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

An easement in gross is a type of easement that benefits an entity rather than a particular piece of land. It typically allows one party the right to use someone else's land for a specific purpose. In this scenario, the utility company requiring access to a power line crossing the corner of Elizabeth's land is a clear example of an easement in gross.

Utility companies often hold easements in gross to run power lines, pipelines, or telecommunications lines, which allows them to maintain and access their infrastructure without owning the land itself. This type of easement is established for the benefit of the utility company and is not tied to the ownership of the property but rather serves a functional purpose for the company.

In contrast, while a government agency involved in land use monitoring, a neighbor wanting to build a fence, or a local environmental group may have interests in land use, they typically do not possess easements in gross, as their needs either pertain to restrictions, adjacent property rights, or community-focused intentions rather than a specific functional access or use of the land itself. Thus, the correct choice, reflecting an actual easement in gross, is the utility company's need for access.