Liens can be placed on a property regardless if there is a mortgage or not. And until it is satisfied, you will not be able to sell your property. This is why I have always paid for title search and insurnace regardless of whether it was required or not. I had a subcontrator call me and tell me he was going to put a lien on my house for non-payment by the prime. Worried I consulted a lawyer, who told me that he could not place a lien on my house in Alabama becasue he and I didn't have a contract. This is different than it was in VA, - mechanics liens could be placed on houses when the builder still owned the house, and if you wanted to buy, you had to satisfy those liens. I had a boss that decided to forego the title search and insurnace and ended up entangled in liens that were placed by subcontractors. It took years, lawyers and $$$ to get it all untangled.
I personally woudn't play chicken with the power company. They have more money and legal resources than the average person, and I suspect they win most of time.
I am wondering about this 90 foot grant - woud a title search uncover whether this is true or not?