Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. summarily fired the Committee of Consumer Services director two years ago because he sided with customers rather than utility companies. Simply put, he kept Utahns' power bills down.

But Ball didn't fade away as Questar, Qwest and Pacificorp executives had hoped. With an encyclopedic memory of Utah utilities history, he continues to fight for anyone who uses hot water, the telephone or lights.

This time, Ball has irritated Questar with his probing, but unlawyerly, questions about the gas company's plans to hike homeowners' bills $1.7 million a year. Questar wanted the money to help rural communities pay for gas service. The Public Service Commission ultimately rejected the idea.

Ball's argument apparently was legitimate. But his method of questioning - both the company's motives and the advice offered by state attorneys - raised their hackles. Coincidentally, the Public Service Commission decided now is the time to review their rules for formal rate hearings.

Under one "more efficient" model offered by Questar, customers would only be able to offer their opinion about whether a rate increase was fair. They could not file requests to intervene or question Questar's witnesses, present evidence or review information the company doesn't want released. Anyone who wanted to challenge a rate increase would have to hire a lawyer. "It's Roger Ball this week. It's everybody from here on in," says Ball.

This all feels disturbingly familiar. Questar's new effort to quash public comment is just the latest strategy to make it easier to raise gas bills.

Eight years ago, the gas company's lobbyist wrote legislation that combined two of the three state bodies that regulate utilities, eliminating the Committee of Consumer Services - the one specifically charged with looking out for small businesses and residents. Ball calls that bill the company's "agenda for this decade."

The resulting public outcry forced intraparty challenges of several Republican legislators, reduced bill sponsor Kamas GOP Rep. Dave Ure to tears on the House floor and killed Questar lobbyist Rulon Gill's campaign for the Legislature. Lawmakers quickly repealed the most offensive portions of the law. It's still called the "Questar bill." No explanation necessary.

But the company has rebounded. Gas executives' blatant assault on the public's right to debate prices comes from the sure knowledge that they can bend politicians to their will. It's the same preening confidence that led the company to overreach in 2000.

Ball says Questar's endgame is simple: maximizing profits. And that means they'll do anything to make you and me pay more.

I'm glad Ball is on the case.

walsh @sltrib.com