National Grid Wants To Expand Its Easement On My Property In Upstate Ny. How Is An Ordinary Homeowner Supposed To Fight This Without Going Broke?

I’m hoping someone here has dealt with National Grid, utility easements, eminent domain, or property rights in New York because I’m honestly at my wit’s end. I own over 20 wooded acres in Upstate NY. My house sits back in the woods for a reason. I value my privacy, my trees, and the peaceful surroundings I’ve worked hard to maintain. National Grid already has an existing powerline easement out back the entire length of my property. Now they want to expand it, remove mature trees, and install THREE transmission Monopoles on my land. My backyard is only about 125 yards from the opposite side of existing powerlines. Right now, I can’t see the existing towers because of my trees. If this project goes forward as proposed, I’m going to lose that privacy and have to look at three to 6 poles visible from my house, 3 of which will be put on my land

And their offer for the additional easement rights and 3 monstrosities? Approximately $3,800.

I’ve been dealing with this for over a year and am am on my THIRD right-of-way agent. I’ve repeatedly tried to get answers about why they can’t expand on the opposite side of the existing powerline where nobody lives instead of coming closer toward my house.

I initially allowed them onto my property because I was trying to understand the scope of the project after months of getting the runaround, but have since told them stay off. I had to kick them off once. I’ve contacted the New York State Public Service Commission. They specifically advised me in writing that approval of the project does NOT automatically give National Grid rights to my land. I’ve contacted countless attorneys. I’ve run into conflicts of interest involving National Grid, firms that don’t handle this type of case, and attorneys who simply cannot help.

I finally found an attorney willing to consider representing me. The retainer is $2,500, the hourly rate is $450, and I could also payfor surveying and other expenses. The attorney warned me that fighting an eminent domain proceeding could cost tens of thousands of dollars, with National Grid potentially getting the additional easement anyway. How is an average homeowner supposed to afford that?!??!? I don’t want to give them any more land or additional easement rights.

I’m exhausted. I’ve cried. I’ve been beyond upset and I feel like I’m getting nowhere.

I’m genuinely looking for advice/ info:

Has anyone successfully challenged or modified a National Grid easement expansion in New York?

Can a utility be required to explain why it chose one side of an existing corridor instead of the other?

Has anyone managed to get poles relocated or tree clearing reduced?

How do you get an independent evaluation of the impact on property value, mature trees, and privacy?

Are there NY property-rights organizations, advocacy groups, or attorneys who handle these cases on a contingency, fixed-fee, or limited-scope basis?

Has anyone challenged a utility’s entry into a proposed easement area before the additional rights were acquired?

I should not have to go broke just to understand and protect my property rights. If anyone has dealt with this or knows where I can turn for actual help, I would sincerely appreciate it.

Location: New york

New