The planned Coolimba power station in the state's Midwest is a step closer to approval, but the state environment watchdog has demanded the project bypass two rare plant species.
Project proponent Aviva Corporation Ltd yesterday welcomed the EPA's recommendations as a step toward ultimate approval by environment minister Donna Faragher.
If approved, the 400-450 Megawatt power station will rise 15 kilometres from Eneabba.
However, the EPA has not yet released its report on Aviva's related Central West Coal project.
Also, Aviva will have to replan a 20km long, 100 metre wide gas and electricity service corridor which the EPA said could risk the survival of two rare plants.
The report found that building the corridor could destroy up to 10 per cent of the rare Tetratheca nephelioides shrub species and two per cent of the vulnerable Eucalyptus johnsoniana tree species existing in the area.
Less than 2000 of each of these plants survive in the wild, and the EPA considered the proposed work could risk their long term viability.
The EPA recommended the corridor bypass existing stands of the plants. The report is subject to a two-week appeal period.
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