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.
Beloit is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2000 census, Beloit had a population of 35,775. Its 2007 estimated census was 37,710. The greater Beloit area is home to more than 91,000 residents. Beloit is the home of Beloit College. It is also home to a Hormel plant, a Frito Lay plant, the world's largest can of chili, and the Beloit Snappers baseball club of the Midwest League. Beloit lays claim to such inventions as the speedometer,Korn Kurls, and John Francis Appleby's twine binder. Korn Kurls, which resemble present day Cheetos, are credited for the founding of the snack food industry.