Which type of easement is established for public utilities?

An easement in gross is specifically established for the benefit of a party without regard to ownership of adjacent land. This type of easement is often created for public utilities, allowing utility companies to access land for the installation, maintenance, and operation of infrastructure such as power lines, water pipelines, and sewage systems. The defining characteristic of an easement in gross is that it benefits a particular individual or entity rather than benefiting the land itself.

In contrast, easements by necessity are typically created when a property is landlocked and requires access to a road or another property. Prescriptive easements are acquired through continuous and open use of someone else's property over a certain period, while permanent easements are usually established for long-term use and may apply to a specific piece of land. These other forms do not apply specifically to public utilities as clearly as easements in gross do, which is why the former is the most fitting choice for this context.