World · North America · 8 hrs ago
Alabama Power Seeks Order to Keep Landowner Out of Transmission Line Work Zone
Alabama Power is seeking a temporary order to keep Fenn Church out of its work zone as it builds a transmission line across his rural property in Shelby County, Alabama.
Church, a local property owner and trucking company operator, opposes the route across his wooded land and says the line should use places where owners have agreed to construction.
He believes the line will support data center infrastructure, though that purpose is not established in the case described here.
A judge previously blocked Alabama Power from entering Church’s property, finding that the company had not followed state procedures for taking the land and that Church was likely to succeed in his case.
The Alabama Supreme Court later stayed that injunction without giving a written explanation.
After crews cleared land up to Church’s property line, he refused to step back when a worker asked him to move 300 feet.
Alabama Power says the order it is seeking is needed to keep Church, visitors and crews safe while work continues; the case is before a Shelby County judge.
Alabama Power is seeking a temporary restraining order to keep Fenn Church and others out of a transmission-line work zone on his property.
The company says Church’s refusal to keep a safe distance puts him, visitors and crews at risk.
Church has opposed the line’s route across his rural property and says he is entitled to stand at its edge.
A judge previously blocked Alabama Power from accessing the property, finding the company likely had not followed state condemnation procedures.
The Alabama Supreme Court stayed that injunction on Oct. 21, and crews cleared land up to Church’s property line by Nov. 3.
- Who
- Alabama Power is seeking the order against Fenn Church and others. Church is a local property owner and trucking company operator.
- What
- The company seeks a temporary restraining order keeping them out of the transmission-line work zone.
- When
- The request was discussed at a Monday court hearing. The article was published Nov. 10, 2026.
- Where
- Church’s rural property in Shelby County, Alabama.
- Why
- Alabama Power says Church has not kept a safe distance from crews. Church opposes the line’s route across his property.
Alabama Power
Fenn Church
Work-zone safety
Alabama Power
The company says Church’s refusal to maintain a safe distance creates safety risks for him, visitors and crews.
Fenn Church
Church says he is entitled to stand at his property line and protect his property.
Transmission-line route
Alabama Power
Alabama Power says it is pursuing infrastructure investments to provide reliable service to customers across the state.
Fenn Church
Church says the line should use locations where property owners have agreed to construction and believes it will support data center infrastructure.
Judge Jonathan Spann issued a preliminary injunction preventing Alabama Power from accessing Church’s property.
The Alabama Supreme Court stayed Spann’s preliminary injunction without providing written reasoning.
Alabama Power crews cleared land up to Church’s property line.
Attorneys for Alabama Power and Church argued over the company’s request for a temporary restraining order at a Shelby County courthouse.
- Property owner
- Fenn Church
- County
- Shelby County, Alabama
- Supreme Court action
- Stayed the preliminary injunction on Oct. 21
- Work progress
- Crews cleared land up to Church’s property line by Nov. 3
- Safety distance requested by worker
- 300 feet
What people are saying
As a result of Mr. Church’s refusal to maintain a safe distance while crews are working, Alabama Power is seeking a temporary restraining order to keep him and others out of the work zone to ensure Mr. Church, visitors and our crews remain safe as work continues.
I’m going to stand in front of that gate and say, ‘This is my home, and I’m not letting you drive through that gate,’
Mr. Church has stood on the property line and said he’s ‘not going to let Alabama Power come onto my property,’
Mr. Church—over and over again—has said he wants to be arrested,