Officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment answered questions Tuesday night about a plan to build a landfill north of Lawrence.

The public meeting, which drew one nearby neighbor, focused on Westar Energy’s proposal to build a 57-acre landfill on its property at 1302 N. 1800 Road. Westar’s current landfill is scheduled to close in 2007. The new one could open in 2008.

The power company burns 2.3 million tons of coal a year at the Lawrence Energy Center, and it needs a larger space to dump the ash left from coal combustion.

The Douglas County Commission approved the project last year, but Westar still needs a permit from KDHE. The state agency now will begin an in-depth review of Westar’s application that will include a period for public comment.