Topeka ? Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Roderick Bremby will announce a decision this week on the pending air quality permits for the two proposed 700 megawatt coal-fired plants in western Kansas.

Bremby will make the announcement through a prepared statement released to the media at 3 p.m. Thursday, KDHE said.

The proposed $3.6 billion plants near Holcomb have been the subject of months of controversy.

Supporters say the plants will boost the Kansas economy and provide long-term inexpensive power.

Opponents say the coal-produced carbon dioxide and other emissions will harm the environment and Kansans’ health.