CALERA, Ala. — Fenn Church and Alabama Power go before a Shelby County Circuit Court judge at 1:30 p.m. today to decide whether Church can be barred from his own land while the utility clears a path for a transmission line.
Alabama Power seeks a temporary restraining order requiring Church and visitors to stay at least 300 feet from clearing work on his 416-acre property outside Calera. The hearing is before Judge Jonathan Spann, the same judge who granted Church a preliminary injunction Sept. 22 barring the company from the property.
The Alabama Supreme Court stayed that injunction Oct. 21, and crews began clearing Oct. 22. Church says they have cut dozens of oaks across about 200 yards.
The dispute is over the Autaugaville-East Pelham 230 kV transmission line, a 74-mile, $248 million project running from Montgomery to Birmingham that must be in service by May 2027. Church’s parcels make up 0.55 miles of the route, which the company calls the last link in the chain.
On Nov. 3, Election Day, crews approached Church’s land with four bulldozers, two excavators and two tub grinders. Church, who lives on the property, refused to move.
“I’m not stepping past my line right here,” Church told them, according to AgWeb. “Yall can have me arrested.”
Alabama Power says it secured easements on the property and filed for the restraining order as a last resort to give effect to the Supreme Court’s ruling so work can continue safely. The company halted work when Church would not move to a safe location.
Church says the company first offered $80,000 in January 2025 for a permanent easement. Court records list later offers of $132,000 in September 2025 and $194,000 in May 2026. In August, a probate court awarded Church $425,435 for the easement and access road rights. Church appealed.
Church also says a neighboring landowner has offered Alabama Power an alternative route across adjoining land. Alabama Power says Church has not submitted a formal route-change request for that route and that an earlier proposal was declined because it would have added about 0.4 miles and six angle points.