The utility makes the case for taking money from the people with a rate hike. And the state Committee of Consumer Services defends the public - small business owners and residential customers - who will be asked to absorb more costs for essential services like electricity and natural gas.

But there's always been a place at the microphone at PSC hearings for the little guy with the thin budget who can't spare another dime for heat and electricity. You have the right, by rule of law and moral law, to file a request to intervene and confront utilities at a PSC hearing. You can question company witnesses, present evidence opposing the rate hike and review and analyze information the company uses to justify its request.

It's an option that, historically, few citizens have taken advantage of. But it's a right that's essential for the public to retain.

Unfortunately, John Q. Public could lose that place at the table. The PSC will conduct a hearing at 9:30 a.m. today at the Heber Wells Building at 160 E. 300 South in Salt Lake City to accept public comment on how to revamp the way it conducts formal public hearings. And Questar Gas Co., with more than 800,000 natural gas customers in Utah, has asked the commission to limit public participation in those hearings.

If the PSC sides with the company, citizens would essentially be forced to the sidelines. Members of the public - and especially consumer advocate and Questar bete noire Roger Ball - would be limited to offering their opinions on whether rate increases are fair, but could not analyze or offer evidence against the utility's rate rationale or question its witnesses.

For Questar, this fight is personal. Ball is the former executive secretary of the Committee of Consumer Services and a perennial stone in the gas company's shoe. Among other things, he has bitterly opposed the gas company's efforts to fob off on consumers the costs of processing gas to remove excess carbon dioxide. In an attempt to get rid of him a few years ago, Questar tried to kill off the committee at the Legislature. That didn't work, but Gov. Jon Huntsman eventually fired Ball.

Now, if Questar succeeds in limiting the public's voice before the PSC, it can silence him as a private citizen.

The PSC must not allow powerful utilities to muzzle their critics, whether it's Roger Ball or anyone else.