The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has approved a revised permit for expansion of a coal-fired power plant in Southwest Kansas.
The permit is for expansion of Sunflower Electric’s hotly-contested plant near Holcomb.
The Kansas Supreme Court last year mandated tighter controls on air pollution from the proposed expansion, requiring it to meet hourly limits.
The original permit called for three-hour averaging of emissions.
The approval comes just before the EPA is expected to announce new restrictions on greenhouse gases from existing power plants.
Sunflower released a prepared statement, saying the permit changes are still being reviewed. The Sierra Club says if Sunflower proceeds with the project, member coops will face huge rate increases.