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.
Ararat is an unincorporated community in the Long Hill Township of Surry County, North Carolina. Ararat is situated on, and is named for, the Ararat River. Ararat is along the former Atlantic & Yadkin Railway line from Mount Airy to Rural Hall that is now operated by the Yadkin Valley Railroad. Landmarks near the center of the community include the community post office, fire department and area churches.