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.
Kosciusko is a city in Attala County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,372 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Attala County. Kosciusko is located on the Natchez Trace Parkway, northeast of Jackson. It is named for the Polish general Tadeusz Kościuszko, who assisted United States military efforts during the American Revolution. However the Anglicized name of the township omits the "z". Kosciusko was originally named Red Bud Springs for one of three natural springs that were present in the city. Kosciusko is the home of Magnolia Bible College, and the birthplace for several notable people, including Oprah Winfrey.