on any of its payment or other obligations under the Guarantee, then
the holders of the Preferred Partner Interests of such series, together with
the holders of any other series of Preferred Partner Interests having the right
to vote for the appointment of





                                      -31-
<PAGE>   32

a special representative of the Partnership and the Limited Partners (a
"Special Representative") in such event, acting as a single class, will be
entitled by the majority vote of such holders to appoint a Special
Representative and, if an Event of Default occurs, the Special Representative
shall be authorized to enforce the Partnership's creditor rights under the
Subordinated Debentures of such series, to enforce the rights of the holders of
the Preferred Partner Interests of such series under the Guarantee and to
enforce the rights of the holders of the Preferred Partner Interests of such
series to receive dividends on the Preferred Partner Interests of such series.
The Special Representative shall not be admitted as a partner in the
Partnership or otherwise be deemed to be a partner in the Partnership and shall
have no liability for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Partnership.
For purposes of determining whether the Partnership has failed to pay dividends
in full for 18 consecutive monthly dividend periods, dividends shall be deemed
to remain in arrears, notwithstanding any payments in respect thereof, until
full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are paid with respect
to all monthly dividend periods terminating on or prior to the date of payment
of such full cumulative dividends.  Not later than 30 days after such right to
appoint a Special Representative arises, the General Partner will convene a
meeting for the purpose of appointing a Special Representative.  If the General
Partner fails to convene such meeting within such 30-day period, the holders of
not less than 10% of the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding
Preferred Partner Interests will be entitled to convene such meeting.  The
provisions of this Agreement relating to the convening and conduct of the
meetings of Partners will apply with respect to any such meeting.  Any Special
Representative so appointed shall cease to be a Special Representative of the
Partnership and the Limited Partners if the Partnership (or CMS Energy
Corporation pursuant to the Guarantee) shall have paid in full all accrued and
unpaid dividends on the Preferred Partner Interests or such default or breach,
as the case may be, shall have been cured and CMS Energy Corporation, in its
capacity as the General Partner, shall continue the business of the Partnership
without dissolution.  Notwithstanding the appointment of any such Special
Representative, CMS Energy Corporation shall continue as General Partner and
shall retain all rights under the Indenture, including the right to extend the
interest payment period as provided therein.

                 In furtherance of the foregoing, and without limiting the
powers of any Special Representative so appointed and for the avoidance of any
doubt concerning the powers of the special Representative, if an Event of
Default occurs and is continuing, any Special Representative, in its own name
and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a proceeding, including,
without limitation, any suit in equity, an action at law or other judicial or
administrative proceeding, to enforce the Partnership's creditor rights
directly against CMS Energy





                                      -32-
<PAGE>   33

Corporation or any other obligor in connection with such obligations to the
same extent as the Partnership and on behalf of the Partnership, and may pursue
such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and enforce the same against CMS
Energy Corporation or any other obligor in connection with such obligations and
collect, out of the property, wherever situated, of CMS Energy Corporation or
any such other obligor upon such obligations, the monies adjudged or decreed to
be payable in the manner provided by law.

                 If any proposed amendment of this Agreement provides for, or
the General Partner otherwise proposes to effect (pursuant to an Action or
otherwise), (i) any action which would materially adversely affect the powers,
preferences or special rights of any series of Preferred Partner Interests,
or (ii) the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Partnership, other
than (x) in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debentures upon
the occurrence of a Tax Event or (y) as described in Section 13.02(e), then the
holders of outstanding Preferred Partner Interests will be entitled to vote on
such amendment or proposal of the General Partner (but not on any other
amendment or proposal) as a class with all other holders of Preferred Partner
Interests similarly affected, and such amendment or proposal shall not be
effective except with the approval of the holders of 66 2/3% or more of the
aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding Preferred Partner Interests
having a right to vote on the matter; provided, however, that no such approval
shall be required if the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the
Partnership is proposed or initiated upon the initiation of proceedings, or
after proceedings have been initiated, for the dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation or termination of CMS Energy Corporation.  Except as otherwise
provided under Section 11.02 or the Michigan Act, the Partnership will be
dissolved and wound up only with the consent of the holders of all outstanding
Preferred Partner Interests.

                 The rights attached to any series of Preferred Partner
Interests will be deemed not to be adversely affected by the creation or issue
of, and no vote will be required for the creation of, any additional series of
Preferred Partner Interests ranking pari passu with the Preferred Partner
Interests of such series with regard to participation in the profits and
dividends or in the assets of the Partnership.

                 So long as any Subordinated Debentures are held by the
Partnership, the General Partner shall not (i) direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
executing any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such
series, (ii) waive any past default which is waivable under Section 513 of the
Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the
principal of all Subordinated Debentures shall be due and payable or (iv)
consent to any amendment,





                                      -33-
<PAGE>   34

modification or termination of the Indenture, where such consent shall be
required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of
at least 66 2/3% in liquidation preference of all series of Preferred Partner
Interests affected thereby, acting as a single class; provided, however, that
where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of each holder
affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the General Partner without
the prior consent of each holder of all series of Preferred Partner Interests
affected thereby.  The General Partner shall not revoke any action previously
authorized or approved by a vote of any series of Preferred Partner Interests.
The General Partner shall notify all holders of Preferred Partner Interests of
any particular series of any notice of default received from the Trustee with
respect to the Subordinated Debentures purchased with the proceeds of the sale
of that series of Preferred Partner Interests.

                 Any required approval of Preferred Partner Interests may be
given at a separate meeting of such holders convened for such purpose, at a
meeting of all of the Partners or pursuant to written consent.  The Partnership
will cause a notice of any meeting at which holders of any Preferred Partner
Interests are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written
consent of such holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each holder of
Preferred Partner Interests.  Each such notice will include a statement setting
forth (a) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be
taken, (b) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such
meeting on which such holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which
written consent is sought, and (c) instructions for the delivery of proxies or
consents.

                 No vote or consent of the holders of the Preferred Partner
Interests will be required for the Partnership to redeem and cancel the
Preferred Partner Interests in accordance with this Agreement.

                 Notwithstanding that holders of Preferred Partner Interests
are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above,
any of the Preferred Partner Interests that are owned by CMS Energy Corporation
or any entity owned more than 20% by CMS Energy Corporation, either directly or
indirectly, shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for the
purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.

                 (e)  Mergers.  The Partnership shall not consolidate,
amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease
its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any corporation or
other body, except as described below.  The Partnership may, without the
consent of the holders of any series of Preferred Partner Interests,
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a limited





                                     -34-
<PAGE>   35

partnership, limited liability corporation or a trust organized as such under
the laws of any state of the  United States of America; provided, that (i) such
successor entity either (x) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the
Partnership under all series of Preferred Partner Interests or (y) substitutes
for the Preferred Partner Interests then outstanding other securities having
substantially the same terms as such Preferred Partner Interests (the
"Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank, with respect
to participation in the profits and dividends or in the assets of the successor
entity, at least as high as such Preferred Partner Interests rank with respect
to participation in the profits and dividends or in the assets of the
Partnership, (ii) CMS Energy Corporation expressly acknowledges such successor
entity as the holder of the Subordinated Debentures, (iii) any series of
Preferred Partner Interests or any Successor Securities are listed, or any
Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any
national securities exchange or other organization on which any series of
Preferred Partner Interests are then listed, (iv) such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation or replacement does not cause any series of Preferred Partner
Interests (including any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any
nationally recognized statistical rating organization, (v) such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the
powers, preferences and other special rights of the holders of any series of
Preferred Partner Interests (including any Successor Securities) in any
material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of the holders'
interest in the new entity), (vi) such successor entity has a purpose
substantially identical to that of the Partnership and (vii) prior to such
merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, CMS Energy Corporation has
received an opinion of nationally recognized independent counsel to the
Partnership experienced in such matters to the effect that (x) such successor
entity will be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, (y)
following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, CMS Energy
Corporation and such successor entity will be in compliance with the 1940 Act
without registering thereunder as an investment company and (z) such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation or replacement will not adversely affect the
limited liability of the holders of any series of Preferred Partner Interests.

                 (f)  Subordination.  Each Preferred Partner agrees (i) to the
subordination provisions applicable to the Subordinated Debentures, as set
forth in Article Twelve of the Indenture, and (ii) to the subordination
provisions of the Guarantee set forth in Section 3.03 thereof.





                                      -35-
<PAGE>   36



                            ARTICLE XIV - TRANSFERS

                 SECTION 14.01.  TRANSFERS OF PREFERRED PARTNER INTERESTS.
Preferred Partner Interests may be freely transferred by a Preferred Partner.
No Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance
with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.  Any transfer or
purported transfer of any Interest not made in accordance with this Agreement
shall be null and void.

                 SECTION 14.02.  TRANSFER OF CERTIFICATES.  The General Partner
shall provide for the registration of Certificates.  Upon surrender for
registration of transfer of any Certificate, the General Partner shall cause
one or more new Certificates to be issued in the name of the designated
transferee or transferees. Every Certificate surrendered for registration of
transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer and agreement
to be bound by the terms of this Agreement in form satisfactory to the General
Partner duly executed by the Preferred Partner or his attorney duly authorized
in writing.  Each Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall 
be cancelled by the General Partner.  A transferee of a Certificate shall
provide the Partnership with a completed Form W-8 or such other documents or
information as are requested by the Partnership for tax reporting purposes and
thereafter shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Preferred Partner and
shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Preferred
Partner hereunder upon the receipt by such transferee of a Certificate.  The
transferor of a Certificate shall cease to be a limited partner of the
Partnership at the time that the transferee of the Certificate is admitted to
the Partnership as a Preferred Partner in accordance with this Section 14.02.


                 SECTION 14.03.  PERSONS DEEMED PREFERRED PARTNERS.  The
partnership may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate shall be
registered on the books and records of the Partnership as the Preferred Partner
and the sole holder of such Certificate for purposes of receiving distributions
and for all other purposes whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not be bound to
recognize any equitable or other claims to or interest in such Certificate on
the part of any other Person, whether or not the Partnership shall have actual
or other notice thereof.

                 SECTION 14.04.  BOOK ENTRY INTERESTS.  The Certificates, on
original issuance, will be issued in the form of a typewritten Certificate or
Certificates representing the Book Entry Interests to be delivered to The
Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the
partnership.  Such Certificates shall initially be registered on the books and
records of the Partnership in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of the
initial Clearing Agency, and no Preferred Partner Interest Owner will receive a
definitive Certificate representing such Preferred Partner Interest Owner's
interests in





                                     -36-
<PAGE>   37

such Certificate, except as provided in Section 14.06.  Unless and until
definitive, fully registered Certificates (the "Definitive Certificates") have
been issued to the Preferred Partner Interest Owners pursuant to Section 14.06:

                          (a)  The provisions of this Section shall be in full
force and effect;

                          (b)  The Partnership and the General Partner shall be
entitled to deal with the Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Agreement
(including the payment of distributions on the Certificates and receiving
approvals, votes or consents hereunder) as the Preferred Partner and the sole
holder of the Certificates and shall have no obligations to the Preferred
Partner Interest Owners;

                          (c)  The rights of the Preferred Partner Interest
Owners shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited
to those established by law and agreements between such Preferred Partner
Interest Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency
Participants.  Unless or until the Definitive Certificates are issued pursuant
to Section 14.06, the initial Clearing Agency will make book entry transfers
among the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit payments of
distributions on the Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants;

                          (d)  To the extent that the provisions of this
Section conflict with any other provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of
this Section shall control; and

                          (e)  Whenever this Agreement requires or permits
actions to be taken based upon approvals, votes or consents of a percentage of
the Preferred Partners, the Clearing Agency shall be deemed to represent such
percentage only to the extent that it has received instructions to such effect
from the Preferred Partner Interest Owners and/or Clearing Agency Participants
owning or representing, respectively, such required percentage of the
beneficial interests in the Certificates and has delivered such instructions to
the General Partner.

