"Today, these groups have no representation at the Public Service Commission," Dodge said. "Their utility bills help fund the residential ratepayer advocate, but they have no publicly funded advocate. Why is it fair for residential customers to have the only publicly funded ratepayer advocate?"

Because commercial, industrial and residential customers each absorb different increases when electric or natural gas rates are raised, Dodge said the groups need something similar to a consumer committee. For example, a current proposed $51 million rate hike by PacifiCorp would raise residential electricity rates by 3.8 percent, but general commercial customers are expected to see a 6.2 percent increase.

"We're trying to say we like what they have, we want one, too," Dodge said. "We welcome the opportunity to talk with people about it, answer questions and solve problems if we've created some problems with it."

The utility czar would work with at least four class advocates, each representing the four main customer groups of residential, commercial, industrial and other customers.

Each of the four class advocates would have the authority to appoint a five-person ratepayer committee, representing the interests of each customer class.

The bill has yet to be heard by a committee. Proponents and critics acknowledge that it is unlikely to go anywhere with so little consensus.

Dave Eskelsen, a spokesman for PacifiCorp, called HB320 a "far-reaching bill."

"Utah Power hasn't been a party to drafting it," Eskelsen said. "It would deal with and make changes in a government process that is vital to the state, and it should be given a great deal of thought and debate. It's difficult for Utah Power to say that electric consumers aren't protected, because rates are in the lower fifth of investor-owned utilities nationwide."

Gowans' bill has the same number as a bill five years ago that also attempted to eliminate the consumer committee.

Back then, Rep. David Ure, R-Kamas, sponsored his own HB320. It passed but eventually was repealed because of a backlash of criticism. Ironically, Democratic legislators at that time pushed for a complete repeal of Ure's HB320, one of the most debated issues of the 2000 session.

Dodge said the numbering of Gowans' bill was purely coincidental.

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Contributing: Bob Bernick Jr.

E-mail: danderton@desnews.com