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.
The Colony is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States. The population was 26,531 at the 2000 census. The current population is estimated at just over 40,000 residents. The Colony is home to the 5 Star Athletic Complex, which was completed in 2003. The Colony was named the Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Sports Town of The United States in that same year. The city is home to Pizza Inn's corporate headquarters, as well as an Edward Don distribution center and a variety of small and medium-sized businesses. Located on the southeast side of the city, across from 121 Toll Road, is Austin Ranch, a mixed-use development consisting of retail businesses, apartments and condominiums.