This is incorrect. Nearly all transmission and most distribution in the US is done with three phases. Commercial and industrial access to three phase is very

This is incorrect. Nearly all transmission and most distribution in the US is done with three phases. Commercial and industrial access to three phase is very common, though this will vary by region/utility. Residential access is less common, but not that unusual. In some places, you just call up the utility, tell them what equipment you'll be using (i.e. what amperage you'll require) and provided it's enough demand to justify it, they'll run the lines at no or minimal cost. Residential split phase is usually based on pole-mounted transformers that serve a limited number of customers. They are, themselves, operated off the three-phase distribution.