Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) provides electricity to 13.3 million customers in Japan's Kansai region. The utility has a generating capacity of more than 33,850 MW, which is produced at more than 160 hydroelectric, fossil-fueled, and nuclear power plants. As deregulation takes effect, KEPCO is moving into new business arenas, including retail natural gas sales in Japan. Additionally, KEPCO is engaged in information technology, telecommunications, construction and engineering services, environmental services, home security, real estate, transportation leasing, and other energy-related operations. It has about 50 main affiliated companies, primarily in Japan.

Enerchina Holdings focuses on offering a variety of energy and public utility services in about 40 cities in China. The company generates electrical power, as well as provides more than 400,000 tons of natural gas every year through Panva Gas Holdings. Panva also offers pipeline network construction, transportation, storage, and wholesale of natural gas. Enerchina Holdings serves more than 3 million customers. The company is researching and developing other clean energy sources, including different uses of coal. Chairman Ou Yaping owns about 52% of Enerchina Holdings.

Equisol, LLC can't part seas, but it can see to it that water is flowing correctly through the water/wastewater systems at companies. Equisol specializes in supplying water and wastewater products, equipment, and services to industrial, governmental, and commercial industries nationwide. Serving mainly medium to large-sized companies, Equisol does everything from supplying pumps and chlorinators to designing and installing water/wastewater systems. Additionally, the company offers their customers consulting, training, emergency response, and various other services. In 2009 powder coating and technology business Xiom Corp. acquired the company.

NorthWestern, once a holding company for several energy-related businesses, is now blowing in one direction only -- providing power and gas through regulated utilites. Through its NorthWestern Energy subsidiary, the company provides electricity and natural gas to about 661,000 customers in Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota. In Montana it delivers electricity to approximately 335,000 customers in 187 communities and surrounding rural areas, 15 rural electric cooperatives, and in Wyoming to the Yellowstone National Park. NorthWestern delivers gas to 180,100 Montana customers. In Nebraska and South Dakota it sells natural gas to 85,5100 customers.

Terasen Gas is the largest natural gas distribution company in British Columbia. A Fortis subsidiary, it is the third-largest gas utility in Canada and the largest natural gas distributor in the Pacific Northwest. The utility serves 940,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in 125 communities in BC. Terasen Gas also provides gas transportation services to wholesale customers, operates a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, and pipes propane products to select areas of the province. Terasen Gas serves mainland British Columbia;Terasen Gas (Vancouver Island) serves Vancouver Island, the Powell River and the Sunshine Coast; and Terasen Gas (Whistler) provides natural gas to the town of Whistler.

The Electric Power Board of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is a mouthful. Its operating name, Nashville Electric Service (NES), sounds much better. And talking of sound, the legendary "Nashville Sound" would be hard to hear without the resources of this power distributor, which serves more than 357,000 customers in central Tennessee. NES is one of the largest government-owned utilities in the US, and operates more than 90,500 distribution transformers and about 230 substations. The company is required to purchase all its power from another government-owned operator, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

Bristol Water Group, one of the largest independent water suppliers in the UK. Through primary operating subsidiary Bristol Water plc, the group supplies water to about 500,800 customers, representing a population of more than 1.1 million. Bristol Water maintains about 6,600 km. of mains in a service territory that encompasses some 2,400 sq. km., and includes Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire. The group has completed its disposal of its nonregulated operations and is focusing on its core regulated water business.

Volunteer Energy Cooperative is voluntarily cooperating with its members to serve their energy needs. The distribution utility serves more than 108,000 customers (who also own the cooperative) in 17 central and eastern Tennessee counties. It operates more than 8,400 miles of power lines. Volunteer Energy purchases its power supply from the Tennessee Valley Authority. The company also sells propane and provides telecommunications (Internet access and long-distance phone) services. In addition, Volunteer Energy offers its customer surge protection and security equipment.

As Sgt. Joe Friday would say: "Just the facts, Ma'am." There are 88 cities in Los Angeles County, and Glendale Water & Power serves one of them. Glendale is the third-largest city in the county, with 200,000 people (about 100,000 foreign-born). Glendale has three hospitals, one health center, 30 parks, and six libraries. The utility generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to 88,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Glendale. The city-owned utility also provides water to 32,500 customers. Glendale Water & Power purchases water from as far away as 500 miles.

The Dakota Electric Association delivers electricity to residents of southeastern Minnesota, the Gopher State , so they don't have to burrow underground for those long, cold winters. The member-owned utility serves more than 100,000 customers in portions of Dakota, Goodhue, Rice, and Scott counties south of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The co-op gets its power wholesale from transmission cooperative Great River Energy and distributes it over 3,720 miles of power lines, nearly two-thirds of which are buried. Dakota Electric is pushing energy efficiency programs and products to help save its customers money.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.