## Public Utilities
Utilities in New York vary by region. Some services are investor-owned, some municipal, and some provided by public authorities or cooperatives.
### Electricity Major electric utilities include: - **Con Edison** — serves New York City and Westchester areas. - **National Grid** — serves large parts of upstate New York and Long Island gas service areas. - **NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas)** — serves many upstate communities. - **Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E)** — serves the Rochester region. - **Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)** with operations managed by **PSEG Long Island** — serves most of Long Island. - **Municipal utilities** — some cities and villages operate local systems.
### Natural gas - **Con Edison** - **National Grid** - **NYSEG/RG&E** - Other local service arrangements depending on county and municipality.
### Water and wastewater - Water service is generally provided by **municipal water departments, county authorities, or local districts**. - New York City's water system is managed by the **NYC Department of Environmental Protection**. - Many upstate cities and towns rely on **reservoirs, lakes, rivers, and groundwater systems** managed locally. - Wastewater treatment is commonly run by **city, town, county, or special district utilities**.
### Waste and recycling - Solid waste collection is a mix of: - Municipal sanitation departments - County solid waste authorities - Private haulers - Recycling rules differ by locality. - The **New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)** provides statewide guidance.
### Telecommunications and internet - Service availability varies between dense urban corridors and rural areas. - Providers commonly include major national and regional cable, fiber, and mobile carriers. - Broadband expansion remains a policy issue in some rural and remote communities.
### Power reliability and weather considerations - Winter storms, heat waves, flooding, and remnants of tropical systems can disrupt service. - In some regions, residents prepare for: - Snow and ice outages - Coastal storm impacts - Flood-related infrastructure interruptions
### Tips for residents and businesses - Check utility websites for outage maps and billing assistance. - Review local recycling rules; they are not uniform statewide. - In rural areas, verify water source and broadband service before relocating. - In flood-prone areas, ask about backup power and utility resilience plans.