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.
Walnut Cove is a town in Stokes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,465 at the 2000 census. It is the home of the Walnut Festival which draws many walnut lovers to the area. It also houses historic Monitor Roller Mills and a portion of North Camp Lake. Walnut Cove is also home to South Stokes High School whose team mascot name honors the native American Indian Saura tribe. Belews Lake and Hanging Rock State Park are located nearby.