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.
Manitowish Waters is a town in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 646 at the 2000 census. It is best known for its chain of lakes. During the summer, the population increases dramatically as tourists come from all around the Midwest. It is also known as an artists' enclave, with many artist studios and gift shops located in the town square and surrounding areas. Another tourist attraction is the ski team, the Skiing Skeeters, who perform free shows two nights a week throughout the summer.