Topeka ? Legislative leaders, Sunflower Electric Power Corp. executives and lobbyists met behind closed doors today to discuss ways to overturn state rejection of the two 700-megawatt coal-fired power plants in western Kansas.

“The main deal is we figure we have lost with one branch of the Kansas government and so we are going to do all we can with the other two branches to get this denial overturned,” Sunflower spokesman Steve Miller said after the more than one-hour meeting.

Last week, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ administration denied permits for the $3.6 billion plants proposed near Holcomb. In his order, Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment Roderick Bremby cited concerns about coal-burning gases that contribute to climate change.

The decision has been criticized by western Kansas legislators and Sunflower officials who say the plants would be among the cleanest burning coal-fired facilities in the nation, and boost the regional economy. They note neither the state nor federal governments regulate coal-produced carbon dioxide emissions.

The high-powered meeting occurred in the office of Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton. Attending were Morris and state Rep. Carl Holmes, R-Liberal, who is chairman of the House committee that deals with utilities. Sunflower president and chief executive Earl Watkins was present as were other Sunflower officials and legislative staff.

Morris described the meeting as an update on “where we stand.”

He added, “There are a number of us who believe that the secretary acted outside the scope of his authority to do this.”