Most TRSA companies tout themselves as environmentally friendly. Some undertake significant improvements aimed at limiting carbon output, while improving efficiency. Bates Troy Inc., Binghamton, NY, is one such company. This month’s column looks at their experience with combined heat and power (CHP) generation, aka cogen, and whether, from a business perspective, this green innovation is delivering ROI.

The answer from the Bates Troy management team, including President and CEO Brian Kradjian, is “yes.” But he cautions that like any other major investment, you must plan carefully and monitor systems like the cogen equipment that that Bates Troy has operated since ...