Fenn Church blocks Alabama Power access amid easement lawsuit in Calera

Homeowner Fenn Church stood in front of a gate on his Calera, Alabama, property Thursday, refusing to let Alabama Power trucks drive through and saying he would be arrested if the utility tried to force his way in. He told reporters he would “stand in front of that gate and say, ‘This is my home, and I’m not letting you drive through that gate,’” and that he was prepared to go to jail.

The standoff is part of a larger dispute over Alabama Power’s plan to build a 500‑kilovolt transmission line that will cross several rural neighborhoods on its way from a new substation near Birmingham to the Gulf Coast. The utility says the line is needed to meet growing electricity demand and to replace aging infrastructure. The state Public Service Commission approved the route last year, but dozens of landowners have challenged the decision, arguing that the line will damage property, harm wildlife and set a precedent for more aggressive use of eminent domain.

Church’s property sits on a 30‑foot right‑of‑way that the utility wants to turn into a gated access point for maintenance crews. He has filed a lawsuit claiming the easement was obtained without proper notice and that the gate would restrict his ability to use his own land. Alabama Power has offered to pay a modest compensation package, but Church says the amount does not reflect the loss of privacy and the potential devaluation of his home. Local officials have expressed concern about the growing tension, and environmental groups have joined the protest, saying the line could threaten nearby wetlands.

A judge is set to hear the case next month, and both sides are preparing for a possible injunction that could halt construction until the dispute is resolved. If Church wins, it could force Alabama Power to renegotiate easements with other homeowners and slow the project’s timeline. If the utility prevails, it may clear the way for the transmission line, a key piece of the state’s energy plan, but it could also fuel further resistance from property owners across the region.