Alabama man fights power line across 416-acre property; judge blocks crews

A landowner in Shelby County, Alabama, has won a temporary court order stopping utility crews from clearing land on his 416-acre retirement property. The order has paused construction work on part of a major regional power project. Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Spann issued a preliminary injunction blocking Alabama Power from entering Fenn Church's property. The utility plans to build a 125-foot-wide right of way for a new 74-mile power line. The court order requires Church to post a $10,000 bond while his larger legal challenge moves through the courts. The ruling stopped power company contractors who had already started clearing trees and earth about 500 yards from Church's property line in Calera. According to local television station WVTM 13, Judge Spann said Church could face immediate and irreparable harm if crews continued working before the dispute received a final ruling.