Topeka State officials today extended the deadline for the public to comment on a proposed coal-fired power plant in western Kansas.

“Because of the significant interest in this issue, we feel it is important to extend the deadline to Dec. 15 to ensure that everyone interested will have an opportunity to make their thoughts known,” said Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Roderick Bremby.

The period to comment on the Sunflower Electric Power Corp. proposal to build three 700-megawatt plants in Holcomb was previously set to expire Thursday.

Now comments can be sent to KDHE postmarked no later than Dec. 15.

All comments should be submitted in writing to Rick Bolfing, KDHE Bureau of Air and Radiation, 1000 S.W. Jackson, Suite 310, Topeka, KS 66612-1366.

Earlier this month, a public hearing on the proposal in Lawrence drew so many people, the hearing had to be extended for a second night.

Later, the Lawrence city commission submitted a letter to KDHE opposing the issuance of permits for the proposed project.