Are there any laws related to the regulation of public utilities?
Yes, there are laws related to the regulation of public utilities in North Carolina. The state’s Public Utilities Act (PUA) outlines how utility providers are regulated. The Act is based on the principle that utilities are key to the public health, safety, comfort, and welfare and should be held accountable to their customers and the public. The PUA requires utilities to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) from the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) to operate in the state. The PUA also requires that utilities obtain a franchise from local governments before operating in a municipality. Additionally, the Act provides for the condemnation of private property for utility use and for the enforcement of safety standards on these utilities. The North Carolina General Assembly also has the authority to regulate the rates of public utilities and to pass laws that protect the interest of consumers. The NCUC reviews rate requests regularly and makes sure that they are in the public interest. Finally, the North Carolina General Statutes provide for local governments to regulate the operation of public utilities in their respective jurisdictions. This includes the ability to enter into contracts with utilities, set reasonable rates, and levy reasonable service charges. As such, local governments have the power to regulate public utilities in North Carolina in accordance with the laws of the state.
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