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.
Lawrence is a village in Van Buren County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,059 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Lawrence Township. Home of noted journalist Paul Garrod and the annual Ox Roast and Homecoming festival. Area recognized Farmer's Market runs June-October annually in the Village Park. Location of the Van Buren Intermediate School District campus and Conference Center. Certified Business Park.