Elizabeth's property is encumbered by an easement in gross with which of these entities?

An easement in gross is a specific type of easement that benefits an entity rather than a piece of land. When a property is encumbered by an easement in gross, it typically grants rights to a specific party, which is often a corporation or government body, allowing them to use the property for a particular purpose. The utility company is the most common example of a party that would hold an easement in gross, as they may require access to property for purposes such as running power lines, installing infrastructure, or maintaining utility services.

In this context, choosing the utility company makes the most sense because they often have ongoing needs for access to private property to maintain their systems, which is the primary characteristic of an easement in gross. Entities like neighbors, state governments, or local business owners could potentially have different types of easements, typically related to the use of adjacent properties or land. However, they do not fit the criteria of being an easement in gross as precisely as the utility company does.