Questar Gas spokesman Chad Jones said the utility's recommendation, which calls for legal representation "as the general rule," is not an attempt to silence customers.

"We want to hear from our customers, preferably personally first," Jones said. "We think there are plenty of avenues provided by the Legislature for customers to intervene in a hearing if they want to. ... There seems to be a number of arguments out there based on a false premise, that anything Questar proposes would be detrimental to its customers. We're looking out for our customers."

Jones points to Utah's natural gas rates, which in 2005 were the second lowest in the nation, behind Alaska, according to a report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That alone, Jones said, is proof that the utility is doing its job.

Still, residents seemed reluctant to believe that Utah's regulators or the utility could be trusted.

"Questar wants Utah customers to shut up and keep out of its business," said Wally McCormick, a Salt Lake resident. "It's my money that's going into that business, and I have a say on where my money goes. If they don't feel that they can accept that, they can move out of the area and we'll get somebody else to come in and take over."

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E-mail: danderton@desnews.com