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                                                                 EXHIBIT (99)(a)


     DEARBORN, Mich., December 6, 1999 -- CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE:CMS)
announced today that its utility subsidiary, Consumers Energy, has reached
agreement with a broad coalition of Michigan industrial and commercial
customers, other utilities and independent power producers to support specific
legislation on electric restructuring in Michigan.

     The legislation provides for customer choice of power supplies by January
2002 and ensures full recovery of stranded costs by utilities. It also provides
for a three-year rate freeze for all customers of the utility who choose to
remain with the utility as their electric supplier. As a result of Consumers
Energy's agreement with its customers on the legislation, ABATE (a coalition of
Michigan industrial and commercial customers) and Consumers Energy today filed a
request that the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) suspend an ABATE
electric rate complaint proceeding at the MPSC pending the enactment of the
proposed legislation which is expected to be considered during the first quarter
of next year.

     The joint press release of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the
Michigan Manufacturers Association announcing the broad support for this
legislation is attached.

     CMS Energy Corporation has annual sales of about $6 billion and assets of
about $14 billion throughout the U.S. and in 22 countries around the world with
businesses in electric and natural gas utility operations; independent power
production; natural gas pipelines, gathering, processing and storage; oil and
gas exploration and production; and energy marketing, services and trading.

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For more information on CMS Energy, please visit our website at:
www.cmsenergy.com/