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.
Bustins Island is an island in eastern Casco Bay, Maine. The island has approximately 115 summer cottages. Bustins Island operates its own ferry, the Lilly B, that debarks in Harraseeket harbor in Freeport. Typically, the Lilly B operates from Memorial Day Weekend through Columbus Day Weekend. Although physically located within Freeport, Maine, the Bustins Island Village Corporation is a self-governing entity.