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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A bill that would strip some of the power from a state-sponsored citizens committee that addresses utility matters has passed out of the Utah Senate.
Senate Bill 214, sponsored by Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, was approved 21-8 on Monday and now goes to the House.
The measure would make the Committee of Consumer Services, which represents the interests of Utah consumers and small business owners in rate cases and other matters, an advisory group.
Utah consumer advocate Claire Geddes says the bill is an attempt to silence the committee and make it easier for the state's utilities to raise their electricity and natural gas rates.
Valentine says the bill would simply codify suggestions made in a review of the committee done by the Office of the Utah Legislative Auditor General.
Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
