State environmental officials will conduct three public hearings, including one in Lawrence, on the proposed permit for three 700-megawatt coal-fired electric plants in Holcomb.

The hearing in Lawrence will take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 16 in the Malott Room of the Kansas Union, 1301 Jayhawk Blvd.

Earlier hearings by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will be at 7 p.m. today in Garden City and at 9 a.m. Thursday in the Curtis State Office Building in Topeka.

Sunflower Electric has applied for an air quality construction permit for the project. A public comment period will run through Nov. 30.

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