Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of electricity and steam heat from a single fuel such as natural gas.
Dow Chemical Co. spokesman Gary Black said some of the chemicals on the train were going to the Midland Cogeneration Venture, in which Dow and Consumers Power Co. are partners.
Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of electricity and steam heat from a single source, such as natural gas, generally for less cost than the price charged by the local utility.
It will also save on nitrogen emissions. Cogeneration's growth in the past decade owes a lot to the development of technology, much of it in the UK, which makes it affordable to relatively small electricity consumers.
"PURPA has changed the rules of the game in the electric utility business," writes Michael J. Zimmer, president of the Cogeneration Coalition of America Inc., in a letter responding to the March 31 article.
Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of electric power and steam from a single fuel, such as natural gas or garbage.
Cogeneration plants manufacture steam and electricity simultaneously by burning one fuel.
Cogeneration of the type practiced by large firms such as Simpson can be highly efficient.
CMS Energy Corp. said it will receive notes with a face value that could go as high as $1.57 billion in its sale of Midland, Mich., plant assets to the Midland Cogeneration Venture.
Cogeneration plants typically generate electricity and steam for an industrial site, often provide steam to a nearby customer, and may have excess electrical power capacity to sell.