How are public utilities regulated?

Public utilities are entities that provide essential services to communities, such as electricity, water, sewer, and gas. In Georgia, these entities are regulated by the Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC is responsible for ensuring that public utilities provide safe, reliable, and affordable services to customers. The PSC does this by setting and enforcing laws, rules, and regulations that guide the activities of public utilities. For example, the PSC determines the rates and fees that public utilities can charge their customers and sets limits on how much profit a utility can make. The PSC also ensures that public utilities comply with environmental protection laws, such as those concerning air and water quality. Furthermore, the PSC has the authority to investigate complaints against public utilities and to impose penalties if it finds that a utility has violated the law. If a customer believes that his or her utility company has not provided adequately safe, reliable, or affordable services, the customer can file a complaint with the PSC. The PSC will then conduct an investigation to determine if the utility has violated any laws, rules, or regulations. Public utility regulation helps protect customers from unfair practices or dangerous conditions, and provides a system for ensuring that public utilities provide safe and reliable services to everyone in Georgia.

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