JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A decision that will determine whether a proposed power plant can be built in Cape Girardeau County will likely not be made until December.

For almost two years, Colorado-based Kinder Morgan Power Co. has been seeking approval to build a 530-megawatt facility near Crump, Mo. However, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources denied the company a permit to operate the plant. The department claimed the company had not met its burden of proving that the installation of equipment to reduce pollution isn't economically feasible.

The company appealed and a four-day hearing in the case was held in early May. The hearing officer, St. Louis lawyer John K. Springborn, originally was expected to make a recommendation to the state Air Conservation Commission in July. However, the date of that presentation repeatedly has been delayed.

Springborn notified the commission on Thursday that due to illness his recommendation wouldn't be ready until the commission's Oct. 24 meeting at Kirksville, Mo.

DNR spokeswoman Kyra Moore said that after receiving a recommendation, the commission typically issues a ruling at its next meeting, which in this instance will be Dec. 5 at Osage Beach, Mo.

The company claims the installation of the anti-pollution equipment would be cost prohibitive, increasing the plant's annual operating expenses by $916,000.