Users blast Con Edison as foe of cogenertion

Cogenerators claim that Consolidated Edison (Con Ed) Company's refusal to sell them extra power on demand is hurting the efficiency of their operations. Cogenerators depend on parallel service from the utility because it is difficult to produce electricity and steam in exact amounts. By refusing to buy excess power, Con Ed forces users to produce less than they can use and buy a larger share. Con Ed is challenging the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), which requires utilities to connect with cogenerators and provide parallel service. Utility opposition is based on the high use of diesel fuel and natural gas in New York City, and has developed a rate for standby power that users consider prohibitive. Con Ed also opposes a plan to give natural gas allocation priority to cogenerators. (DCK)