Public utilities are essential services provided to the public, typically including water, electricity, natural gas, sewage, and telecommunications. These services are often regulated by government entities to ensure reliability, safety, and affordability for consumers. Public utilities can be owned by the government (publicly owned) or operated by private companies under governmental oversight (privately owned). Their primary purpose is to meet the everyday needs of the community and facilitate public health, economic development, and quality of life. Public utilities play a critical role in infrastructure and support the functioning of society by providing necessary resources for homes, businesses, and industries.
A severe storm impacted southeastern Australia, causing major power outages across several regions. Over 13,500 AusNet customers were affected in areas like Benalla, Wodonga, and Wangaratta. Lightning strikes were identified…