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.
Clinton is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. Clinton was formerly known as Surrattsville until the time of the American Civil War. The population of Clinton was 26,064 at the 2000 census. However, as of 2007, there is an estimate of 35,096. The postal code for Clinton is 20735. Clinton is historically known for its role in the American Civil War concerning the Abraham Lincoln assassination. Clinton is adjacent to Camp Springs, Rosaryville, also known as Melwood, and Andrews Air Force Base. Brandywine is less than 15 miles southeast of Clinton.