Topeka ? Legislative leaders today pushed for the proposed coal-fired electric plants in western Kansas and formed a panel to look into why the state hasn’t approved the project yet.

They also said if Kansas rejects the twin, 700-megawatt plants near Holcomb, they may be built in Colorado.

“We feel like enough time has elapsed that we should have a decision,” Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, said.

Sunflower Electric Power Corp. has proposed developing the plants adjacent to its existing facility.

The permits for the plant are being considered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

But supporters of the project say KDHE, which closed public hearings on the proposal late last year, has taken too long to act on the permits, and they fear that the agency may reject the project.

Morris said the Sunflower project would have a beneficial impact on the economy of western Kansas. He also said if Kansas rejects the project it may be built right over the Kansas line in Colorado.

“So we would still suffer the environmental impact without any economic benefit,” House Majority Leader Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell, said.

Environmentalists oppose the project, saying the plants’ emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants will contribute to climate change and health problems.

KDHE has defended its process of considering the permits and said it will have a decision this month.