David Giambusso reports in Politico New York that Con Edison is getting criticism over a proposal to make more solar power available for low-income customers. The state's private generators, represented by the trade group Independent Power Producers of New York, argue Con Ed's plan would curb free-market solar generation. "Energy services should be provided cost-effectively by private developers on a competitive basis rather than by transmission and distribution utilities through rate-of-return regulation," IPPNY president Gavin Donohue wrote in comments submitted to the state on Jan. 3. Independent contractors chosen by the utility would create three megawatts of solar on Con Edison property, eventually transferring ownership of the solar assets to Con Ed. The power company thinks the program is benign. "We designed our program to ensure that no customer will pay more for participating. If power prices decrease, customers will benefit from that drop," spokesman Allan Drury said. Read the full story in Politico New York.