Public utilities provide electric, gas, water or telephone service to customers in a specified area. Utilities have a duty to provide safe and adequate service on reasonable terms to anyone who lives within the service area on without discriminating between customers. Because most utilities operate in near monopolistic conditions, they can be heavily regulated by local, state, and federal authorities. Generally, the local and state agencies are called Public Service Commissions (PSC) or Public Utility Commissions (PUC). Municipal Utilities and Rural Electric Cooperatives may be unregulated though.
Stockton is an unincorporated community in Lanier County, Georgia, United States. In 2007, it had an estimated population of 1,680. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 6.10 percent. Stockton is located in the far southern portion of the state on U.S. Highway 84, near Valdosta and Lakeland. The surrounding area produces tobacco, turpentine, pine lumber, and pulpwood. Moody Air Force Base is located nearby, and transport is provided mainly by U.S. Route 84 and U.S. Route 129. Stockton is located near the Alapaha River and CSX Transportation runs through Stockton at least twice a day. Stockton's zip code is 31649.