The Pound Ridge couple who filed a lawsuit against New York State Electric and Gas in August 2012 shared their story with a national audience during a recent appearance on ABC's 20/20.
Entitled "Home Sweet Home: What Lies Beneath," Friday's episode showcased residents around the country—from southern Oregon to north-central Kentucky to the suburbs of New York City—facing less-than-ideal housing situations.
One couple discovered their recently-purchased fixer-upper home was formerly a suspected crystal meth lab and is filled with toxins. Another family is dealing with frequent and loud noises from a nearby airport.
In the case of Dr. Harold and Millie Mendelson, a large power station located about 100 yards behind their home is allegedly creating stray voltage. The random zaps cause "intense" headaches and "a fear so strong they've refashioned their lives with rubber," Harold and a glove-wearing Millie tell 20/20.
At a press conference in October 2012, the Mendelsons spokes to reporters and state elected officials. They said they want to move from the home they've lived in for 25 years.
The couple is seeking $2.3 million in damages—the cost of their home and the wooded six acres on which it's situated—from NYSEG. At the time of the press conference, the company would not provide a comment specific to the Mendelsons' situation because of the litigation.
NYSEG denies the couple is entitled to damages, 20/20 reports.
Click here to watch the episode.
