Utility panels overhauled

Roger Ball, executive director of Utah's Committee of Consumer Services utility watchdog group, was fired Wednesday as part of an ongoing shake-up in Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s new administration.

Consumer advocates expressed outrage over the firing, while committee members remained more cautious. However, the committee's new interim director, Leslie Reberg, pledged to earn trust and work to strengthen the voice of the consumer in public utility matters.

"I'm very excited about the opportunities this position presents," said Reberg, a longtime Democrat and player in Salt Lake County politics. "I look forward to earning the committee's trust and working with them to further their mission."

Ball, who had served in the position for eight years, said he was stunned by the action. He said he was told he had 20 minutes to gather his personal items and leave the building.

Russell Skousen, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce, said the firing was the result of a transition team process that recommended that Ball be removed. Skousen said he concurred with the recommendation.

"This is a new administration," Skousen said. "We want people that we can work with and getting a fresh set of eyes on things. It's part of a new team. It's always tough to let people go."

But Ball said his dismissal ultimately would affect consumers. "This isn't about me," Ball said. "This is about the committee. This is about the ability of the committee independently to represent the interests of small utility consumers as frankly and fairly as utilities and large industrial consumer customers are able to represent their interests. . . . This action simply undermines consumers."

The six-member committee was created by the Utah Legislature in 1977 and is charged with protecting the interests of consumers and small businesses. Dee Jay Hammon, the committee chairman, said it has saved ratepayers roughly $1 billion since 1978, the year it was formed.

Skousen noted that Reberg was named interim executive director to replace Ball, pending the concurrence of the committee. Reberg said she understood if there are questions or concerns about the change.

"I have the utmost respect for all (the committee) has accomplished," Reberg said. "Utah should be proud that it has a statute that put this committee in place, to give voice to residential consumers, small businesses, rural and agricultural consumers who may not have the opportunity to weigh in on important issues.