                 SECTION 14.05.  NOTICES TO CLEARING AGENCY.  Whenever a notice
or other communication to the Preferred Partners is required under this
Agreement, unless and until Definitive Certificates shall have been issued
pursuant to Section 14.06, the General Partner shall give all such notices and
communications specified herein to be given to the Preferred Partners to the
Clearing Agency, and shall have no obligations to the Preferred Partner
Interest Owners.





                                     -37-
<PAGE>   38


                 SECTION 14.06.  SUCCESSOR CLEARING AGENCY; DEFINITIVE
CERTIFICATES.  If any Clearing Agency (including the initial Clearing Agency)
shall cease to be qualified under the Exchange Act or shall otherwise cease to
act as depositary for the Preferred Partner Interests, the General Partner may,
in its discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency to act in such capacity.
If (i) the Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities
depository and gives reasonable notice to the Partnership and no successor is
appointed, or (ii) the Partnership elects to terminate the book entry system
through the Clearing Agency, then the Definitive Certificates shall be prepared
by the Partnership.  Upon surrender of the typewritten Certificate or
Certificates representing the Book Entry Interests by the Clearing Agency,
accompanied by registration instructions, the General Partner shall cause the
Definitive Certificates to be delivered to the Preferred Partner Interest
Owners in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency.  The General
Partner shall not be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and
may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, such
instructions.  Any Person receiving a Definitive Certificate in accordance with
this Article XIV shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Preferred Partner
upon receipt of such Definitive Certificate.  The Clearing Agency or the
nominee of the Clearing Agency, as the case may be, shall cease to be a Limited
Partner of the Partnership under this Section 14.06 at the time that at least
one additional Person is admitted to the Partnership as a Preferred Partner in
accordance with this Section 14.06. The Definitive Certificates shall be
printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is
reasonably acceptable to the General Partner, as evidenced by its execution
thereof.  The General Partner will appoint a registrar, transfer agent and
paying agent for the Preferred Partner Interests.  Registration of transfers of
Preferred Partner Interests will be effected without charge by or on behalf of
the Partnership, but upon payment of any tax or other governmental charges
which may be imposed in relation to it.  The Partnership will not be required
to register or cause to be registered the transfer of Preferred Partner
Interests after such Preferred Partner Interests have been called for
redemption.


                              ARTICLE XV - GENERAL

                 SECTION 15.01.  POWER OF ATTORNEY.  (a) The Class A Limited
Partner and each Preferred Partner constitutes and appoints the General Partner
and the Liquidating Trustee as its true and lawful representative and
attorney-in-fact, in its name, place and stead, to make, execute, sign,
acknowledge and deliver or file (i) all instruments, documents and certificates
which may from time to time be required by any law to effectuate, implement and
continue the valid and subsisting existence of the Partnership, (ii) all
instruments, documents and certificates that may be required to effectuate the
dissolution and





                                     -38-
<PAGE>   39

termination of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions hereof and
Michigan law, (iii) all other amendments of this Agreement or the Certificate
of Limited Partnership and other filings contemplated by this Agreement
including, without limitation, amendments reflecting the withdrawal of the
General Partner, or the return, in whole or in part, of the contribution of any
Partner, or the addition, substitution or increased contribution of any
Partner, or any action of the Partners duly taken pursuant to this Agreement
whether or not such Partner voted in favor of or otherwise approved such
action, and (iv) any other instrument, certificate or document required from
time to time to admit a Partner, to effect its substitution as a Partner, to
effect the substitution of the Partner's assignee as a Partner or to reflect
any action of the Partners provided for in this Agreement.

                 (b)  The powers of attorney granted herein (i) shall be deemed
to be coupled with an interest, shall be irrevocable and shall survive the
death, insanity, incompetency or incapacity (or, in the case of a Partner that
is a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or trust,
shall survive the merger, dissolution or other termination of existence) of the
Partner and (ii) shall survive the assignment by the Partner of the whole or
any portion of his Interest, except that where the assignee of the whole or any
portion thereof has furnished a power of attorney, this power of attorney shall
survive such assignment for the sole purpose of enabling the General Partner
and the Liquidating Trustee to execute, acknowledge and file any instrument
necessary to effect any permitted substitution of the assignee for the assignor
as a Partner and shall thereafter terminate.  In the event that the appointment
conferred in this Section 15.01 would not constitute a legal and valid
appointment by any Partner under the laws of the jurisdiction in which such
Partner is incorporated, established or resident, upon the request of the
General Partner or the Liquidating Trustee, such Partner shall deliver to the
General Partner or the Liquidating Trustee a properly authenticated and duly
executed document constituting a legal and valid power of attorney under the
laws of the appropriate jurisdiction covering the matters set forth in this
Section 15.01.

                 (c)  The General Partner may require a power of attorney to be
executed by a transferee of a Partner as a condition of its admission as a
substitute Partner.

                 SECTION 15.02.  WAIVER OF PARTITION.  Each Partner hereby
irrevocably waives any and all rights that it may have to maintain an action
for partition of any of the Partnership's property or assets.

                 SECTION 15.03.  NOTICES.  Any notice permitted or required to
be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (i) on the day
the notice is first mailed to a





                                     -39-
<PAGE>   40

Partner by first class mail, postage prepaid, or (ii) on the date it was
delivered in person to a Partner, receipt acknowledged, at its address
appearing on the books and records of the Partnership.  Another address may be
designated by a Partner by such Partner giving notice of its new address as
provided in this Section 15.03.

                 SECTION 15.04.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement, including
the exhibits annexed hereto and incorporated by reference herein, contains the
entire agreement of the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings, oral or otherwise, among the parties hereto with respect to the
matters contained herein.

                 SECTION 15.05.  WAIVERS.  Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, no purported waiver by any party of any breach by another
party of any of his obligations, agreements or covenants hereunder, or any part
thereof, shall be effective unless made in a writing executed by the party or
parties sought to be bound thereby, and no failure to pursue or elect any
remedy with respect to any default under or breach of any provision of this
Agreement, or any part hereof, shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other
subsequent similar or different default or breach, or any election of remedies
available in connection therewith, nor shall the acceptance or receipt by any
party of any money or other consideration due him under this Agreement,
with or without knowledge of any breach hereunder, constitute a waiver of any
provision of this Agreement with respect to such or any other breach.

                 SECTION 15.06.  HEADINGS.  The section headings herein
contained have been inserted only as a matter of convenience of reference and
in no way define, limit or describe the scope or intent of any provisions of
this Agreement nor in any way affect any such provisions.

                 SECTION 15.07.  SEPARABILITY.  Each provision of this
Agreement shall be considered to be separable, and if, for any reason, any such
provision or provisions, or any part thereof, is determined to be invalid and
contrary to any existing or future applicable law, such invalidity shall not
impair the operation of, or affect, those portions of this Agreement which are
valid, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced in all respects as if
such invalid or unenforceable provision or provisions had been omitted.

                 SECTION 15.08.  CONTRACT CONSTRUCTION.  Whenever the content
of this Agreement permits, the masculine gender shall include the feminine and
neuter genders, and reference to singular or plural shall be interchangeable
with the other. References in this Agreement to particular sections of the Code
or to provisions of the Michigan Act shall be deemed to refer to





                                      -40-
<PAGE>   41

such sections or provisions as they may be amended after the date of this
Agreement.

                 SECTION 15.09.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed
in one or more counterparts and each of such counterparts for all purposes
shall be deemed to be an original, but all of such counterparts, when taken
together, shall constitute but one and the same instrument, binding upon all
parties hereto, notwithstanding that all of such parties may not have executed
the same counterpart.

                 SECTION 15.10.  BENEFIT.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
and assigns, but shall not be deemed for the benefit of creditors or any other
Persons, nor shall it be deemed to permit any assignment by a Partner of any of
its rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided herein.

                 SECTION 15.11.  FURTHER ACTIONS.  Each of the Partners hereby
agrees that it shall hereafter execute and deliver such further instruments and
do such further acts and things as may be required or useful to carry out the
intent and purposes of this Agreement and as are not inconsistent with the
terms hereof.

                 SECTION 15.12.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State
of Michigan, without regard to conflicts of laws.

                 SECTION 15.13.  AMENDMENTS.  Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein or as otherwise required by law, this Agreement or any Action
may only be amended by a written instrument executed by the General Partner
provided, however, that any amendment which would adversely affect the powers,
preferences or special rights of any series of Preferred Partner Interests may
be effected only as permitted by the terms of such series of Preferred Partner
Interests.





                                      -41-
<PAGE>   42


                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.


                                                  GENERAL PARTNER:

                                                  CMS ENERGY CORPORATION



                                           ___________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:



                                       CMS ENERGY FINANCE CORPORATION

                                       CLASS A LIMITED PARTNER



                                           ____________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:





                                      -42-

<PAGE>   1





                                                                  EXHIBIT 4(j)



                        PAYMENT AND GUARANTEE AGREEMENT



   THIS PAYMENT AND GUARANTEE AGREEMENT ("Guarantee Agreement"), dated as of
_______________, 1995, is executed and delivered by CMS Energy Corporation, a
Michigan corporation (the "Guarantor"), for the benefit of the Holders (as
defined below) from time to time of the Series _A_ Preferred Securities (as
defined below) of CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership, a Michigan limited
partnership ("CMS Energy Michigan").

   WHEREAS, CMS Energy Michigan is issuing on the date hereof $_______________
aggregate stated liquidation preference of limited partner interests of a       
series designated the ___ % Cumulative Preferred Securities, Series _A_  (the
"Series _A_  Preferred Securities"), and the Guarantor desires to enter into
this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders, as provided herein;

   WHEREAS, CMS Energy Michigan will loan the proceeds from the issuance and
sale of the Series _A_  Preferred Securities and the related capital
contribution of the General Partner to CMS Energy Michigan (the "G.P. Capital
Contribution") to the Guarantor, and the Guarantor will issue Subordinated
Debentures in accordance with the Indenture (as such terms are defined below)
to evidence such loan; and

   WHEREAS, the Guarantor desires to irrevocably and unconditionally agree to
the extent set forth herein to pay to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (as
defined below) and to make certain other undertakings on the terms and
conditions set forth herein.

   NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other consideration,
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guarantor, intending to be legally
bound hereby, agrees as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

   As used in this Guarantee Agreement, each term set forth below shall, unless
the context otherwise requires, have the following meaning.  Each capitalized
term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to
such term in the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of CMS
Energy Michigan dated as of _______________, 1995 (the "Limited Partnership
Agreement").
<PAGE>   2

   "Board Resolution" means the resolution of the committee of the Board of
Directors of the Guarantor dated ___________, 1995 relating to the Guarantor's
______% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debt Securities, Series A, 
Due _______ (the "Series A Subordinated Debentures").

   "Extension Period" has the meaning specified in the Board Resolution.

   "Guarantee Payments" shall mean the following payments, without duplication,
to the extent not paid by CMS Energy Michigan:  (i) any accrued and unpaid
dividends which are required to be paid on the Series A Preferred Securities,
to the extent CMS Energy Michigan shall have funds on hand sufficient to make
such payment and funds legally available therefor, (ii) the Redemption Price
(as defined below) payable out of funds legally available therefor with respect 
to any Series A  Preferred Securities called for redemption by CMS Energy
Michigan, (iii) upon a liquidation of CMS Energy Michigan, the lesser of (a)
the Liquidation Distribution (as defined below) and (b) the amount of assets of
CMS Energy Michigan available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of CMS
Energy Michigan and (iv) any Additional Amounts (as such term is defined in the
Action of the General Partner creating the Series A Preferred Securities under
the Limited Partnership Agreement) payable by CMS Energy Michigan in respect of
the Series A Preferred Securities.

   "Holder" shall mean any person in whose name a Series A Preferred
Security is registered on the registration books maintained by CMS Energy
Michigan; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite percentage of Series A Preferred Securities have given any
request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not include the
Guarantor or any entity owned more than 50% by the Guarantor, either directly
or indirectly.

   "Indenture" shall mean the Indenture, dated September 15, 1992, between the
Guarantor and NBD Bank, N.A. and the Board Resolution, pursuant to which the
Guarantor has issued its Series A Subordinated Debentures in an amount equal to
the sum of the aggregate stated liquidation preference of the Series A
Preferred Securities plus the G.P. Capital Contribution.

   "Liquidation Distribution" shall mean the aggregate of the stated
liquidation preference of $25 per Series A Preferred Security and all unpaid
dividends to the date of payment.

   "Redemption Price" shall mean the aggregate of $25 per Series A Preferred
Security and all unpaid dividends to the date fixed for redemption.

   "Special Representative" shall mean any representative of the holders of the
limited partner interests of CMS Energy

                                     -2-
<PAGE>   3

Michigan appointed pursuant to Section 13.02(d) of the Limited Partnership
Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE II

   SECTION 2.01.  The Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments, as and when due
(except to the extent paid by CMS Energy Michigan), to the fullest extent
permitted by law, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or        
counterclaim which the Guarantor may have or assert against CMS Energy          
Michigan or the General Partner.  The Guarantor's obligation to make a
Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment by the Guarantor to the
Holders or by payment of such amounts by CMS Energy Michigan to the Holders. 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Guarantor retains all of
its rights under the Indenture to extend the interest payment period on the
Series _A_  Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantor shall not be obligated
hereunder to pay during an Extension Period any monthly distributions on the
Series _A_  Preferred Securities.

   SECTION 2.02.  The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this   
Guarantee Agreement and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,      
presentment, demand for payment, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of
dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

   SECTION 2.03.  Except as otherwise set forth herein, the obligations,
covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee
Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening
from time to time of any of the following:

                (a)  the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise,
         of the  performance or observance by CMS Energy Michigan of any
         express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to
         the Series _A_ Preferred Securities to be performed or observed by CMS
         Energy Michigan;

                (b)  the extension of time for the payment by CMS Energy
         Michigan of all or any portion of the  dividends (other than an
         extension of time for the payment of dividends that results from the
         extension of the interest payment period on  the Series _A_
         Subordinated Debentures), Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution
         or any other sums payable under the terms of the Series _A_  Preferred
         Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other
         obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Series
         _A_  Preferred Securities;

                (c)  any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the
         parts of the Holders or the Special Representative to


                                     -3-


<PAGE>   4

         enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
         conferred on the Holders or the Special Representative pursuant to the
         terms of the Series _A_  Preferred Securities, or any action on the
         part of CMS Energy Michigan granting indulgence or extension of any
         kind; 

                (d)  the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution,
         receivership,  insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
         creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of
         debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, CMS Energy Michigan
         or any of the assets of CMS Energy Michigan;

                (e)  any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, any   of
         the Series _A_ Preferred Securities;

                (f)  the settlement or compromise of any obligation   
         guaranteed hereby or hereby incurred; or

                (g)  any other circumstances whatsoever that might   otherwise
         constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor,
         it being the intent of this Section 2.03 that the obligations of the
         Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and
         all circumstances.

There shall be no obligation to the Holders to give notice to, or obtain the
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the occurrence of any of the
foregoing.

   SECTION 2.04.  The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that (i) this Guarantee
Agreement will be deposited with the General Partner to be held for the benefit
of the Holders; (ii) in the event of the appointment of a Special
Representative, the Special Representative may enforce this Guarantee Agreement
and may take possession of this Guarantee Agreement for such purpose; (iii) if
no Special Representative has been appointed, the General Partner has the right
to enforce this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (iv) the Holders
of not less than 10% in aggregate stated liquidation preference of the Series
_A_  Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available in respect of this
Guarantee Agreement including the giving of directions to the General Partner
or the Special Representative as the case may be; and (v) if the General
Partner or Special Representative fails to enforce this Guarantee Agreement as
above provided any Holder may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Guarantee Agreement, without first
instituting a legal proceeding against CMS Energy Michigan or any other person
or entity.


                                     -4-

<PAGE>   5

   SECTION 2.05.  This is a guarantee of payment and not of collection.  A
Holder or the Special Representative may enforce this Guarantee Agreement
directly against the Guarantor, and the Guarantor will waive any right or
remedy to require that any action be brought against CMS Energy Michigan or any
other person or entity before proceeding against the Guarantor.  The Guarantor
agrees that this Guarantee Agreement shall not be discharged except by payment
of the Guarantee Payments in full (to the extent not paid by CMS Energy
Michigan) and by complete performance of all obligations of the Guarantor
contained in this Guarantee Agreement.

   SECTION 2.06.  The Guarantor will be subrogated to all rights of the Holders
against CMS Energy Michigan in respect of any amounts paid to the Holders by
the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement and shall have the right to waive
payment by CMS Energy Michigan pursuant to Section 2.01; provided, however,
that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory
provisions of law) exercise any rights which it may acquire by way of
subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as
a result of a payment under this Guarantee Agreement, if, at the time of any
such payment, any amounts remain due and unpaid under this Guarantee Agreement.
If  any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding
sentence, the Guarantor agrees to pay over such amount to the Holders.

   SECTION 2.07.  The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of CMS Energy Michigan with respect to the
Series _A_  Preferred Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as
principal and sole debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the
terms of this Guarantee Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event
referred to in subsections (a) through (f), inclusive, of Section 2.03 hereof.


                                  ARTICLE III

   SECTION 3.01.  So long as any Series _A_  Preferred Securities remain
outstanding, the Guarantor shall not declare or pay any dividend on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its
capital stock if at such time the Guarantor shall be in default with respect to
its payment or other obligations hereunder or there shall have occurred any
event that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would
constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture.

   SECTION 3.02.  So long as any Series _A_  Preferred Securities are
outstanding, the Guarantor agrees to maintain its corporate existence; provided
that the Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, convey,
transfer or lease


                                     -5-
<PAGE>   6

all or substantially all of its assets (either in one transaction or a series
of transactions) to, any person, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture association, joint stock company, trust or
unincorporated association if such entity formed by or surviving such
consolidation or merger or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease
shall have been made, if other than the Guarantor, (i) is organized and
existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or
the District of Columbia, and (ii) shall expressly assume all the obligations
of the Guarantor under this Agreement.

   SECTION 3.03.  This Guarantee Agreement will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right
of payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, except those made pari
passu by their terms, (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or
preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with any
guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in respect of any
preferred or preference stock of any affiliate of the Guarantor and (iii)
senior to the Guarantor's common stock.


                                   ARTICLE IV

   This Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and
effect upon full payment of the Redemption Price of all Series _A_ Preferred
Securities or upon full payment of the amounts payable to the Holders upon
liquidation of CMS Energy Michigan; provided, however, that this Guarantee
Agreement shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case
may be, if at any time any Holder must restore payments of any sums paid under
the Series _A_  Preferred Securities or under this Guarantee Agreement for any
reason whatsoever.


                                   ARTICLE V

   SECTION 5.01.  All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee
Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders.
Except as provided in Section 3.02, the Guarantor may not assign its
obligations hereunder without the prior approval of the Holders of not less
than 66 2/3% of the aggregate stated liquidation preference of all Series _A_
Preferred Securities then outstanding.

   SECTION 5.02.  This Guarantee Agreement may only be amended by a written
instrument executed by the Guarantor; provided that, so long as any of the
Series _A_  Preferred Securities remain outstanding, any such amendment that
adversely affects the holders of Series _A_  Preferred Securities, any
termination of this Guarantee Agreement and any waiver of


                                     -6-
<PAGE>   7

compliance with any covenant hereunder shall be effected only with the prior
approval of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the aggregate liquidation
preference of all Series _A_  Preferred Securities then outstanding.

   SECTION 5.03.  All notices, requests or other communications required or
permitted to be given hereunder to the Guarantor shall be deemed given if in
writing and delivered personally or by recognized overnight courier or express
mail service or by facsimile transmission (confirmed in writing) or by
registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), addressed to the
Guarantor at the following address (or at such other address as shall be
specified by notice to the Holders):

                                           CMS Energy Corporation
                                           Fairlane Plaza South
                                           Suite 1100
                                           330 Town Center Drive
                                           Dearborn, Michigan  48126

                                           Facsimile No.: (313) ________
                                           Attention:  _________

   All notices, requests or other communications required or permitted to be
given hereunder to the Holders shall be deemed given if in writing and
delivered by the Guarantor in the same manner as notices sent by CMS Energy
Michigan to the Holders.

   SECTION 5.04.  This Guarantee Agreement is solely for the benefit of the
Holders and is not separately transferable from the Series _A_ Preferred
Securities.

   SECTION 5.05.  THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF [MICHIGAN] WITHOUT
GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this
Guarantee Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                                                  CMS ENERGY CORPORATION


                                                  By:___________________________
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:



                                     -7-

<PAGE>   1





                                                                     EXHIBIT (5)



                     [Letterhead of CMS Energy Corporation]




CMS Energy Corporation
CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
330 Town Center Road
Dearborn, Michigan  38126


   I refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement") being filed by CMS Energy Corporation, a Michigan corporation ("CMS
Energy"), and CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership, a Michigan limited
partnership ("CMS Energy Michigan"), as co-registrants, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), relating to the shelf registration of $200,000,000 of
securities (the "Securities") of CMS Energy and CMS Energy Michigan.
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings
specified in the Registration Statement.

