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.
Syria is an unincorporated community in Madison County, Virginia, United States. It lies along the Old Blue Ridge Turnpike, adjoining the southeast border of the Shenandoah National Park. Its ZIP Code is 22743. Geographical coordinates are 38°29'17.10" N, 78°19'36.40"W.