Judge rules in favor of big business over the press, for now

A judge is siding with Alabama Gas Corp. and blocking a newspaper from publishing information about the utility's safety plan for gas lines. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Robert Vance granted a request by Alagasco to temporarily prevent the Montgomery Advertiser from using information it says it received from the Alabama Public Service Commission. Vance issued an order Thursday saying he'll hold a hearing Monday on whether his order should stand. The newspaper says the ban is unconstitutional prior restraint. It says much of the information in the document already is available publicly. But the utility says releasing details contained in the document could endanger public safety. The Advertiser says the PSC gave it a copy of the company's Distribution Integrity Management Plan in response to a public records request.