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.
Maurepas is an unincorporated community in the south/southwestern area of Livingston Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is also known as Head of Island to local residents. It is surrounded by Lake Maurepas, Bayou Pierre, the Amite River, Blind River, and Petite River. Another waterway located adjacent to Maurepas, is the Amite River Diversion Canal, which has quickly become a desirable residential area due to the water access. The area of Maurepas is located along the Livingston Parish/Ascension Parish line. There are multiple restaurants, boat launch facilities, and small stores which helps residents from having to travel a far distance to buy supplies. Lake Maurepas is located to the west of Lake Ponchartrain, Louisiana's largest lake. The area has one school, Maurepas High School, which ranges in grades from PK-12. There is also a small number of Churches in the area.