### Question
Can you define what service obligation means?


### Answer
**Service obligation** is defined as the following in *16 U.S.C. § 824q*:

> a requirement applicable to, or the exercise of authority granted to, an electric utility under Federal, State, or local law or under long-term contracts to provide electric service to end-users or to a distribution utility

#### Citation:
  - *16 U.S.C. § 824q*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 12-FEDERAL REGULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF POWER > SUBCHAPTER II-REGULATION OF ELECTRIC UTILITY COMPANIES ENGAGED IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE**