   I am familiar with the proceedings to date with respect to the proposed
issuance and sale of the Securities and have examined such records, documents
and questions of law, and satisfied myself as to such matters of fact, as I
have considered relevant and necessary as a basis for this opinion.

   Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:

                1.  CMS Energy is duly incorporated and validly existing under
         the laws of the State of Michigan.  CMS Energy Michigan has been duly
         formed and is validly existing as a limited partnership under the laws
         of the State of Michigan.

                2.  CMS Energy has corporate power and authority to execute and
         deliver the Subordinated Debt Indenture and to authorize and sell the
         Subordinated Debt Securities pursuant thereto, and to sell the Senior
         Debt Securities pursuant to the Senior Debt Indenture.

                3.  Each series of Debt Securities will be legally issued and
         binding obligations of (except to the extent enforceability may be
         limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
         moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws affecting the
         enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by the effect of
         general principles of equity, regardless of whether
<PAGE>   2

         enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law)
         when:  (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including
         any necessary post-effective amendments), shall have become effective
         under the Securities   Act and the Subordinated Debt Indenture
         (including any necessary supplemental indenture) shall have been
         qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and duly
         executed and delivered by CMS Energy and the Subordinated Debt
         Trustee; (ii) a Prospectus Supplement with respect to such series of
         Debt Securities shall have been filed (or mailed for filing) with the
         SEC pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; (iii) CMS Energy's
         Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have
         duly adopted final resolutions authorizing the issuance and sale of
         such series of Debt Securities as contemplated by the Registration
         Statement and the Subordinated Debt Indenture or the Senior Debt
         Indenture, as the case may be; and (iv) such series of Debt Securities
         shall have been duly executed and authenticated as provided in the
         Subordinated Debt Indenture or the Senior Debt Indenture, as the case
         may be, and such resolutions, and shall have been duly delivered to
         the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration
         therefor.

                4.  The CMS Energy Common Stock, the Class G Common Stock and
         the CMS Energy Preferred Stock will be legally issued, fully paid and
         non-assessable when:  (i) the Registration Statement, as finally
         amended, shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) in
         the case of the Class G Common Stock only, the shareholders of CMS
         Energy shall have approved the Charter Amendment and the Certificate
         of Amendment shall have been filed with the Michigan Department of
         Commerce; (iii) CMS Energy's Board of Directors or a duly authorized
         committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions
         authorizing the issuance and sale of the CMS Energy Common Stock,
         Class G Common Stock or CMS Energy Preferred Stock, as the case may
         be, as contemplated by the Registration Statement; (iv) in the case of
         the CMS Energy Preferred Stock only, a certificate of designation
         relating to the series of CMS Energy Preferred Stock to be issued and
         sold, as contemplated by the Redemption Statement, shall have been
         filed with the Michigan Department of Commerce; and (v) certificates
         representing the CMS Energy Common Stock, Class G Common Stock and CMS
         Energy Preferred Stock, as the case may be, shall have been duly
         executed, countersigned and registered and duly delivered to the
         purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration
         therefor.
<PAGE>   3




                5.  The CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities, which are
         covered by the Registrations Statement, will be legally issued, fully
         paid and, assuming that the holders of the CMS Energy Michigan
         Preferred Securities as limited partners of CMS Energy Michigan do not
         participate in the control of the business of CMS Energy Michigan,
         non-assessable limited partner interest in CMS Energy Michigan when:
         (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended, shall have become
         effective under the Securities Act; (ii) CMS Energy, as general
         partner of CMS Energy Michigan, shall have duly adopted an Action or
         Actions providing for the issuance and sale of such CMS Energy
         Michigan Preferred Securities and the terms thereof, as provided in
         the Registration Statement, and such Action or Actions shall have been
         filed with the Michigan Department of Commerce; and (iii) certificates
         representing the CMS Energy Michigan Preferred Securities shall have
         been duly executed, countersigned and registered and duly delivered to
         the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration
         therefor.

       For the purposes of this opinion, I have assumed that there will be no
changes in the laws currently applicable to CMS Energy and CMS Energy Michigan,
respectively, and that such laws will be the only laws applicable to CMS Energy
and CMS Energy Michigan, respectively.

       I do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion to cover,
and accordingly I express no opinion as to, the application of the securities
or blue sky laws of the various states to sales of the Securities.

       I am a member of the bar of the State of Michigan and I express no
opinion as to the law of any jurisdiction other than State of Michigan and the
federal law of the United States of America.

       I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to all references to me included in or made a part
of the Registration Statement.

                                                 Very truly yours,


                                                 /s/ DENISE M. STURDY
                                                 ----------------------------
                                                 Denise M. Sturdy
                                                 Assistant General Counsel

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT (8)

                               SIDLEY & AUSTIN

                               February 14, 1995



CMS Energy Corporation
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
330 Town Center Drive
Dearborn, Michigan  48126


Ladies and Gentlemen:

   We are special counsel to CMS Energy Corporation ("CMS Energy").  We have
been requested by CMS Energy to render this opinion in connection with the
proposed offer and sale of a class of common stock of CMS Energy which will be
designated as Class G Common Stock, as more fully described in the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission by CMS Energy and CMS Energy Michigan
Limited Partnership on February 15, 1995, and the prospectus included in the
Registration Statement with respect to the offer and sale of the Class G Common
Stock.  Defined terms not otherwise defined herein have the meaning ascribed to
them in the Registration Statement.

   Based upon our review of the Registration Statement and such other documents
as we have deemed necessary, we are of the opinion that, assuming the terms of
the Class G Common Stock are as described in the Registration Statement and all
events occur as contemplated in the Registration Statement and subject to the
same qualifications and limitations described therein, under the federal income
tax law in effect on the date hereof:

     (i)  the CMS Energy Common Stock and the Class G Common Stock each will be
   treated as Common Stock of CMS Energy;

     (ii)  CMS Energy will not recognize any income, gain or loss as a result
   of the offering and sale of the Class G Common Stock;

     (iii)  a holder of Class G Common Stock will not recognize any income,
   gain or loss upon the exchange of
<PAGE>   2
CMS Energy Corporation
February 14, 1995
Page 2


   Class G Common Stock for CMS Energy Common Stock, either pursuant to CMS
   Energy's option or upon the Disposition of all or substantially all of the
   assets of the Consumers Gas Group, except for cash received in lieu of
   fractional shares; and

     (iv)  the tax basis of CMS Energy Common Stock received in such exchange
   will be the tax basis of the Class G Common Stock exchanged therefor, and,
   assuming that the Class G Common Stock is held as a capital asset, the
   holding period of such CMS Energy Common Stock will include the holding
   period of such Class G Common Stock.

   We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to all references to our Firm included in or made a
part of the Registration Statement.  In giving this consent, we do not thereby
admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.



                                                               Very truly yours,

                                                               Sidley & Austin


                                     -2-


 

<PAGE>   1





                                                                    EXHIBIT (12)
                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
                       Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                             (Millions of Dollars)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             
                                                  
                                             Twelve Months                  Years Ended December 31           
                                                Ended          ----------------------------------------------
                                             Sept. 30, 1994     1993      1992      1991       1990      1989 
                                             --------------    ------    ------    ------     ------    ------
                                                                           (b)     (c)(d)       (e)
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
Earnings as defined (a)
- -----------------------
Net income                                           $ 175     $ 155     $(297)    $(262)     $(494)    $ 312
Income taxes                                            94        75      (146)      (94)        25       170
Exclude equity basis subsidiaries                      (14)       (6)       10        10         13         1
Fixed charges as defined, adjusted to
  exclude capitalized interest of $6,
  $5, $3, $5, $38 and $177 million for
  the twelve months ended September 30, 1994
  and for the years ended December 31,
  1993, 1992, 1991, 1990 and 1989,
  respectively                                         212       234       217       354        306       188 
                                                     ------    ------    ------    ------     ------    ------

Earnings as defined                                  $ 467     $ 458     $(216)    $   8      $(150)    $ 671 
                                                     ======    ======    ======    ======     ======    ======


Fixed charges as defined (a)
- ----------------------------
Interest on long-term debt                           $ 191     $ 204     $ 169     $ 274      $ 293     $ 314
Estimated interest portion of lease rental              10        11        16        17         18        15
Other interest charges                                  18        24        35        68         33        33
Include equity basis subsidiaries                        -         -         -         -          -         3 
                                                     ------    ------    ------    ------     ------    ------

Fixed charges as defined                             $ 219     $ 239     $ 220     $ 359      $ 344     $ 365 
                                                     ======    ======    ======    ======     ======    ======


Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                    2.13      1.92         -         -          -      1.84 
                                                     ======    ======    ======    ======     ======    ======
</TABLE>


NOTES:
(a) Earnings and fixed charges as defined in instructions for Item 503 of
Regulation S-K.

(b) For the year ended December 31, 1992, fixed charges exceeded earnings by
$441 million.  Earnings as defined include a $520 million pre-tax loss on the
settlement of MCV Power Purchases, $(15) million for potential customer refunds
and other reserves related to 1992 but recorded in 1991, and $6 million
relating to CMS Generation Company's reduction in its investment in The Oxford
Energy Company.  The ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 1.34
excluding these amounts.

(c) Excludes an extraordinary after-tax loss of $14 million.

(d) For the year ended December 31, 1991, fixed charges exceeded earnings by
$356 million.  Earnings as defined include pre-tax losses of $398 million for
write-downs and reserve amounts related to the abandonment of the Midland
nuclear plant, $76 million for potential customer refunds and other reserves,
and $51 million relating to CMS Generation Company's reduction in its
investment in The Oxford Energy Company.  The ratio of earnings to fixed
charges would have been 1.48 excluding these amounts.

