These terms all refer to a body charged with managing or regulating one or more publicly-owned utilities in a given service area. Different regions and municipalities may choose different names for this body. These bodies could operate at a municipal, regional or state level depending on the locale, and they provide economic oversight, policy guidance and direction to the utilities in their jurisdiction. These commissions are responsible to the public, are usually open to public input, and are often managed by elected officials. A PSC may oversee a single utility, usually its electric service, or they may manage a collection of several utilities which could include water, roads, waste removal, parks and recreation, fire departments and ambulance service among others.

These terms are capitalized when referring to the PSC or PUC of a specific region or municipality. They are not capitalized when referring generally to bodies or agencies of this type.

See also: