TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A new coal-fired power plant in southwest

Kansas is on track to get a state environmental permit by the end

of the year.

A spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and

Environment confirmed Thursday that the agency has decided to set a

public comment period so that a permit decision can be made by the

end of the year.

If the state issues a permit by the end of the year, new federal

greenhouse gas rules taking effect Jan. 2 won’t apply.

Hays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corp. wants to build the

plant outside Holcomb in Finney County.

State Sen. Janis Lee, a Kensington Democrat and backer of the

project, says there was concern over whether the permitting process

would last longer.