(e) For the year ended December 31, 1990, fixed charges exceeded earnings by
$500 million.  Earnings as defined include pre-tax losses of $847 million for
write-downs and reserve amounts related to the abandonment of the Midland
nuclear plant.  The ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 2.01
excluding these amounts.
<PAGE>   2


                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
        Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends
                             (Millions of Dollars)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             
                                                  
                                             Twelve Months                  Years Ended December 31           
                                                 Ended          ----------------------------------------------
                                             Sept. 30, 1994     1993      1992      1991       1990      1989 
                                             --------------    ------    ------    ------     ------    ------
                                                                           (b)     (c)(d)       (e)
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
Earnings as defined (a)
- -----------------------
Net income                                           $ 175     $ 155     $(297)    $(262)     $(494)    $ 312
Income taxes                                            94        75      (146)      (94)        25       170
Exclude equity basis subsidiaries                      (14)       (6)       10        10         13         1
Fixed charges as defined, adjusted to
  exclude capitalized interest of $6,
  $5, $3, $5, $38 and $177 million for
  the twelve months ended September 30, 1994
  and for the years ended December 31,
  1993, 1992, 1991, 1990 and 1989,
  respectively                                         232       245       228       364        317       207 
                                                     ------    ------    ------    ------     ------    ------

Earnings as defined                                  $ 487     $ 469     $(205)    $  18      $(139)    $ 690 
                                                     ======    ======    ======    ======     ======    ======
Fixed charges as defined (a)
- ----------------------------
Interest on long-term debt                           $ 191     $ 204     $ 169     $ 274      $ 293     $ 314
Estimated interest portion of lease rental              10        11        16        17         18        15
Other interest charges                                  18        24        35        68         33        33
Include equity basis subsidiaries                        -         -         -         -          -         3
Preferred stock dividend                                30        17        16        15         17        28 
                                                     ------    ------    ------    ------     ------    ------
Fixed charges as defined                             $ 249     $ 256     $ 236     $ 374      $ 361     $ 393 
                                                     ======    ======    ======    ======     ======    ======
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
  and preferred dividends                             1.96      1.83         -         -          -      1.76 
                                                     ======    ======    ======    ======     ======    ======
</TABLE>


NOTES:
(a) Earnings and fixed charges as defined in instructions for Item 503 of
Regulation S-K.

(b) For the year ended December 31, 1992, fixed charges exceeded earnings by
$441 million.  Earnings as defined include a $520 million pre-tax loss on the
settlement of MCV Power Purchases, $(15) million for potential customer refunds
and other reserves related to 1992 but recorded in 1991, and $6 million
relating to CMS Generation Company's reduction in its investment in The Oxford
Energy Company.  The ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 1.30
excluding these amounts.

(c) Excludes an extraordinary after-tax loss of $14 million.

(d) For the year ended December 31, 1991, fixed charges exceeded earnings by
$356 million.  Earnings as defined include pre-tax losses of $398 million for
write-downs and reserve amounts related to the abandonment of the Midland
nuclear plant, $76 million for potential customer refunds and other reserves,
and $51 million relating to CMS Generation Company's reduction in its
investment in The Oxford Energy Company.  The ratio of earnings to fixed
charges would have been 1.45 excluding these amounts.

(e) For the year ended December 31, 1990, fixed charges exceeded earnings by
$500 million.  Earnings as defined include pre-tax losses of $847 million for
write-downs and reserve amounts related to the abandonment of the Midland
nuclear plant.  The ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 1.96
excluding these amounts.

<PAGE>   1




                                                                 EXHIBIT (23)(c)


                              ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP





                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our reports dated January 28, 1994
included or incorporated by reference in CMS Energy Corporation's Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1993 and to all references to our Firm included in
this registration statement.




                                                         /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP



Detroit, Michigan,
 February 13, 1995.
<PAGE>   2



                              ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP





To CMS Energy Corporation:

We are aware that CMS Energy Corporation has incorporated by reference in this
registration statement its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1994, for
the quarter ended June 30, 1994 and for the quarter ended September 30, 1994,
which include our reports dated May 10, 1994, August 8, 1994 and November 10,
1994, respectively, covering the unaudited interim financial information
contained therein.  Pursuant to Regulation C of the Securities Act of 1933,
those reports are not considered a part of the registration statement prepared
or certified by our Firm or reports prepared or certified by our Firm within
the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.




                                                         /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP



Detroit, Michigan,
 February 13, 1995.

<PAGE>   1
                            CMS Energy Letterhead


                                                                    EXHIBIT (24)

January 28, 1995


Mr. Alan M. Wright and
Mr. Thomas A. McNish
CMS Energy Corporation
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
330 Town Center Drive
Dearborn, MI 48126

CMS Energy Corporation proposes to file a registration statement(s) on Form S-3
with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the proposed issue
and sale of one or more of Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt
Securities, CMS Energy Corporation Common Stock, par value $.01 per share,
Class G Common Stock, no par value, Preferred Stock, no par value, Guarantee
with respect to CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership Preferred Securities,
and CMS Energy Michigan Limited Partnership Preferred Securities.

We hereby appoint each of you lawful attorney for each of us and in each of our
names to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and The New York Stock Exchange a registration statement and/or any appropriate
amendment or amendments to said registration statement(s) and other necessary
documents required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
The New York Stock Exchange.


/s/ William T. McCormick                           /s/ William U. Parfet
- ---------------------------                        ---------------------------
William T. McCormick, Jr.                          William U. Parfet


/s/ James J. Duderstadt                            /s/ Percy A. Pierre
- ---------------------------                        ---------------------------
James J. Duderstadt                                Percy A. Pierre


/s/ Kathleen R. Flaherty                           /s/ S. Kinnie Smith
- ---------------------------                        ---------------------------
Kathleen R. Flaherty                               S. Kinnie Smith, Jr.


/s/ Victor J. Fryling                              /s/ Robert D. Tuttle
- ---------------------------                        ---------------------------
Victor J. Fryling                                  Robert D. Tuttle

/s/ Earl D. Holton                                 /s/ Kenneth Whipple
- ---------------------------                        ---------------------------
Earl D. Holton                                     Kenneth Whipple


/s/ Lois A. Lund                                   /s/ John B. Yasinksy
- ---------------------------                        ---------------------------
Lois A. Lund                                       John B. Yasinsky


- ---------------------------                        
Frank H. Merlotti

<PAGE>   1





                                                                 EXHIBIT (25)(a)
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                            _______________________

                                    FORM T-1

                            _______________________

                   STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION
 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, AS AMENDED, OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED
                               TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

   CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                             SECTION 305(b)(2) ___

                          ____________________________

                                    NBD BANK
              (Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>        <C>
           611 Woodward Avenue
            Detroit, Michigan                48226                  38-0864715
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
</TABLE>


                                    NBD BANK
                               611 WOODWARD AVE.
                            DETROIT, MICHIGAN  48226
                           CORPORATE TRUST DEPARTMENT
                    ATTN: TERESE M. DECLERCQ (313) 225-3184
           (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)

                             CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>
                        Michigan                                             38-2726431
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
</TABLE>


                       FAIRLANE PLAZA SOUTH, SUITE 1100
                             330 TOWN CENTER DRIVE
                               DEARBORN, MICHIGAN                     48126
                    (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

                         $           % DEBT SECURITIES
                      (Title of the indenture securities)
<PAGE>   2


1. GENERAL INFORMATION

    (a)  The following are the names and addresses of each
         examining or supervising authority to which the Trustee is subject:

         State of Michigan Financial Institutions Bureau

         Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

         Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

    (b)  The Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust
         powers.

2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

    The obligor is not an affiliate of the Trustee.

3.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

    The following information is furnished as to each class of voting
    securities of the Trustee:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    AS OF FEBRUARY 10, 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
              COLUMN A                             COLUMN B
            TITLE OF CLASS                     AMOUNT OUTSTANDING
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    <S>                                         <C>
    Common Stock, par value $12.50 per share    8,948,648 shares
</TABLE>

4.  TRUSTEESHIPS UNDER OTHER INDENTURES.

    The Trustee also serves as Trustee, under Indenture dated as of September   
    15, 1992, as supplemented October 1, 1992, under which the Company issued   
    $172,000,000 Series A Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 10-1-1997 and
    $294,000,000 Series B Senior Deferred Coupon Notes Due 10-1-1999.

5.  INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES AND SIMILAR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OBLIGOR
    OR UNDERWRITERS.

    Neither the Trustee nor any of the directors nor executive officers of the
    Trustee is a director, officer, partner, employee, appointee or
    representative of the obligor or of any underwriter for the obligor, except 
    William T. McCormick, Jr., who is a Director of the Trustee and Chairman and
    Chief Executive Officer of the obligor.


                                      2

<PAGE>   3





6.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY THE OBLIGOR OR ITS OFFICIALS.

    Voting securities of the Trustee owned by the obligor and its directors,
    partners and executive officers, taken as a group, do not exceed one
    percent of the outstanding voting securities of the Trustee.

7.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY UNDERWRITERS OR THEIR OFFICIALS.

    Voting securities of the Trustee owned by any underwriter and its   
    directors, partners and executive officers, taken as a group, do not exceed
    one percent of the outstanding voting securities of the Trustee.


8.  SECURITIES OF OBLIGOR OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

    The amount of securities of the obligor which the Trustee owns beneficially
    or holds as collateral security for obligations in default does not exceed
    one percent of the outstanding securities of the obligor.

9.  SECURITIES OF UNDERWRITERS OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

    The Trustee does not own beneficially or hold as collateral security for
    obligations in default any securities of an underwriter for the obligor.

10. OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF VOTING SECURITIES OF CERTAIN
    AFFILIATES OR SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE OBLIGOR.

    The Trustee does not own beneficially or hold as collateral security for
    obligations in default voting securities of a person who, to the knowledge
    of the Trustee (1) owns 10% or more of the voting securities of the
    obligor, or (2) is an affiliate, other than a subsidiary, of the obligor.


11. OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON OWNING 
    50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR.

    The Trustee does not own beneficially or hold as collateral security for
    obligations in default any securities of a person who, to the knowledge of
    the Trustee, owns 50 percent or more of the voting securities of the
    obligor.





                                       3
<PAGE>   4


12. INDEBTEDNESS OF THE OBLIGOR TO THE TRUSTEE.

    The obligor is not indebted to the Trustee.

14. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS.

    No underwriter is an affiliate of the Trustee.

15. FOREIGN TRUSTEE.

    Not applicable.

16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.

    (1)  Articles of Incorporation of the Trustee.

    (2)  Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to commence
         business.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2) attached.

    (3)  Authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers.
         Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2) attached.

    (4)  By-Laws of the Trustee.

    (5)  Not Applicable.

    (6)  Consent by the Trustee required by Section 321 (b) of the Trust
         Indenture Act of 1939.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (6) filed
         with Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1 Statement, Registration No. 22-4501.

    (7)  Report of condition of Trustee.

    (8)  Not applicable.

    (9)  Not applicable.





                                       4
<PAGE>   5





                              SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
the Trustee, NBD BANK, a Michigan banking corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Michigan, has duly caused this statement of
eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Detroit, State of Michigan on the
10th day of February, 1995.

                                NBD BANK,
                                (Trustee)
                            By: /s/Terese M. DeClercq
                                -----------------------------
                                     Terese M. DeClercq       
                                  Assistant Vice President



                                       5
<PAGE>   6

                                   Exhibit #1

                                    NBD BANK
                               DETROIT, MICHIGAN
                                Charter No. 970
________________________________________________________________________________

                           ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

                           EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1995

   __________________________________________________________________________

FIRST.
The name of this Bank shall be NBD Bank.

SECOND.
The place where the principal office of this Bank is located is in the City of
Detroit, Wayne County, State of Michigan.

The Board of Directors shall have the power to change the location of the main
office anywhere within the City of Detroit without the approval of the
shareholders and shall have the power to establish or change the location of
any branch or branches of this Bank to any other location without the approval
of the shareholders.

THIRD.
The purpose of this Bank is to carry on the business of banking pursuant to the
Michigan Banking Code of 1969, as amended.

