ATLANTA - A state judge is considering whether to overturn the air permit that would allow a coal-fired power plant to be build near Sandersville.

A coalition of environmental watchdog groups want Judge Ronit Walker to reject the permit because they say it would allow Plant Washington to emit too many hazardous pollutants. Walker said she plans to issue a ruling by Dec. 20.

Attorney John Suttles of the Southern Environmental Law Center faulted the modeling used by regulators and the consortium Power4Georgians LLC, which is developing the plant.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Diane DeShazo said Georgia's environmental regulators acted within the bounds of the law when they approved the permit.