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.
Arden is an unincorporated area located in southern Buncombe County, North Carolina, in the United States. Arden is approximately considered the area between Skyland and Fletcher near the Henderson County line. Arden's ZIP Code is 28704. The community is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. Arden is home to Glen Arden Elementary school, located at 50 Pinehurst Cir, Arden, NC 28704. Arden is also home to the private boys Episcopal school, Christ School.