A federal judge in Texarkana said Thursday he would take up at a later date a request to stop construction of a coal-fired power plant east of the city.
U.S. District Judge Harry Barnes met with lawyers for opponents of the plant and Southwestern Electric Power Co. But instead of considering the opponents' request for a temporary restraining order, the judge set a June 4 hearing date to consider arguments and testimony in the case.
Swepco has begun some site work on the $1.3 billion plant near Fulton. Opponents want to stop it from being built, saying it will hurt the environment. The Hempstead County Hunting Club filed the lawsuit.
The group accuses Swepco of failing to obtain the necessary permits for construction.
Swepco has a permit from utility regulators and limited permission from environmental regulators. The company is awaiting an air-quality permit.
From The Associated Press
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