New England Online > Geography > Utilities & Services
Utilities & Services
The provision of basic utility supply is a major function of the government. The production, distribution and supply of New England's electricity and water needs are the exclusive remit of the state. Similarly, postal and telecommunication services are provided on a government owned network, and see a major influence from the government in their day to day operations. While competition is strong in the retail markets of most utilities (the Royal Post is a monopoly), none of these companies have an interest in the generation and distribution of the utility they sell.
Assets
Electricity - Power is generated by a number of sources in New England. Policy has dictated a move away from fossil fuels and toward a preference for clean energy like hydro, geothermal, wind and solar power. New England is unique in that all electricity is supplied by underground cable, instead of conventional power lines.
Telecommunications - New Englanders are lucky in having one of the most modern phone and internet networks in the world. This is fortunate, as New England is among the highest per capita users of the internet services on the face of the planet. A number of companies compete to provide phone and internet services to customers across the nation.
Water - In the years after independence, water supply steadily dwindled as the population grew. Alternative supplies were sought out, with recycling of water two or three times not uncommon. Today, most of the country is joined in a single water grid, allowing for supply to areas with low water supplies during drought.
Postal Services - The distribution and sale of domestic postal services in New England is the exclusive function of the Royal Post. The Royal Post has offices in almost every community across the country, and functions a major hub for the transaction of business and mail between businesses and individuals alike. The cost of mail distribution is funded in part by stamp sales, which for small packages start at fifty shillings.
Regulation
All of New England's utility sectors are subject to regulation. The distributors, all of whom are crown statutory agencies, are kept in check by the National Ombudsman, with an appeals process regulated by the Civil Administration Court. The regulation of prices is decided by the government, with the Utility Pricing Commission settings prices for electricity, water, phone and internet charges, and postage stamps.
The retail sector is regulated a series of statutory authorities, with an appeals process set by the judiciary. The retail regulators include the Communications Regulations Commission and the Electricity Regulation Commission. The commissions ensure that consumers are receiving what they paid for at a fair price and within the industry agreed standards for product installation or repair.
