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.
Endwell is a hamlet located in the Town of Union in Broome County, New York, United States. Its population was 11,706 at the 2000 census. Endwell is adjacent to the Village of Endicott and the Village of Johnson City. It is west of Binghamton and is considered a suburb of that city. Endwell is the home of a popular local park, Highland Park, well known in the area for its annual Fourth of July fireworks display as well as its classic carousel. Endwell is also home to two well known local golf courses, Endwell Greens and the Binghamton Country Club. Endwell is the home of the 2007 New York State Little League Champions. Although most children residing in Endwell that attend public schools are served through the Maine-Endwell School District, some attend the Union-Endicott School District