FOURTH.
The authorized amount of the capital stock of this Bank shall be 10,000,000
shares of common stock of the par value of $12.50 each.  The authorized amount
of the capital stock of this Bank may be increased or decreased from time to
time in accordance with provisions of the laws of the State of Michigan.

FIFTH.
The period for which this Bank is organized is perpetual.

SIXTH.
A Director of the Bank shall not be personally liable to the Bank or its
shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a Director,
except for liability:  (a) for any breach of the Director's duty of loyalty to
the Bank or its shareholders; (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c)
resulting from a violation of Section 43 of the Michigan Banking Code, as
amended; (d) for any transaction from which the Director derived an improper
personal benefit; or (e) for any act or omission occurring prior to the date
upon which this Article is duly adopted and filed as required by law.  If,
following approval of this Article by the shareholders, the Michigan Banking
Code is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting
the personal liability of





                                       1
<PAGE>   7





Directors, then the liability of a Director of the Bank shall be eliminated or
limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Michigan Banking Code, as
amended.  Any repeal, modification or adoption of any provisions in these
Articles of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article shall not adversely
affect any right or protection of a Director of the Bank existing at the time
of such repeal, modification or adoption.

SEVENTH.
These Articles of Incorporation may be changed or amended at any time by a vote
of the shareholders owning a majority of the stock of this Bank in any manner
not inconsistent with the provisions of law.





                                       2
<PAGE>   8

                                   Exhibit #2

                               STATE OF MICHIGAN
                             DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                         FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS BUREAU


                                 [STATE EMBLEM]


                           OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER



         I, Patrick M. McQueen, Commissioner, do hereby certify, that


                                    NBD BANK

in the City of Detroit, County of Wayne, State of Michigan, a financial
institution existing and operating under the provisions of the banking code of
1969, having satisfactorily complied with all statutory requirements obtaining
in such matter, is hereby authorized to exercise FULL TRUST POWERS as provided
in sections 181 through 186 of the banking code of 1969, effective 11:59 p.m.
on December 31, 1994.


[STATE SEAL]                      SIGNED AND SEALED this 21st day of
                                  DECEMBER 1994, at Lansing, Michigan.

                                         /s/ Patrick M. McQueen
                                  ------------------------------------
                                  Patrick M. McQueen
                                  Commissioner





<PAGE>   9

                                   Exhibit #4

                                    NBD BANK
                               DETROIT, MICHIGAN


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     BYLAWS

                           EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1995


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                   ARTICLE I
                             STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS

Section 1.  Annual Meetings.  The regular Annual Meeting of the stockholders of
this Bank for the election of directors and for the transaction of any other
business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held on the third
Monday in May of each year or at such other date as from time to time may be
designated by the Board of Directors.  If the election of directors shall not
be held on the day designated for an annual meeting, or at any adjournment
thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held at a
meeting of the stockholders as soon thereafter as convenient.  Nominations for
election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by
any stockholders entitled to vote for the election of directors.

Section 2.  Special Meetings.  Except as otherwise specifically provided by
statute, special meetings of the stockholders may be called for any purpose at
any time by the Board of Directors or by the holders of at least ten per cent
(10%) of the then outstanding shares of stock.  

Section 3.  Place of Meetings.  Annual meetings or special meetings of the 
stockholders shall be held at the main office of the Bank or at such other 
place within or without the State of Michigan as is established by the Board 
of Directors.

Section 4.  Proxies.  All proxies secured for any annual or special meeting of
stockholders shall be dated and filed by the Secretary with the records of the
meeting.

Section 5.  Notice of Meetings.  Written notice stating the place, day and hour
of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for
which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than ten days, before
the date of the meeting either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of
the President, or the Secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting
to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting.  If mailed,
such notices shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United
States mail, addressed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the
records of the Bank with postage thereon prepaid.  Such notice may be waived in
writing.





<PAGE>   10

Section 6.  Fixing the Record Date.  For the purpose of determining
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders,
annual or special, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order
to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose, the Board
of Directors shall fix in advance a record date and hour for any such
determination of stockholders, such date in any case to be not more than fifty
(50) days and, in case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten (10)
days prior to the date on which the particular action, requiring such
determination of stockholders, is to be taken.  When a determination of
stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as
provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment
thereof.

Section 7.  Stockholders' Action Without A Meeting.  Unless otherwise
restricted in the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action which
may be taken at the annual or any special meeting of stockholders may be taken
without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in
writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all stockholders
entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                   DIRECTORS

Section 1.  Size and Vacancies.  The Board of Directors shall consist of such
number of persons, not less than five nor more than twenty-five, as from time
to time shall be determined by a majority of the votes to which all
stockholders are at the time entitled or by resolution adopted by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.  Any vacancies in the
Board of Directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining
Directors between meetings of stockholders.  Subject to the limitation as to
the number of Directors, the stockholders may elect not to exceed two less than
the full Board, and the unfilled directorships shall be considered as vacancies
and may be filled thereafter by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.  Powers.  The Board of Directors, a majority of whom shall be a
quorum to transact business, shall have power to manage and administer the
business and affairs of the Bank and to prescribe Bylaws for the regulation of
the business of the Bank and the conduct of its affairs not inconsistent with
law, the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws.  Except as expressly
limited by law, all corporate powers of the Bank shall be vested in and may be
exercised by the Board of Directors.

Section 3.  Officers and Employees.  The Board of Directors shall have power to
elect or appoint such officers and employees as may be required to transact the
business of the Bank, to define their duties, to require bonds from them and to
fix the penalty thereof, and to continue them in office or dismiss them.

Section 4.  Meetings.  The regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be
held on such date and at such time each month, within or without the State of
Michigan as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors by
resolution, except that in the month in which the regular annual meeting of the
stockholders is held, the regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be
held following and on the same day as the regular meeting of the stockholders.
When





                                       2
<PAGE>   11

any regular meeting of the Board of Directors falls upon a holiday, the meeting
shall be held on such other day as the Board of Directors may previously
designate.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any
time by the Secretary or by any officer of higher rank than Vice President, or
any three Directors.  Notice of each special meeting shall be given personally
or by duly mailing, telephoning, or telegraphing the same, at least twenty-four
hours before the meeting.  Any or all Directors may waive notice of any meeting
either before or after the meeting.

Section 5.  Participation In Meetings By Telephone.  Unless otherwise
restricted by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the
Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board may participate in
a meeting of the Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar
communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the
meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 6.  Directors' Action Without A Meeting.  Unless otherwise restricted
by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or
permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any
committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if a written consent thereto
is signed by all members of the Board or of such committee as the case may be,
and such written consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board
or committee.


                                  ARTICLE III
                            COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Section 1.  Executive Committee.  There shall be a committee composed of not
less than four (4) members to be known as the Executive Committee which shall
consist of all the officer-directors of the Bank and two (2) other directors
appointed as shall be provided by the Board of Directors.  Provision shall be
made by the Board of Directors for the appointment of alternates to act for
members in the event of their absence or disability.

1.1      Presiding Officer.  The Chairman of the Board shall act as presiding
         officer at any meeting of the Executive Committee.  In the event of
         the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, the President
         shall act as presiding officer.  In the event of the absence or
         disability of the Chairman of the Board and President, another
         officer-director, if present, shall act as presiding officer.  If no
         officer-director member is present, an Executive Vice President of the
         Bank may serve as the presiding officer or the other members present
         at the meeting shall elect one of their members as presiding officer.

1.2      Quorum.  Any two (2) persons, each of whom is a member or alternate
         member of the Executive Committee, of whom not less than one (1) shall
         be non-officer directors, shall constitute a quorum for the
         transaction of business at any meeting of the Executive Committee.

1.3      Duties.  The Executive Committee shall function from day to day or
         such other short





                                       3
<PAGE>   12

         intervals as shall be found requisite and expedient in the carrying on
         of the business and affairs of the Bank, and between meetings of the
         Board of Directors, said Committee, within the scope of the
         jurisdiction and functions assigned by the Board of Directors to such
         Committee, shall have and may exercise, so far as may be permitted by
         law, all power and authority of the Board of Directors (including the
         right to authorize the seal of the Bank to be affixed to all
         instruments on which the same may be required or appropriate) and
         shall have power, but not by way of limitation of its general powers,
         to discount and purchase bills, notes, and other evidences of debt,
         and to buy and sell bills of exchange.  A record of the meetings of
         the Committee shall be kept, which shall be accessible to inspection
         by the Directors at all times, and the Committee shall, at each
         regular meeting of the Board of Directors and at such other times as
         the Board of Directors may request, submit in writing a full report of
         its actions.  The Board of Directors shall approve or disapprove the
         report of the Executive Committee, such action to be recorded in the
         minutes of the meeting; provided, however, that no rights of third
         parties shall be affected by any action of the Board of Directors, if
         such rights have attached by virtue of action of the Executive
         Committee within the scope of the jurisdiction and functions assigned
         by the Board of Directors to said Committee.

Section 2.  Audit Committee.  There shall be appointed annually by the Board of
Directors an Audit Committee composed of not less than three (3) Directors none
of whom shall be officers of the Bank.

2.1      Duties.  The Audit Committee shall:

         (i)     Cause to be made by the Auditing Department of the Bank a
                 suitable examination of the financial records and operations
                 of the Bank through a program of continuous internal audits.
                 The Committee may employ independent certified public
                 accounting firms of recognized standing to make such
                 additional examinations and audits as it may deem advisable.
                 The examinations caused to be made by the Committee shall meet
                 any examination requirements prescribed from time to time by
                 the Michigan Financial Institutions Bureau or other regulatory
                 authorities having jurisdiction and may be made in conjunction
                 with examinations of the Michigan Financial Institutions
                 Bureau.

      (ii)       Report to the Board of Directors at least once in each
                 calendar year the results of the examinations made and such
                 conclusions and recommendations as the Committee deems
                 appropriate.

Section 3.  Other Committees.  The Board of Directors may create and appoint
such other committees as it may, at any time or from time to time, find
necessary or desirable to facilitate and expedite the management and
administration of the affairs of the Bank.  The Board of Directors shall have
power to specify the number of members of any such other committee, to
designate the powers and duties of any such other committee, and to provide for
the tenure in office of its members, its method of organization, and its
procedure for the transaction of business.





                                       4
<PAGE>   13



                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    OFFICERS

Section 1.  Appointment and Titles.  The officers of this Bank shall include a
Chairman of the Board and a President and may include one or more Vice Chairman
of the Board, each of whom shall be a member of the Board of Directors, and
shall further include one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, one or more
Assistant Secretaries, and such other officers as may be from time to time
required for the prompt and orderly transaction of its business, to be elected
by the Board of Directors.  The same person may hold any two or more offices,
and in any such case, these Bylaws shall be construed and understood
accordingly; provided that the same person may not hold the offices of Chairman
of the Board and Secretary or President and Secretary.  The duties and
authorities of the officers of the Bank, other than those mentioned in these
Bylaws, shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, or as
may be designated by the Chairman of the Board, subject to the supervision and
direction of the Board of Directors.

