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.
Brevard is a town in Transylvania County, North Carolina, United States. The 2005 population estimate by the United States Census Bureau was 6,643. It is the county seat of Transylvania County. Brevard is located at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and has become a noted tourism, retirement and cultural center in western North Carolina. A moderate climate, environmental beauty and cultural activities attract relocators to the area. Brevard is the home of Brevard College a four-year liberal arts institution with nationally-recognized programs in music and environmental studies. The town also is home to Brevard Music Center, one of the nation's preeminent summer music teaching and performance institutions. Brevard also boasts an extensive local music and arts community. The city is nicknamed "The Land of Waterfalls" due to the many waterfalls in the area, including Looking Glass Falls, Connestee Falls, and Sliding Rock. The Mayor of Brevard is Jimmy Harris. To date he is the youngest Brevard Mayor to have been elected (age 37). He is currently serving his 5th term. Brevard is home to the Brevard White Squirrel Festival Approximately 25% of Brevard's squirrels are white squirrels, according to an annual survey conducted by the White Squirrel Institute.