A public utility is an entity that provides the general public with essential goods and services such as electricity, natural gas, energy, water, sewer, heat, telecommunications (telephone, fiber optic or broadband internet), railroad, and rail transit.

Public utilities (goods and services) are often provided by a public utility corporation that is essentially given a monopoly over the provision of the good or service in a certain geographic area—and exemption from antitrust and unfair competition laws—in exchange for certain governmental restrictions and regulations. Public utility companies are often regulated by a governmental Public Utility Commission (PUC).

The laws and rules that govern public utilities are usually located in state or federal statutes—depending on whether the utility is regulated by the state or federal government. For example, many states have a public utilities code—sometimes called a public utility regulatory act—or provide for public utility corporations and their regulation in the state administrative code. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is one example of a PUC at the federal level.

In New Jersey, public utilities are regulated entities that provide essential services such as electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications to the public. These utilities are typically granted a monopoly within a certain geographic area in exchange for agreeing to be regulated by the state government. The primary regulatory body in New Jersey is the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), which oversees the operation of utilities to ensure that services are provided safely, at reasonable rates, and without discrimination to consumers. The NJBPU is responsible for setting rates, handling consumer complaints, and ensuring that utility services are adequate and reliable. Additionally, the NJBPU regulates the environmental impacts of utilities and oversees the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. While the NJBPU handles state-level regulation, federal-level oversight is provided by agencies such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for interstate energy transmission and wholesale electricity rates. New Jersey's regulations for public utilities are codified in state statutes and the administrative code, which detail the powers and duties of the NJBPU and the obligations of public utility corporations operating within the state.