Section 2.  Term of Office of Officer-Directors.  The Chairman of the Board,
the President and any Vice Chairman of the Board shall hold office for the
current year for which the Board of Directors of which they shall be members
was elected, unless they shall resign, become disqualified, or be removed; and
any vacancy occurring in any of such offices may be filled by the remaining
members of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.  Chairman of the Board and President.  The Chairman of the Board
shall be the chief executive officer of the Bank, shall preside at meetings of
stockholders and directors, shall have general supervision and direction of the
business of the Bank, and perform such other duties as may be designated by the
Board of Directors.  The President shall perform such duties as may be
designated by the Board of Directors and, in the event of the absence or
disability of the Chairman of the Board, shall have his powers and duties.  The
Vice Chairman of the Board shall perform such duties as may be designated by
the Board of Directors.

Section 4.  Officers.  All other officers shall be elected to hold their
respective offices at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Bank, and
shall have such duties, other than those mentioned herein, as shall be
prescribed by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.  Secretary.  The Secretary or Assistant Secretary or other officers
designated by the Board of Directors shall be responsible for stock books and
records, and other valuables of the Bank, and shall keep accurate minutes of
all meetings.  The Secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required
by these Bylaws to be given.  He shall be custodian of the corporate seal,
records, documents and papers of the Bank.  He shall provide for the keeping of
proper records of all transactions of the Bank.  The Secretary, or Assistant
Secretary in his absence, shall have the power to sign indemnity agreements and
appoint agents by executing powers of attorney or such other similar documents
deemed necessary in the ordinary course of transacting the Bank's business.  He
shall serve as Cashier, and he or his Deputy Cashiers shall have and may
exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or
practice, to the office of the Cashier, or imposed by these Bylaws.  He shall
also perform such other duties as may be assigned to him, from time to time, by
the Board of Directors.





                                       5
<PAGE>   14


Section 6.  Officers, Employees and Agents.  All other officers, employees and
agents of this Bank shall be responsible for all such sums of money and
property of every kind as may be entrusted to their care or placed in their
hands by the Board of Directors, or otherwise come into their hands as
officers, employees or agents; and shall qualify under the bankers blanket bond
covering the bank officers and employees, approved as to type and amount from
year to year by the Board of Directors, conditioned for the honest and faithful
discharge of their duties as such officers, employees or agents, and that they
will faithfully and honestly apply and account for all sums of money and other
property of this Bank that may come into their hands as such officers,
employees or agents and pay over and deliver the same to the order of the Board
of Directors, or to any other person or persons authorized by the Board of
Directors to receive the same.


                                   ARTICLE V
                                      SEAL

         The Board may adopt a seal of the Bank in any form including a raised
impression or a stamp bearing the name of the Bank and the city and state of
its principal place of business.  The Secretary shall be the official custodian
of the seal and shall be responsible for the safekeeping and proper use
thereof.  The seal shall not be used or affixed to any paper or document
whatsoever except by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, or such other
officers or employees of the Bank as may be authorized by the Secretary or any
Assistant Secretary to affix the seal.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                            EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS

Section 1.  Conveyance of Real Estate.  All transfers and conveyances of real
estate shall be made by the Bank, under seal, and shall be signed by the
President or any Vice President or any other officer, employee or agent of the
Bank as may be designated by the Secretary, and shall be attested by the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, or such other officer or employee of this
Bank as may be authorized by the Secretary to affix the seal.

Section 2.  Contracts.  All contracts, checks, drafts, etc., shall be signed by
the Secretary, or any officer of the rank of Vice President or higher rank, or
any other officer or employee designated by the Secretary.

Section 3.  Absence of Resolution.  No resolution of the Board of Directors
shall be necessary in order to authorize the execution, acknowledgement or
verification of any document by any officer who is authorized under these
Bylaws to do so, and he or she shall have full authority to act as if he or she
were duly authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors in each particular
case.





                                       6
<PAGE>   15


                                  ARTICLE VII
                                 BANKING HOURS

         The Bank shall be open for business upon such hours of each day of the
year as the Chief Executive Officer or his delegate shall from time to time
direct and the Chief Executive Officer or his delegate may, in his discretion,
prescribe different banking hours for different classes of business and
different banking hours for one or more branch offices, than prescribed for the
principal banking office.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  MINUTE BOOK

         The organization papers of this Bank, the returns of the judges of the
elections, the proceedings of all regular and special meetings of the Board of
Directors and of the stockholders, the Bylaws and any amendments thereto, and
reports of the committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in the
minute book and the minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the person
presiding at such meeting and attested by the Secretary.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                               TRANSFERS OF STOCK

Section 1.  Transfers.  The stock of this Bank shall be assignable and
transferable only on the books of this Bank, subject to the restrictions and
provisions of the law; and a transfer book shall be provided in which all
assignments and transfers of stock shall be made.

Section 2.  Record Date.  The stock transfer books of the Bank shall not be
closed for the determination of stockholders entitled to dividends, but any
dividend can be made payable to stockholders of record on the date such
dividend is declared, or any subsequent date.  The Bank shall be fully
protected in giving notices of meetings, paying dividends and doing such other
things as require a knowledge of the names of the stockholders of the Bank, in
relying upon the names of the stockholders as they appear upon the stock books
of the Bank.

Section 3.  Form and Issuance.  Certificates of stock, bearing the manual or
facsimile signature of the Chairman of the Board, President or any Vice
President, and the Secretary, or the manual or facsimile signature of any two
of such other employees of the Bank as may be designated for such purpose from
time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, and bearing the impressed
or facsimile seal of the Bank, may be issued to stockholders.  The death,
resignation, discharge or incapacity of any person whose manual or facsimile
signature appears on any certificate, shall not affect the validity of such
certificate of stock, whether such certificate has theretofore or is thereafter
issued.  All certificates of stock shall state upon the face thereof that the
stock is transferable only upon the books of the Bank; and when stock is
transferred, the certificates therefore shall be returned to the Bank,
canceled, preserved and new certificates issued.





                                       7
<PAGE>   16



                                   ARTICLE X
                              PROXIES AND CONSENTS

         Proxies to vote and written consent with respect to shares of stock of
other corporations owned by or standing in the name of the Bank may be executed
and delivered from time to time on behalf of the Bank by two officers, one of
whom shall be the Chairman, President, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice
President or a Vice President and the other of whom shall be the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary of the Bank; or by any other person or persons duly
authorized by the Board of Directors.



                                   ARTICLE XI
                                 TRUST DIVISION

Section 1.  Exercise of Fiduciary Powers.  All fiduciary powers of the Bank
shall be exercised through the Trust Division under the supervision of the
Trust Committee, subject to the Michigan Banking Code and subject to such
regulations as the Michigan Financial Institutions Bureau shall from time to
time establish.  All books and records relating to fiduciary activities shall
be kept separate and distinct from the other books and records of the Bank.

Section 2.  Officer in Charge.  The Trust Division shall be placed under the
management and immediate supervision of an officer in charge appointed by the
Board of Directors.  The duties of such officer shall be to cause the policies
and instructions of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer and the
Trust Committee, with respect to the fiduciary accounts entrusted to the Bank,
to be carried out, and to supervise the due performance of such accounts in
accordance with law and their terms.

Section 3.  Other Officers.  Any other officer specifically appointed for the
performance of fiduciary activities shall exercise such powers and perform such
duties as are prescribed by these Bylaws, or as may be assigned to them by the
Board of Directors, the chief executive officer or the officer in charge of
fiduciary activities.

Section 4.  Signature and Authentication of Instruments.  All instruments in
which the Bank is named as Trustee or in any other fiduciary capacity and all
authentications or certificates by the Bank as Trustee under any mortgage, deed
of trust or other instrument securing bonds, debentures, notes or other
obligations of any individual, association or corporation, and all certificates
as Registrar or Transfer Agent and all certificates of deposit for stocks and
bonds, interim certificates, trust certificates and any other certificates,
document or instrument requiring execution may be signed or countersigned in
behalf of the Bank by any Trust Officer or officer of equal or higher rank
specifically elected or appointed for the performance of fiduciary duties or
the Secretary or any officer of the rank of Vice President or higher rank or by
any other person appointed for that purpose by the Board of Directors.





                                       8
<PAGE>   17



Section 5.  Custody of Investments.  The investments of each fiduciary account
shall be kept separate from the assets of the Bank, and shall be placed in the
joint custody or control of not less than two of the officers or employees of
the Bank designated for that purpose by the Board of Directors.  All such
officers and employees shall be adequately bonded.  The investments of each
such fiduciary account shall be either: kept separate from those of all other
accounts, except as provided under the regulations of the Michigan Financial
Institutions Bureau for collective investment, or adequately identified as the
property of the relevant account.

Section 6.  Trust Committee.  There shall be a Trust Committee which shall be
composed of not less than five (5) members of the Board of Directors, at least
three (3) of whom shall be non-officer directors, and may include one or more
officers of the Bank who are not directors, appointed by the Board of Directors
to serve during its pleasure.  The Trust Committee shall have general
supervision of and shall determine the policies relating to the administration
of fiduciary relationships.  It shall have general supervision of the Trust
Division, the other committees to which the exercise of fiduciary powers of the
Bank are assigned, and the investment of funds and disposition of investments
held by the Bank in a fiduciary capacity.  It shall have such other powers and
duties relating to the administration of fiduciary accounts entrusted to the
Bank as may be conferred upon it from time to time by the Board of Directors.
The Trust Committee shall meet at least once a month and shall keep minutes of
its meetings showing the disposition of all matters considered and passed upon,
and shall make monthly reports to the Board of Directors.  Any three (3)
persons, each of whom is a member of the Trust Committee, of whom not less than
two (2) shall be nonofficer directors, shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at any meeting of the Trust Committee.


                                  ARTICLE XII
                                     QUORUM

  Except as otherwise provided by statute or in the Articles of Incorporation
or these Bylaws, a majority of all the stockholders or Directors, as the case
may be, shall be required to constitute a quorum to do business.  Should there
be no quorum at any regular or special meeting of stockholders or Directors,
the stockholders or Directors present may adjourn from day to day until a
quorum is in attendance.


                                  ARTICLE XIII
                         INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

   The Bank shall indemnify and reimburse any director, officer,  employee, or
agent to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Michigan, as
amended from time to time.





                                       9
<PAGE>   18


                                  ARTICLE XIV
                              AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

  These Bylaws may be repealed, altered, or amended, in whole or in part, by
the vote of a majority of the Directors, at any regular or special meeting of
the Board of Directors.





                                 CERTIFICATION


I, _________________________________, ________________________________ of NBD
Bank of Detroit, Michigan, certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy
of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of NBD Bank effective January 1,
1995.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this certification and caused the corporate
seal of the Bank to be affixed on _______________________, 19___ .


