Topeka ? State environmental officials are seeking public comment on a proposed change in the permit given to Sunflower Electric Power Corp. to build an 895-megawatt coal-burning electric generating plant in southwest Kansas.

Further work on the permit was required because of a Kansas Supreme Court ruling in October.

The court overturned the permit and sent it back to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, telling the agency that the permit must comply with Environmental Protection Agency regulations on one-hour emission limits for nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

Public comment on the addition to the permit will continue through Feb. 19.

The proposed project has been the topic of disputes for more than six years.

Under the proposal, Sunflower Electric would manage the facility while most of the electricity produced would go to customers of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association in Colorado.

Proponents of the plant say it will bring crucial jobs and economic development to western Kansas. Opponents say the plant will pollute, draw down water reserves and provide electricity that won’t benefit Kansas.

KDHE said public comments can be:

— Mailed to Christy Thurman, KDHE Bureau of Air, 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 310, Topeka, KS 66612-1366;

— Submitted by email to SunflowerComments@kdheks.gov; or

— Presented orally or in writing during a public hearing at 5 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Garden City High School Auditorium, 2720 Buffalo Way Blvd.