Utilities face security, competition as major issues

Making sure that power and water flow smoothly means more than the flick of a switch or the turn of a faucet. Competition, reliability and security are the major issues public utility companies and utilityrelated government agencies face in 2003. These agencies also are looking at ways to cut costs for consumers.

Lack of consumer choices for electricity, phone and water providers is an issue of importance for Irwin "Sonny" Popowsky, the consumer advocate of Pennsylvania on utility matters. "One issue is how to protect customers, particularly residential customers, in an era when there are so few choices," he said. 'Large business customers have more choices,, but that's not the …