                                      _________________________________________
      



                                      10
<PAGE>   19

                                  Exhibit #7
Charter No. 13671                          Comptroller of the Currency District
                       REPORT OF CONDITION CONSOLIDATING
                   DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE
                                NBD BANK, N.A.
in the State of Michigan, at the close of business on December 31, 1994 pub-
lished in response to call made by Comptroller of the Currency, under title 12,
United States Code, Section 161.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  ASSETS                                            Thousands      
                                                                                    of dollars      
<S>                                                             <C>               <C>             
Cash and balances due from depository institutions                                                            
 Noninterest-bearing balances and currency                                                                    
 and coin   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                           1,546,846      
 Interest-bearing balances    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                             629,768      
Securities:                                                                                                   
 Held-to-maturity securities    . . . . . . . . . . . . .                           5,761,716      
 Available-for-sale securities    . . . . . . . . . . . .                           3,145,085      
Federal funds sold and securities purchased                                                                   
 under agreements to resell in domestic offices                                                               
 of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement                                                                    
 subsidiaries, and in IBFs:                                                                                   
 Federal funds sold   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                           1,438,650      
 Securities purchased under agreements to resell    . . .                             271,355      
Loans and lease financing receivables:                                                                        
 Loans and leases, net of unearned income   . . . . . . .        17,559,182                          
 LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses    . . . . .             220,593                          
 Loans and leases, net of unearned income and                                                                 
 allowance    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                          17,338,589      
Assets held in trading accounts   . . . . . . . . . . . .                             160,659      
Premises and fixed assets (including                                                               
 capitalized leases)    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                             306,814      
Other real estate owned   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                              15,945      
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and                                                     
 associated   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                   0      
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances                                                   
 outstanding    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                             185,794      
Intangible  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                              39,838      
Other assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                             652,461      
                                                                                 ------------      
Total   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                          31,493,520      
                                                                                 ============      
                                                                                                              
                                 LIABILITIES                                                                  
Deposits:                                                                                                     
 In domestic offices    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                          14,898,643      
   Noninterest-bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,158,675                          
   Interest-bearing   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        10,739,968                          
 In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement                                                                       
 subsidiaries, and    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                           5,823,286      
   Noninterest-bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            99,254                           
   Interest-bearing   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         5,724,032                           
Federal funds purchased and securities sold                                                                   
 under agreements to repurchase in domestic                                                                   
 offices of the bank and of its Edge and                                                                      
 Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:                                                                         
   Federal funds purchased  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                             923,503      
   Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   . . .                           1,702,458      
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury  . . . . . . . .                             488,179      
Trading liabilities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                              45,543      
Other borrowed money:                                                                              
   With original maturity of one year or less   . . . . .                           3,032,092      
   With original maturity of more than one year   . . . .                           1,349,897      
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations                                                              
 under capitalized leases   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                              16,167      
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and                                                       
 outstanding    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                             185,794      
Notes and debentures subordinated to                                                               
 deposits   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                             700,000      
Other liabilities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                             490,788      
                                                                                  -----------
Total liabilities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                          29,656,350      
                                                                                  -----------      
</TABLE>      


<PAGE>   20


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  EQUITY CAPITAL                        
<S>                                                                             <C>       
Common stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              111,858
Surplus   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              619,228
Undivided profits and capital reserves  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            1,218,410
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale 
 securities     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             (119,268)
Cumulative foreign currency translation                                                   
 adjustments    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                6,942
                                                                           ---------------
Total equity capital  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            1,837,170
                                                                           ---------------
Total liabilities and equity capital  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           31,493,520
                                                                            ==============
</TABLE>                                                     

   I, Jason N. Hansen, Second Vice President of the above-named bank do hereby
declare that this Report of Condition is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
                                  JASON N. HANSEN
                                  January 26, 1995
   We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this statement
of resources and liabilities.  We declare that it has been examined by us, and
to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with
the instructions and is true and correct.
                                  IRVING ROSE
                                  TERENCE E. ADDERLEY
                                  THOMAS H. JEFFS II
                                  Directors


                                      



<PAGE>   1



                                                                 Exhibit (25)(b)

                        Securities Act of 1933 File No. _________
                        (If application to determine eligibility of trustee
                        for delayed offering  pursuant to  Section 305 (b) (2))

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
                               ----------------
                                   FORM T-1

        STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO 
                     SECTION 305(b)(2) __________________
                                 -----------

                           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                            (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
             (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

                                  13-2633612
                   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

                 1 CHASE MANHATTAN PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
                  (Address of  principal executive offices)

                                    10081
                                  (Zip Code)
                               ----------------

                            CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
             (Exact  name of obligor as specified in its charter)
                                   MICHIGAN
       (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation  or organization)

                                  38-2726431
                     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                             FAIRLANE PLAZA SOUTH
                            330 TOWN CENTER DRIVE
                              DEARBORN, MICHIGAN
                  (Address of principal  executive offices)

                                    48126
                                  (Zip Code)
                      ----------------------------------
                               DEBT SECURITIES
                     (Title of the indenture securities)
                                                                                
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2





ITEM 1.  GENERAL INFORMATION.

                 Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

         (a)     Name and address of each examining or supervising  authority
                 to which it is subject.

                          Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.

                          Board of  Governors of The Federal Reserve System,
                          Washington, D. C.

         (b)     Whether it is authorized to exercise  corporate trust powers.

                          Yes.

ITEM 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.

                 If the  obligor  is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each
                  such affiliation.

                  The Trustee is not the obligor, nor is the Trustee directly
                  or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common
                  control with the obligor.

                  (See Note on Page 2.)

ITEM 16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

         List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of
         eligibility.
         *1. -- A copy of the articles of association of the trustee as now in
                  effect. (See Exhibit T-1 (Item 12),  Registration No.
                  33-55626.)
         *2. -- Copies of the respective authorizations of The Chase Manhattan
                  Bank (National Association) and The Chase Bank of New York
                  (National Association) to commence business and a copy of 
                  approval of merger of said corporations, all of which 
                  documents are still in effect.
                  (See Exhibit T-1 (Item 12), Registration No. 2-67437.)
         *3. -- Copies of authorizations of The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  (National Association) to exercise corporate trust powers,
                  both of which documents are still in effect. (See Exhibit T-1
                  (Item 12), Registration No. 2-67437).
         *4. -- A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee. (See Exhibit
                  T-1 (Item 12(a)), Registration No. 22-26320.)
         *5. -- A copy of each indenture referred to in Item 4, if the obligor
                  is in default. (Not applicable).
         *6. -- The consents of United States institutional trustees required
                  by Section 321(b) of the Act.  (See Exhibit T-1, (Item 12),
                  Registration No. 22-19019.)
          7. -- A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
                  published pursuant to law or the requirements of its
                  supervising or examining authority.


___________________

         *The Exhibits thus designated are incorporated  herein by reference.
Following the description of such Exhibits is  a reference to the copy of the
Exhibit heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, to  which
there have been no amendments or changes.



                              ___________________
                                       1.
<PAGE>   3




                                      NOTE

          Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the
trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2 the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

          Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an
amendment to this Form  T-1.



                                   SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank (National  Association), a corporation
organized and existing under  the laws of the United States of America, has
duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized , all in the City of New York, and the
State of New York, on the 13th day February, 1995.




                                        THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK 
                                        (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)




By__________________________             Mary Lewicki 
                                         Second Vice President





                               _________________
                                       2.
<PAGE>   4
                                   EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF CONDITION
Consolidating domestic and foreign subsidiaries of the
                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
of New York in the State of New York, at the close of business on September 30,
1994, published in response to call made by Comptroller of the Currency, under
title 12, United States Code, Section 161.
CHARTER NUMBER 2370                                 COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY
STATEMENT OF RESOURCES AND LIABILITIES              NORTHEASTERN DISTRICT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                  THOUSANDS
                                                 ASSETS                                                          OF DOLLARS
 <S>                                                                                    <C>                       <C>
 Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
     Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin                                                            $  5,329,799
     Interest-bearing balances                                                                                        7,247,035
 Held to maturity securities                                                                                          1,315,347
 Available-for-sale securities                                                                                        5,289,499
 Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell in
     domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and
     in IBFs:
     Federal funds sold                                                                                               3,043,701
     Securities purchased under agreements to resell                                                                     11,450
 Loans and lease financing receivable:
     Loans and leases, net of unearned income                                            $ 50,033,807  
     LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses                                              1,069,547  
     LESS:  Allocated transfer risk reserve                                                            
                                                                                        -------------  
                                                                                                    0  
                                                                                        -------------  
     Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve                                                48,964,260
 Assets held in trading accounts                                                                                     15,642,451
 Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)                                                             1,728,478
 Other real estate owned                                                                                                740,657
 Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies                                                     54,288
 Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding                                                           704,895
 Intangible assets                                                                                                      811,028
 Other assets                                                                                                         3,962,227
                                                                                                                  -------------
 TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                                       $94,845,115
                                                                                                                  =============
                                              LIABILITIES                                            
 Deposits:
     In domestic offices                                                                                          $  28,883,652
       Noninterest-bearing                                                              $  10,787,819
       Interest-bearing                                                                    18,095,833
                                                                                        -------------
     In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs                                                   34,739,997
       Noninterest-bearing                                                              $   2,533,081
       Interest-bearing                                                                    32,206,916
                                                                                        -------------
 Federal funds  purchased and  securities sold  under agreements  to repurchase  in
     domestic offices of  the bank and of  its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,  and
     in IBFs:
     Federal funds purchased                                                                                          1,958,837 
     Securities sold under agreements to repurchase                                                                     346,589
 Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury                                                                               418,219
 Trading liabilities                                                                                                 10,707,226
 Other borrowed money:                                                                                                        
     With original maturity of one year or less                                                                       3,314,023
     With original maturity of more than one year                                                                       252,491
 Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases                                                          40,761
 Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding                                                               708,649
 Subordinated notes and debentures                                                                                    2,360,000
 Other liabilities                                                                                                    4,126,966
                                                                                                                      ---------
 TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                                                                   87,857,410
                                                                                                                     ----------
 Limited-life preferred stock and related surplus                                                                             0
                                             EQUITY CAPITAL                                                                   
 Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus                                                                                0
 Common stock                                                                                                           914,334
 Surplus                                                                                                              4,625,213
 Undivided profits and capital reserves                                                                               1,445,029
 Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities                                                  (7,882)
 Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments                                                                     11,011
                                                                                                                   ------------
 TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL                                                                                                 6,987,705
                                                                                                                   ------------
 TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED STOCK,                                                                             
       AND EQUITY CAPITAL                                                                                          $ 94,845,115
                                                                                                                   ============
</TABLE>      

I, Lester J. Stephens, Jr., Senior Vice President and Controller of the above
named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition is true and correct
to the best of my knowledge and belief.
                                        (Signed) Lester J. Stephens, Jr.

<PAGE>   5

We the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this statement of
resources and liabilities.  We declare that it has been examined by us, and to
the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the
instructions and is true and correct.

(Signed) Thomas G. Labrecque
(Signed) Arthur F. Ryan                     Directors
(Signed) Richard J. Boyle


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