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.
Cumberland is a city in Barron County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 2,280 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Cumberland. Cumberland is known as "The Island City" because it is nearly surrounded by the waters of Beaver Dam Lake. Cumberland is known for hosting the "Rutabaga Festival" each year, always the weekend preceding Labor Day weekend. This popular festival features live music, carnival rides, food, a parade with the seven time state winning Marching Band, and a variety of other events.