SALT LAKE CITY -- A spokeswoman for the Utah Public Service Commission says Rocky Mountain Power could face a legal battle with the state if the utility curtails electric service to its Utah customers because of the state's denial of the full amount of the company's rate-increase request.

Commission spokeswoman Julie Orchard says that state law requires the utility to provide adequate electric service to Utah customers.

The utility had sought a $74 million rate increase, but was awarded an increase of just $33.4 million by the PSC, an amount company officials said wasn't enough to meet the needs of a growing customer base.

Michelle Beck, director of the Committee of Consumer Services, criticized the Rocky Mountain Power for threatening to cut service and said the PSC gave careful consideration to each line item in the utility's request.

"If the utility doesn't have enough to run its business, then it's its own fault," she said.